Are your job applications systematically rejected? Have you ever had the feeling that your CV has been automatically discarded without even being read? This hypothesis is not unlikely. According to experts, more than 75% of qualified job-applications are rejected only because they do not have an ATS-friendly format. In other words, ATS-bots do not like the way you write. Hence, if you really want that job, it’s better for you to know what an ATS is and how to write an ATS proof job application.
What’s an ATS?
The acronym ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System and it indicates a type of software designed for recruitment and hiring needs.
Nowadays, job advertisements are posted on-line, and the number of CVs sent for any vacancy is higher than ever. To make the selection process faster, more and more companies are using ATS-software to screen the applications. The bots are not tasked with picking the final candidate; they have “just” to exclude the “worst” ones. Yet, we have to keep in mind that ATS are machines – programmed by imperfect human beings – which can make huge mistakes.
The consequences can be dire. Certain features of your CV may be too difficult to read for a bot. Your job application can thus be discarded only because written with a certain font or formatted in a way that is undecipherable to an ATS. This means that your CV will never pass the first selection, and it will be discarded without even being read by a real human being.
Most people have no idea what an ATS is and how it works. This could become a huge discriminatory factor. However, do not worry: Ludwig.guru is here to help you and you can build an ATS-proof CV thanks to our priceless writing tips.
Five tips to beat the bots: how to build an ATS-friendly resume
· Choose the right file format
ATS-software are not able to read certain kinds of files. It is recommended to use a .doc or a .txt format. Above all, avoid PDFs. Bots are not good at managing PDFs and, consequently, they will discharge your resume mercilessly if written in this format.
· Template, fonts and layout
If you want to beat the bot, less is definitely more. Avoid using pre-made templates with very sophisticated and amazing graphics. As aesthetically pleasing they are, they confuse the software. Rather, look for an ATS-friendly resume template or, even better, just write the resume by yourself and save it in a text file or a Word document.
The same goes for fonts. Certain kinds of elegant fonts, such as the very popular Times New Roman, are not ATS-friendly. According to experts, the best choice would be to employ sans serif fonts, such as Arial or Helvetica.
Likewise, the layout should be as simple as possible. Avoid charts, tables, photos, and special symbols. When strictly necessary, you can use simple bullets (like the ones employed in this section), but do not exaggerate! It is also important to avoid too many graphic effects, such as decorative lines, logos, or images. Finally, do not organize the text into columns.
· Structure and sections
Organize your resume by sections. In order not to confuse the ATS-bot, use traditional resume headings and put them in the following order: “Summary”, “Skills Summary”, “Professional Experience”, “Education”, “Training”, “Certificates and Skills”. Also, keep in mind: if there is one thing robots can't do, it is “reading between the lines”. Be very specific and clear in listing and describing your skills, and do not rely on the fact that your amazing abilities are “implied” in your work experiences.
· Find the right keywords and use them wisely
· Get out of your mind that you can write a CV and then send it randomly everywhere as soon as you see an interesting job-offer. Acting like this will get you nowhere. The best way to proceed, instead, is to select the job opportunities that are right for you, and then tailor your CV for each application. Doing so takes time, but it is definitely worth it.
Read the job posting carefully, and try to recognize the main keywords concerning the required skills. If the job posting says: “we are looking for a SEO expert”; you have to use the term “SEO expert”. Use exactly the same words you have recognized in the job posting. ATS are machines programmed to identify keywords: if you use original synonyms like “SEO-ninja” or “SEO master” - but also a more sober “SEO writer” - the bot will think you do not have the right qualities for this job.
While using keywords, avoid acronyms –ATS may not be good at understanding them– or use them sparingly as side-keywords.
Once identified the right keywords, you have to use them wisely. First, put them in the “Summary” and the “Summary skills”; then, the keywords must recur also in the section dedicated to “Professional Experience”. This way the ATS will correctly understand that you have not only the right skills, but also years of experience in the specific sector.
· Do not forget about human beings!
ATS-software are tasked to make just the first selection of the candidates. This means that if you want to be hired you have to write your CV keeping in mind also your potential human audience. So, be clear and concise, but do not turn your CV in a mere list of keywords to impress a machine, in fact if you pass the ATS screening your CV will be scrutinized by a human. The section dedicated to the “Summary” placed at the beginning of your resume could be the right place to impress the breathing human who will – hopefully – read it. Look for information about the company you are applying for, such as its philosophy and mission: show them that you are not only good at beating the bot, but also the best human being that they can hire!
