By Dr. Elise Carrier
Edited by Joe Van Allen
Picture yourself hunting for that perfect internship. You scroll through a dozen potential positions on Handshake and Indeed, and finally narrow it down to the perfect opportunity for you. Your resume is perfect, you have a draft of a cover letter ready to go, and then you press the “Apply” button… when you’re suddenly met with another website and a big form to fill out. You just had a run in with an Applicant Tracking System.
Job searching can be an exhausting and tedious process and the introduction of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) adds another layer of complexity. While an ATS helps employers manage high volumes of applicants, it can create barriers for job seekers in getting their resume seen by a human being. However, once you knew these barriers, you can turn them into advantages to make sure you get your application is seen by recruiters. Here are some tips on how to navigate these challenges.
Match Your Language and to the Job’s Keywords
ATS are programmed with algorithms to scan resumes and CVs for specific language and keywords. The system will then rate your resume based on how well it matches the job description. Understanding word and language matching is critical for your resume to receive a high score from the ATS, which will get it into the hands of a recruiter. Here are a few pointers to ensure your resume's keywords and language are optimized to pass an ATS.
- Tailor your resume for each job application by keeping the job description handy. Read through the job description multiple times, highlighting keywords or phrases that appear frequently in the listing. This will enable you to brainstorm ways to incorporate these keywords into your resume. Consider adding or adjusting bullet points, skills section, or even your summary to better match the posting.
- Examine the language used on the company's website, specifically in sections such as “About Us”, “Mission Statement”, and “News and Media Coverage. If you notice phrases like “forward-thinking” or “commitment to creating healthier communities”, see if there are natural ways to integrate this language into your resume or cover letter.
- More sophisticated ATS can measure the level of proficiency you showcase in your skills. Use words like “compelling”, “strong”, and “mastery” to emphasize the depth of your expertise, in addition to quantitative figures such as dollar amounts, percentages, and spans of time.
Format
Formatting may sound boring, but small formatting changes can ensure your resume is understood by the system and make it easier to read. ATS are designed to extract words related to your experience and qualifications, so readability is essential.
Here are some common detractors to avoid to keep your resume from being rejected.
Graphics & Pictures
Often, we are inclined to create visually appealing resumes, but an ATS might struggle to understand them. Stay away from graphics such as pictures and charts. Instead, use simple headings and fonts that are easy to read such as Times New Roman and Aptos.
Note: This may not apply to graphic or other types of design jobs, where the resume is examined and showcases your creative talents. These industries might not be utilizing an ATS for this reason.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
It may be obvious to you what a certain abbreviation or acronym means, but an ATS may not interpret it the same way. For example, if an employer is looking for a Master of Science and you use “MS” an ATS might skip over it. When in doubt, spell it out. The exception to this is industry standards or, such as saying “CPR” instead of “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.” If the job description is using an acronym, it is probably safe for you to use it as well. You can also spell out an acronym, then include it in parenthesis, to make sure both versions are in your resume.
File Type
Some file types are more ATS-friendly than others. Typically, you’ll want to stay away from .jpg, .html, .pub, or .indd, and use more common standards such as Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf).
Your resume should always represent your unique experiences and background. If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your resume in passing through an ATS, reach out to your career advisor for guidance.
