Your resume has never had a tougher chance of landing in front of a real person.
These days, thousands of applicants are sending in their resumes every day only to have them instantly garbage picked by automation software. Not because they’re not qualified… Nope. It’s because they didn’t make the cut with a robots screening algorithm.
Want to know what it is?
Well it’s called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and it’s the first thing screening your resume before it ever reaches a recruiter.
But here’s the good news.
Once you learn how to use their system against them you have a fighting chance.
Knowing how to create an interview winning resume all comes down to understanding what the algorithm is looking for… and then giving it straight up.
What Is An ATS And How Does It Work?
Okay, so let’s say you don’t know what an ATS actually is.
An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to receive, sort through, scan, and rank job applicants. Think of it as robots version of a recruiter.
And just about every company uses one.
Research from Jobscan found that a massive 98% of Fortune 500 companies now use ATS platforms when sorting through job candidates. That means if you’re applying to any job at a big company… there’s a bot that scans your resume before a human ever does.
Here’s how it works:
You upload your resume. The ATS then parses the text and pulls out important info like your job titles, skills, education, and experience. It then compares that data against the job description.
If it matches? You’re in. If not? You’re filtered out.
It takes less than a second. Which is why ATS-optimized resumes have become a requirement for anyone serious about landing interviews.
Why Most Resumes Get Zeroed Out By Bots?
This part may blow your mind…
It doesn’t always come down to experience and education. Research conducted by EDLIGO which analysed a massive 1000 rejected resumes revealed that up to 43% of resumes get rejected due to formatting and parsing errors… not a lack of qualifications.
Read that again. Nearly half of all rejected applicants weren’t rejected because they weren’t good enough for the job… Their resumes just didn’t technically qualify!
Crazy right? Here are the most common reasons resumes get zeroed out by applicant tracking software:
- Poor Formatting: Columns, tables, text boxes, graphics, and more… These things are scanners worst enemy. If your resume uses complicated formatting the ATS may not be able to read it correctly. Which means your info will not make it to the recruiter.
- Incorrect File Types: Some applicant tracking systems have issues with certain file types. Standard docx files have been shown to have the lowest rate of upload and parsing failures.
- Keyword Mismatches: If there are keywords in the job description that your resume is missing… You’re probably not going to rank as a match.
- Creative Section Headings: Instead of using standard headings like “Work Experience” some applicants get fancy and try to stand out with unique titles. Don’t do this.
The average online job ad gets over 250 applicants.
Because there are so many candidates applying to each position… recruiters need a way to filter out everyone they don’t need to see. And without the proper resume optimisation… your application gets tossed on the digital chopping block.
How To Build A Resume That’ll Blow The Algorithm Away?
Creating a resume that can successfully pass modern applicant tracking software doesn’t require a rocket science degree.
But it does force you to think outside the box.
Here’s what works:
Formatting Is King
Use clean, simple formatting with a plain TXT document.
No columns. No tables. Definitely no graphics or icons. Keep it simple with a single-column format, standard fonts, and easy-to-read section headers. This formatting gives the ATS the greatest chance of properly parsing your resume.
Keywords Are Queen
Pulling keywords from the job description is extremely important but often overlooked step.
The Applicant Tracking System is literally skimming your resume for keywords that match the job description. So take the time to read the job posting carefully and make sure your resume includes those terms throughout your experience and skills sections.
Keyword stuffing is pointless and will get you nowhere. Not only can most Applicant Tracking System detect it… but so can recruiters. Instead, make sure your wording matches the job description by naturally weaving them into your accomplishments and job responsibilities.
Use Standard Section Titles
Resume writing hackers will try to tell you that using creative titles like “My Journey” instead of “Work Experience” or “Previous Employment” will help you stand out.
Don’t listen to them.
Use standard section titles like these:
- Summary
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
Unless you know for a fact the ATS you’re applying with accepts alternative headings… stick with the standards.
Give Your Achievements Context
Recruiters and ATS algorithms both favour numbers.
Instead of saying “managed a sales team” say “managed a 10-person sales team.”
“You generated” is better than “You were responsible for.”
These may seem like minor details… but they matter more than most people think.
The Most Intelligent Ways To Get Past ATS Software
While optimising your resume for ATS software is crucial… there’s a few other things you should be doing to massively increase your chances of landing an interview:
Tailor Your Resume To The Job Description
Sending the same resume to every job posting isn’t going to cut it.
Every job description is worded differently and will test for different skills. Tailoring your resume to each job you apply for is single best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting past the bots.
Yes, it takes longer. But hey. It works.
Apply Early
When should you apply to a job? As soon as possible.
This cannot be stressed enough. Most recruiters will start reviewing resumes within 48-72 hours of a job posting going live. Apply ASAP so that you can face less competition and have a better shot at getting noticed.
Network & Find Ways Around The ATS
Here’s a secret the majority of job seekers don’t know…
ATS software doesn’t really stand in the way of landing interviews… at least not if you know what you’re doing.
A study by Harvard Business School revealed that 88% of employers believed their ATS was screening out qualified candidates from their hiring pools. What does that mean?
Translation: Lots of companies know their ATS isn’t working properly.
Take advantage of their struggles. Find ways around the software by networking, reaching out to recruiters directly, and getting your foot in the door through employee referrals.
Bringing It All Together
ATS software isn’t going anywhere. If anything companies are going to continue to lean on technology when it comes to sorting through applicants.
But now you know how to game the system.
- Know how applicant tracking software scans and ranks resumes
- Use simple formatting that the ATS can understand
- Include keywords from the job description
- Tailor your resume to each job description
- Apply early and get around the bots with networking
Creating an interview worthy resume isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about knowing how the system works and putting your best foot forward by optimising your resume for readers (both human and algorithm).
