How to Optimize Your Resume for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) using Keywords!
Comprehending Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS are software applications necessitated to automate and support the recruitment process. They scan resumes looking for specific keywords and criteria offered by employers. As per recent studies, almost all Fortune 500 companies use ATS to streamline their hiring processes. It is also estimated that over 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS prior to reaching the human recruiter.
Grasping the Role of Keywords
Keywords always play a key role in optimizing your resume for ATS, which are specific words or phrases considered pertinent to the job description, industry, and skills hiring managers are seeking. Hence, it is imperative to include the appropriate keywords in your resume to increase the likelihood of the resumes getting selected by the ATS to ultimately reach the hands of the hiring manager. As per research, almost 75% of recruiters use ATS to screen and rank resumes.
How to Craft a Resume compatible with ATS
Identifying Relevant Keywords:
Spotting the most relevant keywords is possible by carefully reviewing the job description and noting the skills, qualifications, and requirements as mentioned in the target job role. As per survey conducted by a leading ATS optimization platform, nearly 80% of the resumes received are initially screened by ATS to find a match with skills and keywords. Therefore, you must pay attention to the technical skills, industry-specific buzzwords, and soft skills, which are often the keywords that the ATS scans for.
Placing the Keywords Strategically:
If you have identified the relevant keywords, next step is to strategically place them across your resume. Introduce them spontaneously in your professional summary, work experience points, skills, and also education section if applicable. But, please avoid keyword stuffing, as it may prove to be unnatural and fail to pass both ATS and human reviewer. As per survey, a resume with a suitable keyword density has a 2.3 times higher chance of ranking, considered good enough to be screened by human eyes.
Considering the Formatting:
While optimizing your resume for ATS, it’s important to select the best resume format and structure. Applying a simple and clear-cut layout with properly labeled sections, supports the ATS in extracting information precisely. According to a research by a career advice and job search platform, almost 74% of resumes are rejected due to unprofessional formatting issues. So, avoid usage of complex tables, graphs, or unusual fonts that might confuse the ATS and prevent keyword recognition.
Customizing the Resume for Each Application:
Although it is tempting to use a generic resume for several job applications, it is still important to tailor your resume to every specific job posting. Always get customized resumes by introducing keywords from the job description into your core competencies and professional experience sections. Focus on the way your qualifications can be aligned with the employer’s requirements, thereby rendering your resume a better chance of getting noticed. According to a survey, 61% of hiring managers prefer resumes tailored to the specific job posting.
Final Thoughts
As per studies made above, we conclude that optimizing your resume for ATS is imperative in today’s digital job search. You need to understand the power of keywords and strategically incorporate them across your resume, so as to enhance your chances of passing the ATS screening process. But, remember that while ATS optimization is crucial, you must strike a balance between ATS compatibility and human readability. So, take enough time to craft a compelling resume to effectively showcase your qualifications and experiences, both from the aspect of ATS and hiring manager’s review.
Conclusion
Brilliant Resumes, the Best Online CV Builders in India, creates keywords-optimized resumes in a world where technology has transformed the recruitment process. We understand the importance of keywords and tailor your resumes for applicant tracking systems. We identify relevant keywords as per a target job role, strategically place them, and tailor your resume for every job application. Hence, through us you can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed and securing a coveted interview, that too in extremely affordable resume writing prices.
