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What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System is a software used by companies to manage job applications, store candidate information, and analyze documents like resumes and cover letters. It scans and ranks resumes before they reach hiring managers, filtering out those that don't meet basic criteria based on keywords related to job requirements.

How Do Applicant Tracking Systems Work?

ATS works by building a profile of an ideal candidate based on a job description and evaluating incoming resumes based on their match with the necessary skills and qualifications. It assigns a score to each resume and filters out those that don't meet the basic criteria, leaving hiring managers with the highest-scoring resumes.

Proven Ways to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems

To ensure your resume gets a high ATS score and lands on a hiring manager's desk, follow these tips:

1. Optimize Your Resume Format

Choose the reverse-chronological format, which highlights your work experience starting from the most recent roles, as it is easily read by ATS and is what hiring managers expect.

2. Maintain a Simple Layout

Avoid complex designs and graphics, and use a professional and easy-to-read font. Keep bullet points simple and avoid fancy characters.

3. Utilize an ATS-Friendly Resume Template

Use templates with a simple layout and clean formatting to avoid confusing the ATS.

4. Don’t Apply for Too Many Roles in the Same Company

Some ATS may flag candidates who submit multiple applications within a short timeframe, which can hurt your chances of landing any role. Focus on one or two positions that best match your skills and experiences.

5. Use Common Job Titles

Use the exact job titles listed in the job description to avoid being overlooked by the ATS.

6. Tailor Your Resume for Each Application

Tailoring your resume to each role increases your chances of getting a high resume score. Identify key skills and qualifications from the job ad and include them naturally in your resume.

7. Include All Necessary Sections

Ensure your resume includes essential sections such as contact information, resume summary or objective, work experience, education, and skills.

8. Run an ATS Check on Your Resume

Use tools like ChatGPT to estimate your resume's ATS score and get recommendations for improvement.

9. Proofread Before Submitting

Proofread your resume to avoid typos and grammatical errors that can lower your resume score or confuse the ATS.

10. Save It as the Right File Type

PDF is generally the safest option as it keeps your formatting consistent across devices and operating systems. However, check the job ad for specific file format instructions.

ATS-Friendly Resume Example

An ATS-friendly resume uses a reverse chronological format, a simple layout, standard job titles, and is tailored to the specific job by including relevant skills, experiences, certifications, and courses.

Key Takeaways

Applicant tracking systems are widely used, so it's crucial to optimize your resume to pass them. Use the reverse-chronological format, keep your design simple, and use standard section headings and job titles. Tailor your resume for each job application, and consider using an ATS-friendly resume template to increase your chances of passing the initial screening.