You spent hours crafting your resume, sent it off with great hopes – then crickets. No phone call. No email. Not even a rejection.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
In the current employment market, the majority of resumes never get to see human eyes. Why? Because they first need to go through an electronic gatekeeper – the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It is like a robotic recruiter that looks at your resume for keywords, format, and relevance before it gets to see a real desk. If your resume is not ATS-friendly, it could get filtered out without even a second look.
But here’s the bright side: with some clever tweaks, you can craft a resume that scans successfully and captures eyes. Here’s how:
1. Keep It Simple and Organized
- An ATS is not impressed with extravagant fonts or bold designs. It wants simplicity.
- Use plain fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Use font sizes between 10–12
- Bold headings, bullets for achievements
- No tables, columns, graphics, or icons – these confuse the machine
Pro tip: Stick with traditional section headings such as Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Anything too clever will confuse the ATS.
2. Reflect the Job Description
Each job listing is a map to the treasure – use it. If the job requires “data analysis” and “reporting tools,” comprise those words into your resume.
Don’t copy and paste the entire thing, but do highlight important skills and organically weave them into your:
- Summary
- Skills section
- Job responsibilities
3. Use Keywords, Not Buzzwords
Yes, keywords do matter. No, buzzword stuffing does not help. Your resume should demonstrate the skills and tools needed – but with context.
Rather than merely listing “communication, leadership, multitasking,” aim for impact:
For instance: “Managed a cross-functional team to deliver a marketing campaign that increased engagement by 40%.”
4. Choose the Right Format
Use a docx or plain PDF. Not all ATS systems scan PDFs properly, particularly those with artwork. Keep it simple.
5. Write a Pithy Summary
The beginning of your resume is valuable real estate. Use it to pitch your tale in 3 – 4 sentences.
Example: “5+ years of experience in digital strategy, SEO, and content marketing. Delivered increased organic traffic and spearheaded multi-channel campaigns.”
6. List Pertinent Hard and Soft Skills
The ATS adores details:
- Hard Skills: Excel, AutoCAD, Python, SEO
- Soft Skills: Project Management, Collaboration, Critical Thinking
- List both, but emphasize more on quantifiable skills and tools.
7. Don’t Let Typos Spoil It
Always proofread. Better still, have someone else check it. One spelling error can throw off the ATS – and your reputation.
The Bottom Line!
Getting past the ATS isn’t about gaming the system – it’s about understanding how it works. When you blend structure with substance and tailor your resume to the role, you increase your chances of getting seen, noticed, and shortlisted.
Your resume shouldn’t just exist – it should work for you.
Don’t let your ideal job fall between the cracks of a machine. At DC Consultants, our Career Enhancement Services are created to provide you with the edge – from ATS-optimized resumes to tailored career advice.
Make your next job application the one that gets you the interview.
Discover Career Enhancement Services and unlock your professional potential today!