For an ATS-friendly resume, ensure your contact section is short and one line long. Secondly, frame your work experience through the lens of resume keywords from the job description. Thirdly, mention specific skills based on the company’s hiring criteria when detailing responsibilities. Next, include additional sections that prove you have relevant experience directly related to the role. Then, categorize your skills and list the abilities that the employer seeks. Lastly, aim to keep your resume one page long.
An ATS-optimized resume is a resume that passes the company’s hiring software.
Without an ATS resume, you won’t reach an actual hiring manager. Your resume will meet its end with resume scanners. In other words, the applicant tracking systems (ATS).
It’s unfortunate, but most candidates won’t even get their applications read by the head of the department in the field they’re applying for or hiring managers.
After having looked at tons of resumes, this needs to be made clear:
Even if you’re actually qualified for the role, the ATS won’t know unless you meet their standards. Therefore, you could still fail to get past the first stage of the hiring process simply because you didn’t show that you meet the standards of the company’s ATS on your resume.
To communicate and prove you meet the company’s expectations, we'll go through six tips to optimize your resume for the ATS. Thanks to the team, we’ve also condensed this article into an infographic.
For an easy way to create an ATS-friendly resume, try our AI Resume Builder.
If you want to learn more about optimizing your resume, explore our comprehensive guides on:
- How to Highlight Your Best Skills for ATS Optimization
- Formatting Tips for Creating an ATS Resume
- 24+ ATS Resume Examples for Inspiration
- Resume Checker: Evaluate Your Resume's Performance
What is an ATS Optimized Resume?
An ATS-optimized (or ATS-friendly and ATS-compliant) resume is one that matches the company’s hiring criteria.
A company’s job description will list key requirements and skills needed for carrying out the role. They’ll also be a list of job responsibilities that show what your day-to-day duties look like in the role you’re applying for. These are the things that the company’s ATS will be scanning your application for.
An ATS resume makes it clear that you have direct experience in carrying out said responsibilities. It also makes it clear that you have the skills, experience, and qualifications to do what needs to be done by:
- Including relevant keywords
- Having professional formatting
- Strategic content placement
Doing each of these will increase the chances of your resume being seen by human recruiters after it's initially scanned by the ATS.
According to HRnews, 99% of organizations filter all resumes coming from applicants. For hiring managers, it makes their job easier as it’s more effective and saves them time by ruling out unqualified candidates.
The question is, how do you optimize your resume in order to get past these machines? Let’s move on to our simple ATS-friendly resume tips below!
The Purpose of ATS in Resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the resume scanners used by companies to quickly sort through applications.
Here's why companies use them:
- High application volume. Companies usually get boatloads of resumes, so the ATS helps shortlist job applications.
- Faster screening. Instead of recruiters manually reading everything, ATS quickly sorts applicants based on these keywords.
The recruiter and ATS will see your resume first—not the hiring manager or the head of department in the field you’re applying for (unless you’re applying for a role in a small company).
Companies have a limited amount of time to assess each candidate. When they receive a large volume of applications, the ATS allows them to immediately narrow down the list based on who matches the job description.
In other words, the company wants candidates who send tailored resumes. This means a resume that’s meant for their specific organization.
And that’s why using the same resume for different companies won’t usually work, which is the purpose of having an ATS resume.
How to Create an ATS-Optimized Resume: 6 Tips
Here’s how to create an ATS-optimized resume:
- Don’t waste space with a big contact section
- Title your sections intentionally
- Use keywords
- Include additional work experience
- Include your relevant skills
- Aim for a one-page resume
In today's digital job market, the first hurdle job seekers often face is getting their resume past the ATS - the gatekeeper of the modern hiring process.
But fear not, as we've crafted this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the intricacies of ATS optimization.
In the following section, we'll walk you through six straightforward yet highly effective steps that will empower you to create an ATS-optimized resume, increasing your chances of making it to the interview stage and securing your dream job.
1. Don’t waste space with a big contact section
The contact section should be one line long to save space for more important information. Don’t stretch it too far and keep it concise by only including the details that are necessary for the employer!
Keep it neat and tidy with the following:
- Full name
- Your LinkedIn profile
- Phone number
2. Title your sections intentionally
When it comes to creating an ATS-optimized resume, the choice of section titles can make a significant difference. Instead of using overly creative or ambiguous titles, opt for straightforward and universally recognized headings. For example, use "Work Experience" instead of "Career Journey" and "Education" rather than "Academic Voyage."
These standardized section titles are not just beneficial for ATS systems; they also provide clarity and ease of navigation for human readers. A hiring manager or recruiter can quickly locate the information they're seeking when you use familiar section titles.
Another good example of being intentional with your resume is using white space strategically to highlight key points.
3. Use keywords — otherwise, fewer or no interviews
The importance of incorporating relevant ATS keywords into your resume cannot be overstated. ATS systems rely on these keywords to match your qualifications with the job requirements, making them a pivotal aspect of ATS optimization. Neglecting keywords can result in your resume being filtered out and receiving fewer or even no interviews.
To identify the right keywords, start by thoroughly examining the job description. Highlight keywords, phrases, and qualifications the employer values. These are often specific skills, certifications, software, or industry-related terms.
Integrate these keywords naturally throughout your resume. Include them in your resume objective, skills section, work experience, and anywhere else that's applicable. However, be sure not to overdo it. Keyword stuffing can raise red flags for both ATS systems and human reviewers.
4. Include additional work experience
Only do this when it’s relevant. If you can’t make it relevant whatsoever, you may be better off omitting it from your ATS resume.
Almost every job seeker has experiences to include on their resume, such as:
- Volunteering
- Side-projects and coursework
- Certifications
- Internship
- Training
We only suggest adding these experiences if they demonstrate relevance to a requirement of the job description.
5. Include Your Relevant Skills
At Rezi, we’ve had over 1,500 resumes reviewed. One of the key takeaways of seeing such diverse resumes is this:
Competitive job seekers have deep, transferable skills.
Here are some examples of top skills to include in your ATS optimized resume:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Leadership
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Time Management
- Creativity
- Teamwork
The less competitive job seekers have fewer and more common skills that hiring managers can find from almost anyone. If you have any other relevant skills that aren’t too common, use it to your advantage!
6. A one-page resume is enough
A one-page resume is often enough for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it forces job seekers to focus on their most relevant and impactful experiences, which is particularly crucial in today's competitive job market. Hiring managers often have limited time to review applications, and a concise one-page resume ensures that your most important qualifications are front and center. It compels candidates to highlight their standout achievements, key skills, and qualifications, leaving no room for unnecessary information.
Secondly, a one-page resume is highly reader-friendly. Hiring managers appreciate the clarity and brevity of a one-page document, as it allows them to quickly grasp a candidate's suitability for the role. In contrast, lengthy resumes can overwhelm the reader and dilute the impact of essential information.
What Is The Best Resume Template for ATS?
We specialize in helping our users get past the ATS, land an interview, and secure a new career. Our ATS resume templates will help you overcome the first obstacle in the hiring process by giving you the format you need as well as a list of things you need to include.
Let’s break down our Database Administrator ATS-optimized resume sample that got our candidate hired at Georgia Tech:
This ATS resume example is a simple yet effective template and format for both the ATS and a human reader. They’ve also avoided including weak action verbs in their resume and thus highlighted their skills and strengths.
As recruiters skim through their application, they’ll find resume buzzwords to avoid along the way too.
To see our ATS-optimized resume tips in action, let’s have a look at how each concept has been applied in the example above:
- The contact section is only one line long, containing only the essential details
- Each resume section has been titled in a way that’s relevant to the job position. In the education section, you’ll notice how I.T, tech, and admin keywords are included
- ATS keywords have been embedded throughout this ATS resume such as data analytics, administration, etc.
- Additional work experience has been included under the “projects” resume section
- All the relevant skills have been clearly outlined at the bottom
- The resume length is exactly one page long
We have more ready to use resume templates - great news is, all of them are ATS-compliant!
As they’re all designed to overcome the applicant tracking system, you only need to focus on writing the content of your resume. We’ve taken care of the ATS-friendly part of it for you so you don’t have to!
Common ATS Resume Pitfalls
While ATS systems can be your best friend in landing that dream job, they can also be your worst enemy if you're not mindful of their quirks. Here are some of the most common ATS resume pitfalls to watch out for:
1. Incorrect File Formats: ATS systems have preferences when it comes to file formats. Stick to common types like .docx or .pdf, as these are generally more compatible. Avoid less common formats that might not be recognized.
2. Using Fancy Templates: Elaborate templates, fancy fonts, and complex designs might look visually appealing, but they can confuse the ATS. Stick to clean, simple layouts for your resume.
3. Images and Graphics: While a photo on your resume might seem like a nice personal touch, ATS systems are not equipped to analyze images. Avoid including photos, graphics, or logos on your resume.
4. Tables and Text Boxes: ATS systems may struggle to interpret content within tables and text boxes. If you use these elements, your resume's content might be misread or overlooked.
5. Keyword Stuffing: While using keywords is essential, overloading your resume with them can backfire. It can make your resume appear spammy and harm your chances of passing ATS screening.
6. Using Headers and Footers: Important information placed in headers or footers can be missed by ATS systems. It's best to keep crucial details within the main body of your resume.
Use Rezi AI Resume Builder to Easily Create an ATS Resume
Follow our resume tips and you’ll build a powerful, ATS-friendly resume that will get you an interview.
It’s easier when you start by using an ATS resume template and seeing what has worked for others. Taking that inspiration and using those ideas for your own helps you speed up the resume writing process as well as increase your chances.
The main thing to remember is including the keywords and skills to show you’re competent enough for the job vacancy.
Anything additional that’s relevant and shows you’re qualified is a must!
We understand that building a tailored resume every time you make a new application isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve made it easier for you with our AI keyword targeting tool and ATS templates.
We’re trusted by over 120,000 job seekers. Every time a user builds a resume with Rezi, they have a 62.18% chance for an interview!
In short, watch the video below to see how it works:
It takes less than a minute!
Summary
Let’s recap on how to create an ATS-optimized resume:
- Use space strategically—leave more room for including key details.
- Be intentional when titling your resume sections.
- Add keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.
- Mention relevant experience in an additional section when applicable.
- List relevant competencies and skills—add categories when you want to list a significant amount of abilities.
- Aim to keep your resume under one page.
And that’s a wrap!
Follow these steps, and you’ll have an ATS-optimized resume. To make the process quicker, easier, and more straightforward, I’d suggest using Rezi AI. All of our tools in our AI resume builder are designed to help you beat any company’s ATS and secure an interview.
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