Is your Resume ATS-friendly?

When you submit a resume online, you're likely to come across an ATS or Applicant Tracking System. It's a scanner to sort relevant keywords, skills, and experience related to the job you applied for, and can often be a blocker for job seekers trying to get noticed. 

ATS read resumes, scan for keywords that match the job requirements and sort big batches of applications. If your resume doesn't contain enough relevant keywords or it wasn’t formatted correctly then chances are a robot might filter-out your resume meaning it may not get seen by a hiring manager. 

Here's the good thing — you can beat the robots 🤖 by optimizing and tailoring your resume. 

Check this practical guide (tips + bonus leads) to make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

1. Include magic words from the job description

Read and review the job description, then add relevant or technical keywords in your resume. This way, the chances of the robot scanner to pick your resume increases! 

2. Crush it with simplicity 

For the robots, “the simpler, the better”, make sure your formatting is simple and consistent. A great resume uses easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri and Times New Roman so that AI won’t get a headache reading your resume. 

3. Stick with bullet points 

Divide your experience into chunks. Style with bullet points to highlight your winning-skills and experiences. It will be easier for the ATS or the ~ robots ~ to scan your resume.

4. Add math to your resume

Let’s do some math! Highlight your experience with specific, quantifiable achievements that will definitely make your resume stand out and make an impression not just to the robots but to your human recruiters too. 

5. Proofread like a boss 

Double and triple check your resume. It’s a big no for the ATS when they see spelling and grammar mistakes, so make sure your resume is error-free. Check these grammar lessons for your resume writing! 

6. Make it PDF-tastic! 

Don’t forget to save the right formatting file! Save your resume in a compatible format like PDF to make sure it's ATS-friendly.

Remember, getting past the ATS is just the first step to landing your dream job. But with these practical tips, you'll be able to stand out from the crowd and catch the attention of human recruiters! So, beat the robots and impress the humans with your resume! 

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Looking for jobs? Apply your ATS-friendly resumes to these latest job opening now on Rise!