Imagine this. You scroll through numerous job platforms, and after weeks of weeding out the postings, you find one that perfectly matches your skills. Plus, it sounds like what you’ve been looking for all your life – props to the job search gods.
Now it’s time to get down to business. You curate a one-of-a-kind cover letter and resume and then wait for another miracle. But things don’t go your way. Did you do anything wrong? Should you have burnt more offerings? The problem is as many as 400 other job seekers applied. And to help manage these applications, most firms, almost 99% of companies today, use an applicant tracking system (ATS).
These bots help firms weed through applications, sort them, and rank them according to the most qualified candidates – faster than any team of humans can. Of course, in this techy era, well-informed job seekers know that many firms use ATSs. But being informed is the tip of the iceberg. You need to learn how to stand out in the ATS and be selected for an interview.
Below, are some helpful tips on how to make the cut with an ATS.
You already know what this ATS business is all about.
Now let’s see how it works.
The applicant tracking system works by thoroughly scanning your submitted resume and cover letter to find keywords that best match the job listing. It also stores submitted resumes in a database for recruiters and other HR professionals to peruse through later. The ATS might highlight and rank applications it has determined to be excellent matches for the position.
To boost your chances of being hired, try these tips, and you will stand out in an ATS:
Applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for specific keywords and phrases. It’s a form of Google Search, but on a smaller scale. To identify the keywords the ATS is searching for, review the job listing (at least three times) and check with words that are used most often – those are your keywords.
The hiring manager can decide what keywords to look for – usually the skills, qualifications, or experiences most vital to the position. For entry-level jobs, that mainly means specific majors, whereas, for digital marketing positions, it might be certain marketing lingos – social media advertising, Canva, Photoshop, etc.
If you want to make it to the recruiter’s desk, you need to sprinkle those keywords and their variants throughout your application letter and CV. You can include them in your experience section or summary of qualifications statement. Based on your industry, particular certifications and degrees might be essential keywords. Particularly in fields like law or medicine, where licenses are required, recruiters will want to know at a glance that you’re legally qualified to do the job.
If you’re struggling to identify the crucial keywords, there are numerous tools online like Jobscan or SkillSyncer that can assist you – make use of them!
Side PSA: In some instances, an ATS scanning for keywords might recognize and count exact matches. Therefore, if you’re qualified for the position but wrote the keyword in short or synonymic form, like YLD, and the ATS is searching for Young Lawyers Division, it might sideline your application. So, to be safe, write out the full name then abbreviate it in parentheses.
Optimizing your keywords and formatting for the ATS isn’t the same as trying to cheat the system. Most applicants try tricking the applicant tracking system algorithm by stuffing as many keywords as possible. Others do it by secretly adding extra keywords using invisible white text or overusing them.
That might fool the system, but the hiring manager who’ll see your resume won’t and will pass your application. You might even be blocklisted from the company. So, focus on curating the best resume based on your actual skills.
Since applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for specific skills, education qualifications and experiences, your application will stand out if you apply for positions you’re 99% qualified for. For instance, if you have two years of experience and the job listing specifies five years, your application will rank lower than job seekers with more experience, making it less likely to land an interview. Nonetheless, if you have four years of experience, your application might rank higher since you’re a better fit for the position.
The only exception is if you’re switching careers. In that case, focus on transferrable skills using the listed keywords on the job listing to help you stand out in the ATS.
ATSs enable hiring managers to see all the roles you applied for at their organization. When you choose to apply for more than one role at a specific firm, your chances of getting hired will be low – the recruiter cant figure out what you’re interested in or if you actually know your skills
If a firm has two similar roles open, you’re allowed for both. This also applies to applicants who possess a wide range of skills and interests and would seamlessly fit in either position (but ensure to tailor each resume based on the job description).
What you shouldn’t do is apply for an entry-level position and video-editing manager position simultaneously. You should also avoid applying to every single role the organization has. That just shows you don’t take time to consider if the role is right for you, and the recruiters won’t take the time to help you out.
We all like curating profiles and resumes based on our personalities and preferences. However, while your resume might look incredible on-screen, the ATS will have difficulty scanning it. Therefore, choose an easy-to-read font like Arial and skip any fancy formatting. ATSs are only interested in the words, not how your resume looks.
Additionally, ensure you choose the proper resume format. Almost all ATSs have an effortless time reading chronological resumes. If you’re a career changer and prefer using a functional resume when applying through an ATS, choose a different format and indicate your transferable and soft skills.
When applying for a job, your number one priority is to stand out from the crowd. So, when everyone else includes a skills and work experience section, you’ll try adding some editorial flair. However, the applicant tracking system will have difficulty locating your experience section if you name it something like ‘My Sauveness’ or Know-how.’
Label every section on your resume with terms the ATS will instantly recognize. This ensures it doesn’t gloss over important information like your previous work experiences.
The ultimate goal of standing out in ATSs is to get your resume seen by a human recruiter. As such, you need to ensure to cater to both systems – the ATS and the humans involved in recruitment. Ensure your CV indicates why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Use it to show the firm how you’re an ideal culture fit and the skills you’ll bring to the company. That will make you more memorable to the hiring manager.
Some organizations use software to search through the internet and assess your social media presence. So, be sure to cultivate your professional brand online. Ensure your expertise is well represented on your platforms.
