Don’t Let Your Resume Get Lost: A Guide to the ATS Resume 

By Erica Haims

Given the advances in technology, we expect that when we need to call our bank or cell phone company, we have to bypass a machine before we can reach an actual person. Unfortunately, this is now true for the job search as well. 

Although there are HR departments that still use manual processes for sifting through resumes, that’s becoming more rare as educational institutions modernize their approach to hiring. Recruiters often utilize technology to scan through resumes and identify which ones meet the criteria of the position before they actually decide which ones they are going to review. 

Welcome to the applicant tracking system (ATS) Resume Format. Part of the job search is getting your candidacy in front of hiring managers, but you can’t do that if it doesn’t get passed along from HR to the hiring manager. 

This is a simple illustration that demonstrates how a resume can be parsed by an ATS so that it can extract the data it needs to put it into a predetermined and consistently structured format.

That’s why it’s important to know the common standard ATS’ use to parse and scan your resume. It’s the first step in ensuring your resume is discovered by the recruiter for the job you want. That is not to say that this should be the only version of your C.V. You can still have another one that has unique formatting and makes a statement. But to apply for positions online, you need to have one version that is scannable and compliant or you may miss out on opportunities. 

What is an ATS? 

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. Most employers use some sort of tracking system to evaluate resumes using automation. There are studies that show that up to 75% of resumes will not make it to the hiring manager because they are not compliant with ATS. Understanding how to create an ATS-friendly resume is a key component to getting the job you want. 

Tips and Tricks 

If you want an ATS-friendly resume, the first thing to pay attention to is the file format. .doc or .txt is preferred by these tools. Most other formats might be read as an image and will be ignored or not upload properly. Avoid PDFs, images, and tables. These will not scan, may present errors, and in some cases, the system could incorrectly ingest the important details such as your past roles and expertise. 

The Key to Keywords 

Employers that use an ATS can add specific keywords they’d like their ATS to scan for every job posting they create. There are specific keywords that education professionals are looking for when they look for candidates, and those typically depend on the role. Look at the job descriptions for the positions that interest you and take note of the requirements to find the keywords that the employer is looking for. There may be specific software that is named, certain skill sets, or a personality type, for instance. Often words are used differently by different hiring managers, which is why it is a great idea to incorporate the specific terms that the specific employer you’re applying with relates to the functions of the position. 

So, set aside the aesthetically pleasing resume with slick formatting and images that you spent hours designing in Adobe. Right now, you need an online-friendly version of your resume to increase the chances of getting your foot in the door. Once the interview is scheduled, then it's time to resurrect that fancy resume.