Tag Archive for: Don’ts. How to Effectively Create your Resume to Get Through ATS.

In the hiring process, 90% of large employers use an Applicant Tracking System where job candidates submit their resumes online when applying for positions. Many job hunters – whether they are 20-something or 50-something do not understand how the Applicant Tracking System works and certain myths have been passed around on the Internet that are not true. Tejal Wagadia is JobScan’s Career

Expert with a background in corporate recruiting who also writes a job search and career blog called coffee and tejal. She talked with me about the facts regarding resumes, ATS, and how recruiters and employers use it. Job Scan, she noted, is an online service that uses AI to review a resume and aid you in optimizing your resume as you apply to a specific ATS system.

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

ATS is a human resources software, that works as an online database or a digital filing cabinet and so a recruiter or hiring manager can go in and look at your resume, notes Wagadia. ATS is used by companies of all sizes to organize, search, and communicate with large groups of applicants, but it is significant to note that 99% of Fortune 500 use an ATS in their recruitment and hiring process. Companies often hire for multiple positions at once and receive hundreds if not thousands of applicants for each job opening. When a recruiter or hiring manager receives that many resumes, it’s not feasible for them to carefully read each one. ATS makes searching easier—or even automated—saving time and removing unqualified people.

When you apply through an ATS, you will most likely be asked to answer what are called “knockout questions”, stated Wagadia. Knockout questions can be in the style of checkboxes or short answer questions. Their purpose is to narrow the pool of applicants. Filters are used by the software to eliminate unqualified candidates often involving Education requirements, certifications, specific experience, or work authorizations. So, if you answer any of the knockout questions unsatisfactorily, the resume will either be flagged or auto-rejected by the ATS. If you answer the knockout questions correctly, your resume will make it through to the next stage.

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Recruiters and managers then select specific keywords to sort through and find appropriate candidates. These keywords are used in the job posting. They could be based on skills, location, or work experience needed.

“One major myth out there on the Internet about ATS is simply not true,” revealed Wagadia. “This online statistic is a myth: “75% of resumes are never seen human eyes as they are filtered out by the ATS.” In my experience and talking with other recruiters, this is not true. Your rejection is likely from a human being.” A resume writer simply made up this statistic and many resume writers repeated it and use it in their service ads and on their websites.

Here are her insights to lower your job search stress on how to effectively create your Resume to get through ATS.

MYTHS to Avoid. Wagadia noted that there are no tricks to beat the ATS. You need the experience, and qualifications because sooner or later in the review process a human looks at the resume and if you lack these you are instantly rejected. Here are her tips for improving your resume. Writing keywords in white on the resume inside margins does not work. Thinking more keywords the better is not effective either.

Customize the resume based on the job description. Look at the first 3-5 qualifications and 3-5 duties and ensure that you are using that verbiage on your resume. Add it if it is missing. Do this with each submitted resume for each job opportunity.

Avoid these mistakes. Don’t submit in a PDF format although the system may accept a PDF, it’s more effective to submit the resume as a Word doc. ATS cannot read headers, footers, text boxes, tables, columns, or color ink. Also, some job hunters rate their skills themselves on their resume but this another critical error. Use traditional fonts and spell out acronyms.

Only apply if you meet 75-80% of the qualifications. The company will eliminate you if you lack most of the key qualifications. But if you have most of the qualifications you can apply. For example, you have 5 years of experience and they ask for 7, you are close enough if you have all the other work experience asked for. What is essential is to determine if you have done this job and what have you accomplished on the job. If the answer is yes, apply.

Use a traditional standard format. Keep in mind that when a recruiter does look at your resume, it’s a pretty quick glance. Have your top accomplishments and best experience near the top. ATS wants your information in specified standard headings Education, Professional Experience, Technical Skills, Honors and Awards, etc., so do not get creative here in making up section heading titles.

Refine your job search to be more effective. Think QUALITY over QUANITY in terms of the application you make. Do not spend endless hours a week online filing dozens of applications. You must be fresh to customize that resume to use for your application. When one is done, walk away from the computer. 5-10 hours a week is the approximate amount of time you need to spend on identifying leads, customizing the resume, and applying. Also important to note that additional job search hours should be spent on Interviewing and the all-important networking tasks.

NETWORKING must be an essential part of your job search process. Assuming you are qualified for the job, look to find the recruiter on LinkedIn. Reach out to that person. Mention you are applying and very briefly outline your skills and ask for more info on the job. Another key step is to look for a connection working inside the company and reach out to them for more info about the company, job. You should also ask them to pass on your resume to HR or the appropriate recruiter or hiring manager as an internally referred resume ALWAYS gets looked at.

Forbes.com | May 25, 2021 |  Robin Ryan