When you’re applying for jobs, you want to make sure your CV is seen by the right person. With Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) being used more and more by companies, your CV might not even get read if it’s not optimised for these systems.
ATS are software that help employers manage the recruitment process. They filter CVs and only forward the most relevant ones to employers for them to review. This can be done by scanning the content of your CV for specific keywords related to the job you’re applying for.
To make sure your CV gets through the ATS and into the hands of a recruiter, you need to optimise it.
Layout and fonts
Your CV should be formatted in a standardised way so that it can be easily read and processed by the ATS. Make sure to include all the necessary information, such as name, address, and contact details.
The ATS is designed to sift applicants based on specific information set out by the recruiter. The layout should be clear, concise and easy to process by the ATS. And it should be written is clear fonts such as Ariel or Times New Roman sized at about 11 or 12 points.
The good news is if you follow the steps set out in Creating a Killer CV/Resume you will get this right from the start.
Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases that you target when writing your CV. They’re important because they trigger the ATS’s search engine optimization (SEO) features. By including keywords in your resume, cover letter, application form, and even your name, you can help ensure that your CV/resume is found by the ATS.
The recruiter will have defined precisely what they are looking for in the job advert and job description. Some employers use a person specification. You will find the most important keywords in all these documents but its also worth researching the employer and vacancy for keywords.
You will need to include the keywords throughout the documument from the top to the bottom.
If ever there was an argument to tailor your CV/Resume to the vacancy, this is it.
How to increase your ranking in an ATS
Consider this a check list.
- Make sure that all of the information included on your CV is accurate and up-to-date.
- Include keywords throughout.
- Make use of headings to break up the text into manageable chunks that are easier for the ATS to process.
- Use keyword rich titles for each section of your CV so that they stand out more prominently from the rest.
- Save your finished CV/resume as a PDF which is the best format for the ATS.
Keep it simple
Avoid using graphics, colours, or text boxes on your CV/resume, as these may not be displayed properly on an ATS. There is no need to go overboard on the layout. It just needs to be simple, clear, organised and accessible.
And finally…
Your CV/resume is one of the most important tools in your job search toolkit. It is your marketing document that introduces you to potential employers and helps them determine if you are a good fit for a position. For this reason, it is important to make sure your CV/resume is optimised for an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). If optimised well you may find you get shortlisted for the job you deserve.