Rejection is a huge part of the job search. Not everyone gets lucky enough to receive a job offer or even an interview call from their dream place. And you might be acquainted with the other vital part of the job search, too, right?
That is right! Getting an expertly written CV it is!
However, a lot of candidates get their resumes discarded before the hiring managers even get the chance to see them.
To go into the hands of the recruiter, a resume in a lot of cases has to go through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
And here’s the sad part – about 70 per cent of job applications fail to pass. If you want yours to pass, read the guide below! By doing so, you will know all it takes to get past the applicant tracking system easily.
Let’s begin!
How To Make Your CV ATS-Friendly | A Step-By-Step Guide
Step No. 1 – Find The Job Title And Add It To Your Resume Headline
Your application headline should appear at the top of your CV, right under your contact information and name.
The main goal of putting a headline is to call attention to your worthiness as a job candidate. Make sure to keep your headline brief, relevant, and attention-grabbing to catch the eye of the prospective recruiter.
If you are clueless as to where to find the job title and add it to your resume headline, take this as your cue to seek an online job application form help.
Step No. 2 – Hunt Down Relevant Skills And Add Them To Your Resume
Recruiters do not only type in job titles when they are hunting down the candidates for the job. Rather, they also put in specific keywords relating to the skills required for the job. You can easily find these keywords by reading the job description thoroughly.
As you read, note all the skills that appear most commonly (keywords can be single phrases or even words). After you get 3 to 4 keywords, feel free to add them to your CV if relevant.
For instance, the keyword “detail-oriented” appears a lot of times in the job description. So, that will be your sign to this term in your application because the hiring managers will most probably search for it.
Provided how commonly this keyword appears in the job description, it is safe to indicate that if your application does not include the term “detail-oriented”, it probably would not be found by the recruiter. The main thing to remember is that you wish to use the same language in your CV that the recruiter used when writing the job description.
Step No. 3 – Use Keywords Correctly To Make Them Readable
A lot of ATS cannot distinguish similar skills. So, you need to use the exact keywords as they appear in the job description. For instance, a job description might ask for “marketing experience”. Do your level best to include the exact keyword phrase “marketing experience” on your CV. Do not merely list your marketing roles.
Moreover, you need to be sure to include both acronym versions as well as long-form versions of keywords. For instance, if you have enough experience as a hiring manager, you must include both “hiring manager” and “HR”. By adding both versions of such keywords, you will give yourself a jumpstart of getting your application noticed.
Lastly, make sure that you tailor each and every resume to the position that you are applying for. This might take a little effort and time, but it can elevate your chances of getting called for an interview.
Step No. 4 – Opt For An ATS-Friendly CV Format
It is vital to add appropriate keywords to your application. However, it is also vital to format your application so that ATS software can read it easily. A lot of outstanding job candidates submit their resumes that are not readable by the ATS. This is a common reason behind facing rejection even after having a perfectly written application and having years and years of experience.
Thankfully, the most ATS-friendly CV format is also the one that is used most commonly. Yes, we are referring to the chronological format. This format lists your academic and work experience in reverse chronological order. For every job, make sure you include the following information:
- Company name and location
- Job title
- Start and end dates
- Responsibilities and achievements, or any other thing that you think you should add
Step No. 5 – Make Your CV Easy To Scan
You can always hire a service provider to get your CV Ireland. But, if you wish to do it on your own, then here are some ATS-friendly resume tips to make it easier for your hiring manager as well as ATS software to read your application:
- Use clear and simple language while writing your resume. This makes it very easy for both humans as well as ATS to easily understand what you want to convey
- Make sure that you use a common font such as Helvetica, Times New Roman, Garamond, Arial, Calibri, or any other readable font to make your application look professional
- Try to keep your font size between 11 and 12 pt. for regular text. Whereas, for section titles, you can go anywhere from 14 to 16 pt.
- Add about 1-inch margins on each and every side of your application to get rid of overcrowding.
- You must never add the year only, instead add the months also, i.e. May 2024
- Make it your habit to re-check and proofread your application attentively because even a single error might result in rejection
- Use italics, bold, underlining, and of course bullets (we urge you to stick to the standard square or circle bullets)
- Submit your application in a standard PDF or Word document to make it easier for the ATS to scan it
How can I make my CV more ATS-friendly?
You can easily make your CV more ATS-friendly by following the steps given below:
- Use a standard CV format
- Incorporate a simple design
- Add standard headings
- Make it in a recognisable file type
- Add related and relevant keywords
- Use any popular font and a lot more
What is an ATS-friendly CV?
An ATS-friendly CV is an application that can be scanned seamlessly. It means that it is simply formatted with clearly defined sections and without any images, tables, charts, or any other formatting elements. An ATS-friendly CV also features keywords that are relevant to the position and are included in a presentable manner.
How can I optimize my application for an ATS software?
There are a lot of ways through which you can optimise your application for an ATS software, such as:
- Do not waste space by adding a massive contact section
- Intentionally title your sections
- Use keywords – or else you will get fewer or no calls for interviews at all
- List any additional work experience
- Include all of your relevant skills
- A one-page resume is sufficient
Is an ATS CV necessary?
Yes, an ATS-friendly CV is necessary to move past the initial screening procedure and get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. Almost every other company is using ATS for hiring purposes nowadays.
Summing It All Up
And that is it! This is all you need to know about how you can get your CV noticed by potential hiring managers. So, feel free to follow these tips to tailor your very own ATS-friendly CV and secure your dream job without a hitch.