How to Write an ATS-Optimized CV
Introduction
With the increase in contrived competition amongst candidates, a large chunk of applications never go under the supervision of human eyes - industry analysis by Jobvite, SHRM, and others suggest close to 75% of resumes are subjected to initial filtering through ATS software never making it to the hands of managers. An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a software that scans CVs for relevant keywords and skills, and proper formatting (ATS compliant), which makes optimization vital in today's technological era. This guide will help you put together an ATS-friendly CV that highlights critical keywords for both machines and hiring managers.
Regardless if you are a professional or a new graduate, learning how to create an ATS optimized CV can increase your chances of getting an interview. You will understand how ATS works, how to organize your resume properly, and how to ensure its readiness. Taking these steps along with the CVRocket.app tools will help you create an attention-grabbing resume, starting with the free 5 AI credits on offer to jumpstart your optimization quest today!
Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
What is ATS?
These days, nearly all employers use software called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes and rank them based on certain parameters such as keywords, skills, and overall presentation. Almost all large corporations (98% of Fortune 500 Companies) use these systems like the small companies are also picking them up. This technology helps with the hiring process by organizing and automating the initial candidate selection. The first step in understanding how to enhance your CV for these systems starts with recognizing what an ATS is.
How ATS Works
The ATS filters through the CVs received for a particular position trying to extract relevant data. It searches for keywords pertinent to the outlined responsibilities, checks the CV's format for proper structure and organization, and issues a score based on how relevant the CV is. Industry estimates indicate that ATS filters eliminate 50-70% of candidates before a human even gets to look at the CV, meaning it is the most important fence that needs to be scaled in the employment process. To overcome these challenges, you will have to make adjustments to your CV that resonate with its algorithms.
Why Optimization Matters
ATS optimization offers an advantage increasing visibility by 2-3 times as indicated in several studies on CVs. With the right CV, semi-automated sorting technologies cannot through tech error eliminate you providing an opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Setting the ground for what is required to efficiently optimize a CV in the subsequent sections, in this one the focus is on the reason why optimization is crucial.
Key Elements of an ATS Optimized CV
Structural Aspects: Simple and Straightforward Design
The simplest and most effective way to meet ATS requirements is through formatting. Fonts to use include Arial and Times New Roman in 11-12 pt. Size avoiding the use of tables, graphics, or any intricate designs that may pose a challenge to ATs. To improve ATS resume tips, the best recommendation is to use a single-column format to enhance usability across systems.
Content Filled With Keywords
The presence of keywords greatly influences ATS compatibility. To illustrate further, "project management" and "customer service" are powerful phrases that indicate relevance. These and many other keywords are marked by CVRocket.app, which facilitates making a resume that resonates with ATS algorithms.
Attention Grabbing Section Headings
CVs or resumes are scanned by ATS systems using recognizable section headings for organization. In order to categorize the information presented, use standard titles like Work Experience, Education, Skills and so on. Creativity in headings is discouraged because they might not be recognized. My Journey, as an example, is not optimal for CVs meant for applicant tracking systems.
Contact Information and Type of File
Your CV should not only feature impressive skills, but it should also include basic contact information such as LinkedIn (optional), email and phone number. It is advisable that your file be saved as a .docx or .pdf, because ATS systems are incapable scanning images or documents. Following this step ensures that your ATS friendly resume tips are fully implemented.
Writing an ATS-Friendly Resume - Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Keyword Research
At the very beginning, you have to go through the job posting thoroughly, and from there pull out 10-15 skills or phrases that stand out to you. For eg: In a "marketing manager" job posting, you could identify "campaign analysis", "SEO" or even "digital marketing". With CVRocket.app's keyword tool, you can further analyze the keywords, making the process much quicker. There, you'll learn the ins and outs of how to write an ATS optimized CV.
Step 2: Your CV structuring
Put your CV in this order for maximum ATS efficiency: Contact Information, Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills. Use action verbs for restating your experience like "developed" or "managed". Also remember to quantify your achievements. Readability matters to both the ATS and a human reviewer. Say, for example, "I increased sales by 20%". It should always be noted that this structure is a major part of how to write an ATS optimized CV.
Step 3: Keyword stuffing is a no go, but keyword integration is encouraged!
Adding keywords into summaries, experiences, and even in skills without going overboard can be very helpful in achieving optimal ATS efficiency. Repeating a single term constantly will always have the negative effect too. For an example, instead of using the term "marketing" five times, you could replace three of those with "market research" or "brand strategy". That is natural keyword integration, and it is one of the sought after ATS resume tips to staying in the green zone when it comes to keyword heavy documents.
Step 4: Check for And Change Formatting
Perform spell check and look for uniformity in dates and bullet points as final touches on your CV. Use an ATS simulator like Jobscan to assess the document and make changes according to feedback. This step makes sure all attempts made to improve the CV and applicant tracking systems are fruitful.
Things Not To Over Do
Too Much Color or Graphics
Because ATS systems can't read images or designs, most will outright reject the CV. Opting for a colorful CV might seem appealing, but if decorations are necessary, text-based icons should be used. Not putting in graphics is the best way to optimize CV for applicant tracking systems.
Not Paying Attention To Specific Job Keywords
A generic CV is bound to fail the ATS screening simply because there were no specific terms present. Make sure to customize every application to include the appropriate phrases from the job opening description. This strategy will improve the chances of getting through the CV screening process we all dread.
Using Or Submitting Wrong Document Formats
Documents that are too heavy like PDFs or scanned documents are bound to fail ATS parsing due to inappropriate formatting. A simple text copy ensures compatibility which helps alleviate struggle when learning ways on how to write an ATS optimized CV. Always keep these documents saved as a plain text to ensure compatibility.
Testing and Refining Your CV
Using CVRocket.app's AI Tools to Optimize CVs for ATS
With CVRocket.app, testing the compatibility of your CV with ATS systems is a seamless process. The AI technology present in CVRocket.app scans your CV for job descriptions using sophisticated algorithms, providing a matching score alongside key suggestions for document optimization. This innovative platform is accessible to all job seekers aiming to perfect their resumes, as they offer five AI credits for free.
Other Testing Resources and Feedback
This platform can be complemented with other free resources like Jobscan or Resunate. An interesting strategy is to scan your CV alongside a job description for these platforms and utilize the score as a guide to refine the document further. A trusted advisor can provide valuable feedback regarding the clarity and comprehension of the CV while ensuring that it meets the standards of ATS, thus finalizing your resume tips.
Conclusion
Writing an ATS-friendly CV is crucial in today's competitive environment, from knowing how an ATS works to framework your resume and running checks on it. Averting common mistakes and using CVRocket.app will help to increase your odds of landing an interview exponentially. Begin with knowing how to write an ATS-optimized CV. Sign up for CVRocket.app today to receive five free AI credits and build a resume that gets chosen by both machines and hiring managers!
