You’ve sunk hours into perfecting your resume, and now, as you apply for a job, you hold your breath and watch your mouse hover over the “Submit Application” button.
Wait.
Before clicking, take a few minutes to make sure your resume is ATS compatible.
Approximately 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to wade through job applications. The software, sometimes referred to as a “bot,” automatically sorts and ranks resumes; it then tosses those from the least-qualified candidates into the resume black hole.
Because of this automated system, approximately 75 percent of job applications are rejected before a human even sees them. This means all your hard work could go unnoticed — even if you are the perfect fit for a position — just because you don’t have an ATS-compatible resume.
The good news is if you have a solid resume and are, in fact, qualified for a job, there are ways to ensure you slide past the resume bots.
4 Ways to Optimize Your Resume
Before putting your resume to the ATS test, you’ll want to make sure you’ve optimized it. We rounded up four simple rules to get you on track.
1. Save Your Resume as a Word Document
Contrary to popular belief, you should not save your resume as a PDF; some ATS software is simply unable to read PDF formats. It’s best to save your resume as a .doc or .docx file. Plain text files will work too, but it might be a little tricky to properly format your resume.
2. Avoid Embedding Graphics or Images
We get it, you want to make your resume look attractive. However, not all ATS software is able to decipher the information presented in graphics or images.
Think of it like this: If you insert important information into your resume as a graphic, the ATS software can’t read it. It’d be like filling out an SAT scantron with a pen — the grading system simply won’t register your answers.
Rather than showcasing your skills with a nice pie chart or adding your name as a logo, present all important information as text. It might not be as eye-catching, but it will at least help your resume pass through the ATS. Less is more when it comes to your resume design.
3. Cut Your Headers and/or Footers
Fitting all that important information on a two-page resume is tough, so sometimes you have to get creative and stick your contact information into a header to create more space.
Although that’s one way to solve the issue of limited real estate, the ATS system won’t be able to read that crucial information if it’s tucked in the margins. If the software is unable to note your name, phone number, and email address, then that’s an issue.
4. Optimize Your Resume With Keywords
Take a look at the job you’re applying for, as well as a few similar job listings. Jot down the most relevant keywords — the terms that are being used multiple times throughout the description.
Be sure to include those words in your resume. A warning: Don’t awkwardly stuff your resume with these keywords. Instead, effortlessly integrate them so the ATS sees you have relevant experience and skills and doesn’t throw your resume to the side.
How to Test Your Resume’s ATS Compatibility
Now that you’ve taken the necessary steps to prepare your resume, it’s time to take it for a test drive. Here are two simple ways to test the ATS compatibility of your resume:
1. Save Your Resume in Plain Text
To test the layout and design of your resume, simply save it as a plain-text file. If you open it and see a jumbled mess, then you know you still have some work to do. If all your information is still there and in the proper order, then great! You know your resume can withstand the ATS.
2. Request a Free Review
If you want to put your resume through a more comprehensive test, you can request a free review from a professional resume-writing service.
The resume review will offer feedback on what’s good about your resume and what could use a little work, encompassing both your resume’s content and design. Second, a professional review will test your resume’s ATS readability. It usually provides feedback on what information passes through the ATS software, what information is deemed unidentifiable, and what skills and keywords your resume ranks for.
If any part of your resume is unreadable, you’ll want to make some edits. If you’re ranking for skills or keywords that are irrelevant to your desired job and industry, you’ll want to need some more tweaks.
In Conclusion…
It only takes a few simple steps to make your resume ATS compatible and test it. This includes stripping your resume of graphics, removing headers and footers, saving it as a Word document, and integrating a few keywords. Then have it reviewed via either a plain text file or a professional review.
By taking these simple steps to beat the resume bots, you can increase your chances of being considered by an actual human recruiter or hiring manager.
About the author: Carson Kohler is a regular contributor to TopResume, the largest resume-writing service in the world. TopResume offers a range of resume-writing services including expertly written and keyword-optimized resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Submit your resume for a free, objective review today to test it’s ATS compatibility.
