Nothing takes the wind out of a job seeker’s sails quite like the lack of a response.  You have the experience and the skills.  So why haven’t any hiring managers called or emailed you?  Don’t worry.  It’s not that you’re deficient, and it’s definitely nothing personal.

But it could be your resume.

One of the biggest challenges for job searchers right now is the ability to convince applicant tracking systems (ATS) that your resume is representative of the type of candidate the company is looking for.

To help you overcome this hurdle, we’ll look at what exactly an ATS does and how you can convince it to select your resume for consideration.

What Does an Applicant Tracking System Do?

An applicant tracking system (also known as a talent management system or TMS) is a software program designed to screen job candidates.  It does this through the use of an algorithm that scans resumes to look for keywords, phrases and other pertinent information that helps identify qualified candidates. 

Once it has reviewed the submitted resumes, the ATS sorts the resumes in order of relevance.  The top of the list features the applicants it deems most qualified and ends with those it considers the least qualified.  The hiring managers then use this list as the foundation for their call screening and interview process.

So how do you get an ATS to select your resume for consideration?  The key can be found in the formatting.

Best Resume Format for ATS Screening

To make it easier for the ATS to read and understand your resume, you need to follow the formatting tips below.

• Keep it Simple: If your resume is composed of fancy fonts, eye-catching graphics and colors then you have a problem.  ATS are designed to look for indicators of your experience and not to determine if you have awesome resume design skills.  It’s unable to read content in graphics and cannot recognize shapes, colors and certain fonts.  Keep the formatting for resume you use for online applications simple.  Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Courier and refrain from using colors, charts or pictures.  Save your eye-catching resume for in-person interviews, as an email attachment or when you email a company representative directly.

• Use Keywords: If you want to grab ATS attention then keywords are a must-have in your resume.  This software is designed to compare resumes to the company’s job description.  Resumes that incorporate keywords and phrases found in the job description let the ATS know that this candidate meets the criteria for the available position.

• Keep It Brief: Resumes that are excessively wordy or extend to multiple pages will not win approval from an ATS.  Much like a resume that uses graphics and colors, a lengthy submission may get overlooked.  An ATS is looking for proof of your expertise.  It may not find that information if it’s hidden in a flurry of words and phrases.

• Do Not Submit a PDF: Although PDFs are tougher to alter (and they often look better, too), do not submit your resume in that format.  ATS programs often have difficulty reading PDFs and may automatically disqualify a perfectly valid resume.  Instead, submit your resume as a Microsoft Word doc (.doc) or Text (.txt) file as these are easily read by ATS software.

• Include Your LinkedIn Profile: You can’t tell your full story on a succinct resume.  However, you can offer hiring managers a closer look at your professional experience via LinkedIn.  Be sure to include your profile URL in your resume so they can learn more about you.

Follow the tips above and you’ll have the best resume format for ATS programs.  However, if you prefer a more personal touch, turn to the staffing specialists at Elite Personnel.  We are passionate about introducing professionals like you to the best businesses in the greater DC area that are looking for new talent. Contact us today!