A common reason that resumes are rejected is that they do not meet ATS standards. What is ATS? ATS or applicant tracking systems are resumé screening software that uses algorithms to streamline the hiring process for recruiters when an open position generates hundreds of resumés.
Although there are different types of ATS, most operate as a filter to help recruiters and hiring managers to reduce the candidate application pool. ATS can make this determination by scanning resumés, then sorting and ranking applicants to determine which candidates most closely align with the open position based on qualifications and the use of keywords.
If you are planning to submit a resumé soon, there are a few dos and don’ts that I typically share with my internship students to help them ATS proof their resumés. Noted below are a few ATS strategies to keep in mind. Good luck!
Dos
- Use a professional resumé template
- Make sure your resume is scannable
- Quantify your work experiences
- Tell a story of your past successes using the CAR Method
- Challenge
- Action
- Results
- Use bullets
- Use universal fonts (Times New Roman, Arial, Cambria, Garamond)
- Use keywords from the job description
- Use standard headings such as
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
Don’ts
- Use tables
- Use pictures
- Use graphics
- Use images
- Use 2 columns
