How To Optimize Your Resume For ATS

We all know that the first step to landing your dream job is having a standard resume. Résumés are like book covers that give a summary of what to expect in a book. In this case, your resume is expected to convey everything about your career and accomplishments at a glance. So, if your resume is like a currency, I am certain you would want to make sure the value can buy you your dream job.

So Optimizing your resume to stand out is no longer in question as we have established its importance to help you land your dream or job. There are several people looking to land a job like you want to, albeit the same role you are applying for. Unfortunately, only one person can fill that position. How well do you think your resume can compete with the other applicants?

Another sad news is the fact that most organizations, not just the Fortune 500, now screen candidates through ATS machines. Who will blame them? Imagine screening 500-1000 resumes trying to find out the right candidate for a role.

Alas! This has brought us to the very heart of this article. How to optimize your resume for ATS. If you are looking for how to beat the ATS machine and make it to an interview where you can defend your skills, then you have clicked the right link. Before we dive into how to optimize your resume for ATS, let’s unravel the word ATS.

ATS is the acronym of an “Applicant Tracking System”. It is a machine powered by artificial intelligence used by most organizations to screen job applicants to select suitable candidates to fill in specific job positions. This is a substitute for the enormous amount of work involved in screening candidates manually. So you can see you are not only competing against other applicants but also the ATS. Now you understand how the ATS works. So, let's create your resume to beat the ATS. Let's do this!

What Is An ATS?

ATS is the acronym of an “Applicant Tracking System”. It is a machine powered by artificial intelligence used by most organizations to screen job applicants to select suitable candidates to fill in specific job positions. This is a substitute for the enormous amount of work involved in screening candidates manually. So you can see you are not only competing against other applicants but also the ATS.

Now you understand how the ATS works. So, let's create your resume to beat the ATS. Let's do this!

How To Optimize Your Resume For ATS.

Here are some pertinent steps to follow when optimizing your resume for ATS.

• Read through different job ads for the role(s) you are applying for and carefully highlight the job descriptions, responsibilities, qualifications, requirements, and competencies if stated.
• Analyze the highlighted descriptions of option one and identify the keywords. Also research industry knowledge on the stated responsibilities and requirements.
• Be very intimate with your keywords. When optimizing your resume for ATS, always have it at the back of your mind that the resume will pass through a machine first before it gets to the recruiters' table. If there is one thing computers are good for, it is the notion of garbage in garbage out. After highlighting and identifying your keywords try to infuse them completely in your resume from start to finish.
• Edit your career summary/profile to suit the position you are applying for. This is probably the first thing the ATS will notice when screening your resume. it optimizes it and gives it a better passing rate.
• Use strong descriptive words and action verbs. Their importance cannot be over-emphasized. If your resume passes the ATS, it will still be reviewed by the recruiter. So while trying to beat the ATS also remember you need to convince the recruiter eventually that you are a good fit for the role.
• Your resume is not the place to be humble. Be very descriptive of your work experiences. Be sure to write down in detail every single role and accomplishment you have achieved as long as they are related to the job role, or will boost your profile for the job role.
• Break your content into solid sections. Highlight your accomplishments and achievements and ensure that keywords related to the job role or industry knowledge are included.
• Tailor your hobbies and interest to be related to the job role and industry practices. It is another selling point for your resume.
• Tailor your work experience to follow the Action, Impact, and result technique.
• If you possess any technical skills or have knowledge of certain applications, sprinkle them here and there in your resume. Add them when talking about your work experience. Don’t just add them only in the skills section.

Okay! That was fun! We have gone through so many steps on how to optimize your resume for ATS. And the most important of those steps is the use of keywords. So let me help you out a little bit more by narrowing down what keywords can be.

What Are Keywords?

The ATS machine is a very efficient machine, it is programmed to scan for specific keywords and conditions in each applicant's resume. If those resumes meet the conditions or possess some attributes of those conditions, they are passed to the good folder and the remaining ones are thrashed.

Keywords can be

• Job title
• Skills and competencies.
• Industry knowledge
• Requirements
• Achievements
• Certifications.
• Strong descriptive verbs related to the job role.
• Work experiences
• Qualifications.

There you go. I am pretty sure this will go a long way in showing you how to optimize your resume for ATS. This is the end of this wonderful piece. But before we go, let us answer some frequently asked questions about how to optimize your resume for ATS.

Why is Optimizing Your Resume for ATS Important?

We’ve explained at the beginning of the article how most organizations no longer screen their candidates manually but use the help of an artificial intelligence-powered machine to screen their candidates. So to be able to pass through the ATS machine your resume has to be highly optimized. You stand the risk of wasting your time and energy applying for hundreds of positions and ending up getting so frustrated when you don’t get invited for interviews. Applying for jobs is a job on its own, while not going the extra mile in making sure your efforts are not wasted.

Does a PDF resume pass an ATS?

Yes, pdf documents pass ATS, but it is advisable to save your resumes in word documents, so it is easier for you to edit them when necessary.

What resume format is best for ATS?

The best resume format is the reverse chronological order, with your most recent achievements and work experience first.

What is a good match rate for ATS?

A good match rate to pass an ATS is 80% and above.