Does it feel like your resume is getting rejected without anyone even reading it? You may be right. Automated software called Applicant Tracking Systems filter and eliminate the vast majority of applications at the very start of the assessment process. So what can you do to get past the resume robots?
To save their recruiters from manually reviewing each application 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS . This software can filter hundreds of applications down to a small handful. Getting past this stage of the process is crucial. Here's what you need to know.
Keywords, Keywords, Keywords!
This is the most important point so it's number one on this list. Optimise your resume for keyword searching.
Analyse the job description. Pull it apart and make a list of the keywords used. Pay extra attention to keywords used in the job title and the main responsibilities and requirements.
- Use those keywords in your resume and your cover letter.
- Use them near the top of your resume where possible.
- Use them in your previous job titles.
- Use them frequently.
Remember, the software is using an algorithm to rank you. Use these keywords frequently and near the top to increase your score. The higher your score, the better fit you are to the position.
Images, photos and charts
You may think your photo looks cool or impressive. ATS software reads text and your fancy headshot is nothing but jumbled data increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and diluting your keyword density. We wrote a whole post on why you should not add a photo to your resume.
Address ALL the required skills and experience
Make sure the skills and experience listed on your resume meets all the essential skills and experience listed in the advert. Again, it's all about increasing your score by matching keywords and key terms used in each of the criteria.
Customise your resume for every application
It goes without saying that your resume should be tailored to each individual application. It should address the individual criteria using keywords matching the advert. For example, if one of your skills is "conducting research" in a particular area but the job advert uses the term "provide analytics" then update your resume with that term.
Don't use headers and footers
Microsoft Word, Libre Office and others can be configured to automatically place headers and footers on each page. Usually, these contain the document title, author and page number. Get rid of them, they are unnecessary and the software can't tell the difference between footer content and resume content.
Conclusion
In the current climate, with the COVID pandemic and economic fallout, jobs are scarce. Competition is fierce. Your resume needs to shine but it needs to get seen first. Concentrate on getting past the resume robots and your chances of winning the job or your dreams are greatly increased.
