How to Get Your Resume Past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - 2019

How to Get Your Resume Past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - 2019 Spread the loveNearly all resumes submitted online today are scanned with an ATS. To earn more interviews, you need to appeal to these computer scans and this article will show you how. There are 10 things you need to consider.Well cover everything you need to know about these Applicant Tracking Systems and how to get your resume past the most popular ones including BambooHR or Zoho.What is an ATS? (Applicant Tracking System)These Applicant Tracking Systems, commonly referred to as resume robots, scan your resume for keywords, experience, and education before the document is ever seen by human eyes. If the ATS determines that the resume is an appropriate match for the position, it is approved for human review.Lets learn a bit more about who uses these systems and how they work, as this will help us craft a resume that can beat the bots.How Do Companies Use Applicant Tracking Systems?The use of Applicant Tracking Systems has increased dramatically in the last few years.As shown in the image above, over 95% of large companies and over 50% of mid-sized companies use an ATS.So what does the ATS look for in your resume?The ATS algorithm scans for keywords that are related to the advertised job. It also scans for information related to your work experience and education.  If the ATS determines that your resume is a good match for the position, it gives you a high ranking. This ranking improves your chances of being seen by a recruiter and ultimately landing the interview.Here is a popular ATS resume analyzer called Taleo, which demonstrates how an employer sees candidates for a particular job opening:As you can see, the ATS judges the candidates to the best-matched position and are given higher ranking.Why is it so important to optimize your resume for an ATS?Your resume is up against a lot, so optimizing your resume for ATS scans will give you the best chance of getting noticed by an employer.Let’s take a look at some numbers. Here are some statistics that show wh at your resume is up against when you apply for a job.Source: Inc.comSo out of 250 resumes sent, 75% are deleted by Applicant Tracking Systems. Of the remaining candidates, 4-6 will be interviewed and one person will get a job offer.Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Enough with these scary statistics â€" how the heck do I get my resume past the bots? Is it possible to beat applicant tracking systems?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 tips to get your resume past the ATS!ATS Resume Checker  We also have a tool that lets you scan your resume with an actual ATS:ATS Resume Checker10 Tips to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)1. Use resume keywords correctlyThis is one of the most crucial elements to not only get your resume past the ATS, but to ensure that it gets a high ranking as well.The software is designed to scan for keywords that relate to the job and industry. A good place to start would be the job description. If you’re going for a job within a particula r industry, you should already have identified the major keywords that relate to that industry or the position that you seek.If you need some guidance, you can look at a few job descriptions which will help you decide which keywords to include in your resume.Lets take a look at a job description for an accounting position and see what keywords we can use:Position:  We are seeking an Accounting Assistant to report and record ticket sales, prepare deposits and reconcile bank accounts. Dealing with any ticketing accounting situations is a major function of this position.Responsibilities:Prepare and verify daily reportsComplete  daily income/sales report and prepare daily journal entryDaily deposits of ticket sales receiptsReconcile bank account for ticketing officeCommunicate with ticketing managers and others working on the ticketing systems problemsPrepare authorized refund vouchersCompile monthly reportsPrepare monthly balance sheet schedulesQualifications:Bachelors in accountingFam iliarity with Oracle and Microsoft Excel is a plusFrom this job description, we can include the following keywords on your resume:Bank account reconciliationJournal EntriesBalance SheetMicrosoft ExcelOraclePrepare daily, weekly and monthly reportsYou can include these keywords in a core competencies or skills section.Example of using keywords for an ATS scan:One thing thats just as bad as not having the correct keywords is over-using them. Many applicants try to stuff as many resume keywords as they can in hopes of beating the ATS and earning a high ranking.Nice try! It won’t happen. The ATS will reject an overstuffed resume as quickly as it would a resume with insufficient keywords. Work on finding the right balance in your resume.2. Format your resume correctly for ATSStick to a traditional resume format at all times. This ensures that your resume can be scanned by the ATS and that it is easy for a recruiter to read. There are three basic resume formats acceptable for use:Revers e-chronological (most popular) This is the most popular resume format and is ideal for someone who has a good work history and is staying in the same line of work. We wrote a post on how to write an awesome chronological resume here.Functional This resume format is ideal for those who have large employment gaps or plan on switching industries. A functional resume format allows you to lead with skills and qualifications instead of work experience. You can also find our article on writing a good functional resume here.Hybrid This is a combination of a reverse-chronological and a functional format. It allows you to use the best features of both formats. However, if you have large employment gaps or very little experience, you should avoid this format.Example of an ATS-Friendly Resume:Here is a good example of a chronological resume formatted for ATS:3. Send the correct file typeApplicant tracking systems need to be able to scan and read your resume. The safest way to ensure that you r resume will be read is to submit it in a Doc file. (Microsoft Word)Even though many of the systems are now advanced enough to read a PDF, you should still send a Doc file to be on the safe side. A Doc file is the preferred file type for both ATS and many recruiters.You should also always check the job description to see if the employer wants a certain file type. Often times, employers will specify a certain file type, so you should always have a .doc and .PDF version of your resume on file.4. Label sections on your resume correctlyYou need to ensure that the system can read all the sections of your resume correctly. Label your resume sections properly, using subheadings such as work experience, education, and interests.Verify that the location, position, and length of employment information that you provide is clear and consistent throughout your resume.If your layout is not done properly, the ATS may have trouble identifying where you worked, what you did, and how long you were t here. Here is an example of a good layout for work experience:Ensure all other labels on your resume are correct. Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications so ATS can understand the start of each a new section. Here is a post on  headers and sections to include on a resume.  5. Use a popular and professional font for ATS scanningStick to a professional font that an ATS can process.This is not only important for enabling the ATS to process your application correctly, but is also vital for retaining a recruiter’s interest. You have to remember that if a recruiter reviews your resume, it will be a major turn-off to see a font like comic sans.The best fonts to use for your resume are:ArialCalibriGeorgiaHelveticaWe have a post on the best resume fonts here you may want to check out so you can choose the right one for you.6. Avoid fancy designs, colors and imagesOkay, this ties in with formatting, but its something we need to mention because we see it so often.Don’t put fancy colors, images or fonts on your resume. Not only does it create a problem for the ATS, but recruiters hate it as well!Here is what career expert Allison Green says:“There have always been a small number of job applicants who do this, and it is a really, really bad idea. It makes them look naive and unprofessional, raises questions about why they think you’d want to see their photo, and just generally … no.”Source: Allison GreenThere you have it. Stick to a professional resume format as discussed in Tip #2.7. Avoid spelling and grammar errors like the plague!58% of resumes contain spelling and grammatical errors, according to a CareerBuilder survey.Spelling errors can cause a resume to be automatically rejected. The majority of recruiters will also dismiss a resume even if it contains only a single error.Microsoft Word is not enough to correct all of your spelling and grammatical errors. You should read over your resume a couple of times and even have a friend or pr ofessional look it over.8. Spell out abbreviationsAvoid abbreviating words, titles or certifications on your resume. If you do abbreviate, make sure you spell out the abbreviation as well. Example:CPA: WrongCPA (Certified Public Accountant): RightYou don’t need to spell out every abbreviation, but make sure that you spell it out at least once.This ensures that whether the ATS is scanning for the full word or the abbreviation, your resume has both. The ATS may also be unable to recognize certain abbreviations like CPA instead of C.P.A.9. Make sure that your resume file name is correctYes, what you name your file matters. Even though it might get through the ATS, recruiters will often ignore unprofessional resume names.Use your first and last name, or a combination of the two. You should also add either the word “resume” or the position you seek.Examples:JohnS.Resume.docJohnSmith.Resume.docJohn.SalesManager.docThis is also important because if a recruiter needs to go back and find you in the system, they can easily do so by searching your name in the database. This also holds true if someone is referring you for the job. Your resume needs to be easily found should the recruiter want to pull up your file.Most recruiters won’t do the work for you and rename the file, so make sure you have the correct file name!10. Make sure you are qualified for the jobTo sum it all up, make sure you meet the qualifications of the job posting. Blindly sending out tons of resumes is a waste of your time.It’s better to take your time and go through each job description to verify that you’re qualified. The ATS is designed to see if the candidate is a good match for the job and verify that he or she has the qualifications needed.However, don’t be discouraged from applying for jobs where you meet most of the qualifications. If a position asks for two years of experience and you only have one, go for it anyway!SummaryYour resume has a lot to contend with in 2020, but with these 10 tips, you can rise to the top of the pile and get noticed by hiring managers. Write first to pass an ATS scan, and second to impress an employer.If you want to see how your resume w ill perform in an ATS test, be sure to try out Zipjobs free resume review. How to Get Your Resume Past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - 2019 Spread the loveNearly all resumes submitted online today are scanned with an ATS. To earn more interviews, you need to appeal to these computer scans and this article will show you how. There are 10 things you need to consider.Well cover everything you need to know about these Applicant Tracking Systems and how to get your resume past the most popular ones including BambooHR or Zoho.What is an ATS? (Applicant Tracking System)These Applicant Tracking Systems, commonly referred to as resume robots, scan your resume for keywords, experience, and education before the document is ever seen by human eyes. If the ATS determines that the resume is an appropriate match for the position, it is approved for human review.Lets learn a bit more about who uses these systems and how they work, as this will help us craft a resume that can beat the bots.How Do Companies Use Applicant Tracking Systems?The use of Applicant Tracking Systems has increased dramatically in the last few years.As shown in the image above, over 95% of large companies and over 50% of mid-sized companies use an ATS.So what does the ATS look for in your resume?The ATS algorithm scans for keywords that are related to the advertised job. It also scans for information related to your work experience and education.  If the ATS determines that your resume is a good match for the position, it gives you a high ranking. This ranking improves your chances of being seen by a recruiter and ultimately landing the interview.Here is a popular ATS resume analyzer called Taleo, which demonstrates how an employer sees candidates for a particular job opening:As you can see, the ATS judges the candidates to the best-matched position and are given higher ranking.Why is it so important to optimize your resume for an ATS?Your resume is up against a lot, so optimizing your resume for ATS scans will give you the best chance of getting noticed by an employer.Let’s take a look at some numbers. Here are some statistics that show wh at your resume is up against when you apply for a job.Source: Inc.comSo out of 250 resumes sent, 75% are deleted by Applicant Tracking Systems. Of the remaining candidates, 4-6 will be interviewed and one person will get a job offer.Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Enough with these scary statistics â€" how the heck do I get my resume past the bots? Is it possible to beat applicant tracking systems?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 tips to get your resume past the ATS!ATS Resume Checker  We also have a tool that lets you scan your resume with an actual ATS:ATS Resume Checker10 Tips to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)1. Use resume keywords correctlyThis is one of the most crucial elements to not only get your resume past the ATS, but to ensure that it gets a high ranking as well.The software is designed to scan for keywords that relate to the job and industry. A good place to start would be the job description. If you’re going for a job within a particula r industry, you should already have identified the major keywords that relate to that industry or the position that you seek.If you need some guidance, you can look at a few job descriptions which will help you decide which keywords to include in your resume.Lets take a look at a job description for an accounting position and see what keywords we can use:Position:  We are seeking an Accounting Assistant to report and record ticket sales, prepare deposits and reconcile bank accounts. Dealing with any ticketing accounting situations is a major function of this position.Responsibilities:Prepare and verify daily reportsComplete  daily income/sales report and prepare daily journal entryDaily deposits of ticket sales receiptsReconcile bank account for ticketing officeCommunicate with ticketing managers and others working on the ticketing systems problemsPrepare authorized refund vouchersCompile monthly reportsPrepare monthly balance sheet schedulesQualifications:Bachelors in accountingFam iliarity with Oracle and Microsoft Excel is a plusFrom this job description, we can include the following keywords on your resume:Bank account reconciliationJournal EntriesBalance SheetMicrosoft ExcelOraclePrepare daily, weekly and monthly reportsYou can include these keywords in a core competencies or skills section.Example of using keywords for an ATS scan:One thing thats just as bad as not having the correct keywords is over-using them. Many applicants try to stuff as many resume keywords as they can in hopes of beating the ATS and earning a high ranking.Nice try! It won’t happen. The ATS will reject an overstuffed resume as quickly as it would a resume with insufficient keywords. Work on finding the right balance in your resume.2. Format your resume correctly for ATSStick to a traditional resume format at all times. This ensures that your resume can be scanned by the ATS and that it is easy for a recruiter to read. There are three basic resume formats acceptable for use:Revers e-chronological (most popular) This is the most popular resume format and is ideal for someone who has a good work history and is staying in the same line of work. We wrote a post on how to write an awesome chronological resume here.Functional This resume format is ideal for those who have large employment gaps or plan on switching industries. A functional resume format allows you to lead with skills and qualifications instead of work experience. You can also find our article on writing a good functional resume here.Hybrid This is a combination of a reverse-chronological and a functional format. It allows you to use the best features of both formats. However, if you have large employment gaps or very little experience, you should avoid this format.Example of an ATS-Friendly Resume:Here is a good example of a chronological resume formatted for ATS:3. Send the correct file typeApplicant tracking systems need to be able to scan and read your resume. The safest way to ensure that you r resume will be read is to submit it in a Doc file. (Microsoft Word)Even though many of the systems are now advanced enough to read a PDF, you should still send a Doc file to be on the safe side. A Doc file is the preferred file type for both ATS and many recruiters.You should also always check the job description to see if the employer wants a certain file type. Often times, employers will specify a certain file type, so you should always have a .doc and .PDF version of your resume on file.4. Label sections on your resume correctlyYou need to ensure that the system can read all the sections of your resume correctly. Label your resume sections properly, using subheadings such as work experience, education, and interests.Verify that the location, position, and length of employment information that you provide is clear and consistent throughout your resume.If your layout is not done properly, the ATS may have trouble identifying where you worked, what you did, and how long you were t here. Here is an example of a good layout for work experience:Ensure all other labels on your resume are correct. Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications so ATS can understand the start of each a new section. Here is a post on  headers and sections to include on a resume.  5. Use a popular and professional font for ATS scanningStick to a professional font that an ATS can process.This is not only important for enabling the ATS to process your application correctly, but is also vital for retaining a recruiter’s interest. You have to remember that if a recruiter reviews your resume, it will be a major turn-off to see a font like comic sans.The best fonts to use for your resume are:ArialCalibriGeorgiaHelveticaWe have a post on the best resume fonts here you may want to check out so you can choose the right one for you.6. Avoid fancy designs, colors and imagesOkay, this ties in with formatting, but its something we need to mention because we see it so often.Don’t put fancy colors, images or fonts on your resume. Not only does it create a problem for the ATS, but recruiters hate it as well!Here is what career expert Allison Green says:“There have always been a small number of job applicants who do this, and it is a really, really bad idea. It makes them look naive and unprofessional, raises questions about why they think you’d want to see their photo, and just generally … no.”Source: Allison GreenThere you have it. Stick to a professional resume format as discussed in Tip #2.7. Avoid spelling and grammar errors like the plague!58% of resumes contain spelling and grammatical errors, according to a CareerBuilder survey.Spelling errors can cause a resume to be automatically rejected. The majority of recruiters will also dismiss a resume even if it contains only a single error.Microsoft Word is not enough to correct all of your spelling and grammatical errors. You should read over your resume a couple of times and even have a friend or pr ofessional look it over.8. Spell out abbreviationsAvoid abbreviating words, titles or certifications on your resume. If you do abbreviate, make sure you spell out the abbreviation as well. Example:CPA: WrongCPA (Certified Public Accountant): RightYou don’t need to spell out every abbreviation, but make sure that you spell it out at least once.This ensures that whether the ATS is scanning for the full word or the abbreviation, your resume has both. The ATS may also be unable to recognize certain abbreviations like CPA instead of C.P.A.9. Make sure that your resume file name is correctYes, what you name your file matters. Even though it might get through the ATS, recruiters will often ignore unprofessional resume names.Use your first and last name, or a combination of the two. You should also add either the word “resume” or the position you seek.Examples:JohnS.Resume.docJohnSmith.Resume.docJohn.SalesManager.docThis is also important because if a recruiter needs to go back and find you in the system, they can easily do so by searching your name in the database. This also holds true if someone is referring you for the job. Your resume needs to be easily found should the recruiter want to pull up your file.Most recruiters won’t do the work for you and rename the file, so make sure you have the correct file name!10. Make sure you are qualified for the jobTo sum it all up, make sure you meet the qualifications of the job posting. Blindly sending out tons of resumes is a waste of your time.It’s better to take your time and go through each job description to verify that you’re qualified. The ATS is designed to see if the candidate is a good match for the job and verify that he or she has the qualifications needed.However, don’t be discouraged from applying for jobs where you meet most of the qualifications. If a position asks for two years of experience and you only have one, go for it anyway!SummaryYour resume has a lot to contend with in 2020, but with these 10 tips, you can rise to the top of the pile and get noticed by hiring managers. Write first to pass an ATS scan, and second to impress an employer.If you want to see how your resume w ill perform in an ATS test, be sure to try out Zipjobs free resume review.