Are the robots checking my resume? You can bet! We’ve all wondered if human eyes can ever see our resumes. As job applicants diligently prepare and submit resumes in response to job postings, it is important to understand exactly what happens to your resume once you hit the Submit button. You know that your resume is being delivered; but what he does not know is whether it reaches the decision maker. This is where technology takes over.
Every HR department and staffing company uses software technology that scans, reviews, and analyzes resumes before a human can touch them. Is that how it works.
1. You submit your resume in response to a job posting. It is captured by an applicant tracking system. [ATS]
Before a recruiter even sees your resume, they come across the company’s robot software system called the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). There are many ATS providers and they all work pretty much the same. Now this ATS contains a large database of candidate information that helps streamline the hiring process for an organization.
Businesses large and small are using this software because it is a cost effective way to keep all resumes in one place and manage the entire hiring process. The ATS adds [parses] your information directly from your resume in a formatted document based on how closely you meet the job posting.
So you ask: How can I make my resume speak to this robot effectively? Well, by now have you heard all the buzz about keywords? Well, the robot software is the reason you need keywords on your resume. The company has programmed these keywords into the ATS to help them identify the resumes of the best candidates. So what should I do?
2. You don’t need to spend money on a professional resume writer. You can easily format your resume. The format is as important as the content
Within the ATS, recruiters choose and enter the particular skills and qualifications they seek in a given position. You want to match these [must haves] with keywords found in the job description. You may have all the appropriate qualifications, but if the ATS can’t read your resume, your phone won’t ring.
So check out these tips on how to optimize your resume:
- Use keywords in the body of the text and throughout the resume when appropriate. The ATS is based on context and relevance based on keyword placement. Use the language that the company uses. If they call it “online marketing,” your resume shouldn’t call it “content marketing.”
- Use standard, easy-to-read fonts, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
- Proper punctuation and spelling are important.
- The universally accepted file format is a .doc extension. This format is the safest bet, as the ATS will surely recognize your information.
How you enter your resume is important. Always upload your resume directly into the system instead of entering your information in each field. In this way, the ATS can automatically fill in your information, facilitating the entire submission process, both for you and the ATS.
3. The ATS is used in many ways
With all the advanced technology available in the ATS, it is sometimes used simply as a database to keep track of applicants. Often times the “match score percentage” is not the final verdict. Good recruiters and HR professionals tend to trust their own instincts about evaluating a machine.
At the end; the important thing is that you apply for jobs for which you are highly qualified. Tailor your resume to match the job description based on your experiences. Be sure to read the job description and see how the company uses the keywords. And most importantly; We emphasize value proposition statements. Take the time to develop your value proposition statement, as this is what will immediately catch the attention of the hiring manager.