How To Write an ATS Resume? Why ATS-Friendly Resume is Important?

Being turned down is an integral aspect of seeking employment for students or graduates aiming for a full-time or part-time job in the United Kingdom (UK). It’s common for not everyone to secure an interview or a job offer. However, another significant aspect of the job hunt is having your resume dismissed even before it reaches the recruiter’s desk. Typically, to reach the recruiter, your ATS-Resume must navigate through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Surprisingly, more than 70% of job applications fall short in this process. If necessary, an ATS CV should be crafted with a professional CV writing service.

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) serves as software utilized by employers to oversee the entirety of the application process. This system is responsible for gathering, scanning, and evaluating all incoming applications.

Initially, ATS was primarily adopted by larger corporations. This trend is evident in statistics, with approximately 75% of large companies implementing an ATS due to the sheer volume of applications they receive daily. However, the prevalence of ATS has expanded significantly over time.

Today, companies of all sizes, including over 98% of Fortune Companies, have integrated ATS into their recruitment processes.

The cover of the June/July issue of FORTUNE.

Why do companies use ATS as a primary tool to shortlist candidates?

Utilizing an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) proves highly productive for companies. The system effectively manages the influx of applications, thereby conserving both time and resources. Rather than sifting through stacks of paper, the online platform maintains meticulous organization of all applications.

Moreover, the ATS operates in a non-discriminatory manner, disregarding factors such as age, gender, or race. This impartiality ensures fairness in the hiring process, as machines are inherently unbiased.

Initially, the system initiates the recruitment process by generating a job posting for the company. Subsequently, it disseminates this posting across various channels, including company websites, job boards, hiring platforms, or email.

Upon receipt of an application for the job, the ATS promptly scans it. The system then categorizes the resume into distinct sections such as Work Experience, Education, Skills, Languages, and Certifications, among others.

Why keywords are important in ATS-Resume?

When applying for the tax manager position, your ATS CV summary highlights your qualifications as follows:

“Experienced tax manager with over five years of financial expertise, adept at overseeing tax returns and affairs. Demonstrated track record of success, ensuring employer satisfaction, and possessing strong communication skills.”

The ATS scans your resume and identifies the following key points:

Title: Tax Manager
Experience: 5+ years
Skills: Tax returns and affairs, employer satisfaction, strong communication skills

The ATS then compares these points to the list of requirements:

CHECK: Tax manager
CHECK: 5+ years of experience
CHECK: Employer satisfaction
CHECK: Communication skills
NOT CHECK: Analytical skills
NOT CHECK: Microsoft Office proficiency

If your ATS resume aligns with the basic requirements, it progresses to the next stage. However, if it lacks any of the essential criteria, such as analytical skills or Microsoft Office proficiency, it may be automatically discarded. ATS Resumes meeting the basic requirements are then ranked by relevance, with the most suitable candidates appearing at the top of the recruiter’s pipeline.

How to Create an ATS Resume?

Creating an ATS Friendly Resume is essential to get selected for the desired job and yields better outcomes than a normal average CV. Here’s how you can craft your ATS Resume.

1. Review the job advertisement for the position you’re applying for.
2. Opt for an ATS-friendly resume template. Numerous candidates face rejection due to utilizing templates incompatible with ATS. Elaborate templates, even those purchased, often become distorted within the system. Hence, it’s critical to select a proven ATS-friendly template to ensure your resume is accurately parsed and understood by the system.
3. Select a commonly used, simple font for clarity.
   Employ larger font sizes for headers and smaller ones for content to ensure readability.
   Emphasize achievements using bulleted lists, maintaining simplicity.
   Utilize simple bullet points such as solid circles or squares, avoiding complex characters that may not be compatible with ATS.
4. Ensure proper section labeling. Although seemingly straightforward, it’s crucial to label sections accurately. List your work experience under “Work Experience,” skills under “Skills,” and so forth. This clarity allows the ATS to accurately recognize and process each section of your resume.
5. Customize your resume with relevant keywords. Create a list of these keywords after analyzing the job posting. Keywords are essential terms or phrases associated with the specific requirements of a job. The ATS scans for these keywords to identify the most suitable candidate. Here’s how to tailor your resume effectively using keywords: Identify two types of keywords: job-related skills and action verbs. Incorporate these keywords strategically into your resume. Avoid random placement of keywords; ensure they are seamlessly integrated into your content.
6. Job-related skills are fundamental qualifications and characteristics for the job, such as data analysis, research, and problem-solving.
7. Action verbs illustrate your accomplishments and successes in previous job roles, such as created, maximized, and solved.
8. Selecting the appropriate file type is crucial when submitting your resume. Generally, a PDF file is recommended as it is universal and can be read by most applicant tracking systems (ATS). Additionally, PDF files are excellent for preserving the design and formatting of your resume

Remember, your resume will be reviewed by a human after passing through the ATS, so maintain readability and coherence.

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However, it’s important to note that some older ATS models may have difficulty reading PDF files. Therefore, before applying for a position, carefully review the job advertisement. If it explicitly states that applications should be submitted in a Word document format, it likely indicates that their ATS cannot read PDFs. In such cases, it’s advisable to submit your resume in a .doc or .docx file format. Always adhere to the submission requirements specified in the job ad to ensure compatibility with the employer’s ATS.

AND THAT’S HOW YOU MAKE AN ATS CV/RESUME!