According to a recent report from CNBC, finding a job is getting more difficult, despite a strong labor market. Competition is stronger than ever and nailing that perfect job post-graduation comes with a unique set of challenges with today’s technology.
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) or artificial intelligence scanners (AI), are commonly used to evaluate applicant’s resumes. As a matter of fact, according to Jobscan, almost 98% of Fortune 500 companies are using an ATS for recruitment purposes. So, what do job seekers need to know about ATS to optimize their chances of landing the role?
- Use ATS-friendly templates! Use the resume templates on our website to guide your resume development. Avoid these common formatting mistakes: DO NOT use headers and footers. These can make it difficult for the ATS to parse your information correctly. DO NOT use special graphics, images, or symbols. Again, the ATS might get confused; keep it simple.
- Tailor your resume: Tailoring your resume can be the key to beating an ATS. Locate the relevant skills on the job description and add them to your resume. It is vital to use the same language that is found in the job description! “For example, a job description might ask for “leadership experience.” Try to include the exact keyword phrase “leadership experience” on your resume. Don’t simply list your leadership roles (Henderson, 2024).”
- Understand how each ATS works: Jobscan was able to analyze over 11,000 companies where ATS was detected. Greenhouse, Lever, ICIMS, Workday, Bamboohr, Ultipro, Taleo, and Jobvite were the most commonly used systems amongst Fortune 500 companies. Optimizing your resume for a job posted by Workday, is more likely to succeed if the applicant uses standard resume section headers such as “Education,” “Experience,” “Skills” etc. Align the job description and identify the most critical skills, qualifications, and experiences. Provide examples of your skills- do not just list them. Listing ‘project management’ as a skill instead of detailing how you employed that skill does not provide the necessary relevant context for this ATS. Lastly, be mindful of acronyms. For example, write “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)” instead of just “CRM” to ensure the ATS understands the full scope of your experience. Learning more about ATS can provide the right tools to guide your resume development!
Sources:
Finding a job is getting harder even in a strong labor market: ‘It’s just a mess,’ says recruiting pro
2023 Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Usage Report: Key Shifts and Strategies for Job Seekers
How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume in 2024