An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is the software that many employers use to collect, rank, sort, and review resumes before an actual recruiter or hiring manager does. The ATS compares your resume with the position description that you applied for and ranks candidates by who it thinks is the most qualified for the position. Check out this quick video to learn more about ATS and how to work with them during your job or internship search:
Make your Resume ATS-Friendly
Seen our templates yet?
We suggest making your resume ATS-friendly by using our word doc and google doc resume templates!
How to Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
Tailoring your resume to each position is the best way to make sure that your resume will be seen by recruiters so we highly suggest tailoring your resume for each position you apply for. Below are some of the guidelines to follow:
- Read through the job description: As you read the job description, pay special attention to the way it phrases the job duties and qualifications required for the job.
- Identify keywords: Make a list of the keywords in the job description with emphasis on which keywords are repeated most. Based on this, sort the keywords according to importance and incorporate them into your resume as appropriate based on your experience.
- Incorporate the keywords: To make sure your resume comes at the top of any ATS analysis, make sure to incorporate any keywords from the job description that matches your experience into your resume.
- Stick to the chronological resume format: Both ATS and recruiters work better with experience organized chronologically. Avoid organizing your resume in a functional resume format. Using our templates will guarantee you avoid this issue.
- Make a new resume version tailored to match each job description: Resave your Master Resume as a new document every time you apply for a job and tailor it to the job description for the best chance of getting an interview.
Formatting to Avoid
Types of formatting you want to avoid include tables, columns, graphics, objects, coding your resume in LaTeX, and resume design websites like Canva. This is because ATS can't "read" your resume accurately in these formats. If your resume is not accurately understood, the chances of your resume being brought in front of the recruiter are fairly low, even if you might be the perfect candidate.