An ATS (Applicant Tracking System)-friendly resume is optimised to be read by the recruiter’s software. Nowadays many recruiters use different software to shortlist the resumes they receive for job openings, so it’s essential to apply for the job with a properly formatted resume.
Here’s how to prepare one:
1. Use a Simple Format
• Choose a clean and professional layout with clear section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”), Try to avoid unwanted sections in the resume and make it very simple and highlight the key factors about you in the resume.
• Avoid creative resumes, fancy designs, tables, columns, images, or graphics, as ATS may not read them correctly. Always make sure the resumes are formatted with proper text and fonts.
Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12 pt).
2. Use Keywords from the Job Description
• Identify important skills and qualifications from the employer’s job posting and try to include them naturally in your resume and be aware of the changes you make so that will be easy for the interview.
• Use industry-specific terms and words for better reading by software and also avoid excessive abbreviations unless commonly recognised (e.g., “SEO” instead of “Search Engine Optimization” if both forms aren’t included).
3. Structure Your Resume Correctly
• Header: Include your full name, phone number with country code, email, and LinkedIn URL (if applicable). Avoid inserting these details in a header/footer, as some ATS systems don’t read them.
• Summary/Objective: A brief, keyword-rich statement that matches the job you are applying for and also matches your experience and career goals.
• Work Experience: List jobs in reverse chronological order.
• Use the format: Job Title | Company Name | Location | Dates of Employment
• Include bullet points with action verbs and measurable achievements.
• Education: Include degrees, school names, and graduation dates only.
• Skills Section: List relevant hard and soft skills in a bullet format or separated by commas to read by ATS System.
4. Save in the Right Format
• Save your resume as a .docx (Word document) or PDF file and make sure you check the job description to see if any specific format is requested by the recruiter.
5. Avoid These Common Mistakes
It is very important to consider all these things before creating your resume. Some bonus comments are listed below.
• Don’t use headers, footers, text boxes, or columns.
• Avoid excessive use of special characters, icons, or images.
• Don’t use non-standard section titles (e.g., use “Work Experience” instead of “Career Journey”).
Best of luck for your journey