Technology is transforming almost every aspect of our lives, and the job application process is no exception. To stay competitive in today's job market, it's important to have an ATS friendly resume. But what exactly is an ATS, and why does it matter

Your resume is the first thing potential employers see in today's competitive job marketplace. However, before your resume reaches a human recruiter, it must pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). An ATS is a software companies use to manage the hiring process, from receiving applications to tracking candidates throughout the various stages of the recruitment cycle.

Optimizing your resume for ATS is important to increase your chances of landing interviews. By following best practices for ATS optimization, you can ensure that the system parses your resume correctly and ranks highly among other applicants. In this blog post, we'll explore the key strategies for creating an ATS-friendly resume that will help you stand out and get noticed by recruiters.

At JobsCruze, we offer ATS-compliant templates that organize your work experience and details in the best way for easy reading. Our resume builder is designed to be simple and quick, so you can create a professional-looking resume without hassle. Our resumes are made to work perfectly with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)! Recruiters use ATS to quickly find important information from resumes. Our team has studied many ATS systems to know what works best for job seekers. Choose JobsCruze to ensure your resume gets noticed and increases your chances of landing an interview!

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to filter and organize resumes. When you submit your resume online, chances are it first goes through an ATS, which scans it for specific keywords and phrases related to the job. If your resume doesn’t meet the ATS's requirements, it might never reach a hiring manager.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to optimize your ATS resume so it’s more likely to be noticed.

Why is an ATS-Friendly Resume Important?

To stand out in the crowded job market, you need an ATS compliant resume. When hiring managers use an ATS, they search for resumes that match specific keywords from the job description. If your resume isn't formatted correctly or doesn't include the right keywords, it may never reach the human eye.

An ATS friendly resume template will help ensure your resume is parsed and ranked correctly by these systems.

Steps to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume

Creating an ATS friendly resume does not need to be complex. Here’s a simple, step-by-step process to make sure your resume gets noticed:

1. Include the Job Title in Your Resume Headline

Your resume's headline is the first thing hiring managers will notice. Make sure it's relevant to the position you're applying for. For example, if the job title is “Marketing Manager,” your resume headline could be:

“Skilled Marketing Manager with 5+ Years in Digital Campaigns.”

This simple change can help ensure your resume matches the job description and is found by ATS software.

2. Add Relevant Skills from the Job Description

When reading a job posting, make note of key skills that are mentioned multiple times. These are often the words that ATS software will search for. For instance, if a job description mentions “project management” repeatedly, be sure to add that phrase to your resume (if you have the skill).

Pro Tip: Always use the exact wording from the job description. This helps your resume match the ATS for resume search criteria.

3. Use Keywords Correctly

Ensure you use both the full term and its acronym. For example, if the job mentions Customer Relationship Management (CRM), include both "Customer Relationship Management" and "CRM" in your resume. This enhances your chances of being recognized by the ATS.

4. Choose an ATS-Friendly Format

An ATS format resume is typically simple and easy to read. The chronological resume is the most ATS-friendly structure, as it lists your work experience in reverse order. This format ensures the ATS can easily parse your job titles, dates, and responsibilities.

Here’s a quick checklist for formatting your ATS-compliant resume:

• Use typical section headings, such as "Work Experience" or "Education."
• Avoid using headers, footers, or complex formatting.
• Stick with basic styles like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Use bullet points for listing responsibilities and achievements.

5. Make Your Resume Easy to Scan

ATS software and hiring managers both appreciate resumes that are easy to read. Here are some simple formatting tips to follow:

Use clear, simple language.

Use a font size of 11-12 pt. for body text and 14-16 pt. for section titles.

Keep your margins to about 1 inch on all sides.

Avoid special characters or unnecessary formatting like images and tables.

6. Avoid Common ATS Formatting Mistakes

Certain formatting choices can confuse ATS systems and cause your resume to be rejected. These mistakes include:

• Using images, graphics, or non-standard symbols.
• Listing experience in a non-standard order.
• Overusing unusual section titles or custom fonts.
• By avoiding these errors, you can ensure that your resume passes through ATS smoothly.

Key Strategies for ATS Optimization

1. Use Relevant Keywords

Keywords are important for getting your resume noticed by ATS. Here’s how to effectively incorporate them. Take your time to read job ads closely. Look for the skills, qualifications, and special words used in the industry that come up often. Use these keywords in your resume. If your job title is different from the one in the job description but is related, think about using the job title from the posting. This can help show that your experience matches the role. Incorporate both hard and soft skills mentioned in the job description. For example, if the job requires “project management,” make sure to include that exact phrase. List any relevant certifications or licenses exactly as they appear in the job description. This ensures that ATS recognizes your qualifications.

2. Choose the Right Format

The format of your resume can significantly impact its readability by ATS. Follow these guidelines. Save your resume as a Word document (.doc or .docx) unless the job posting specifically requests a PDF. Word documents work better with ATS. Use a clean and straightforward design. Avoid complex layouts, graphics, tables, or images, as these can confuse the ATS. Organize your resume into clear sections (e.g., Summary, Experience, Education, Skills) with easily identifiable headings.

3. Optimize Content for Readability

When making your resume, it's important to make it good for both computer programs and people to read. Here are some things to think about. Use bullet points to list your achievements and job duties. This makes it easier for people hiring to quickly read your resume. Don't try to fit in lots of special words. Use those words naturally when talking about your experience and abilities. Make sure your resume doesn't have any grammar or spelling mistakes. A resume that looks nice and neat shows you are professional and pay attention to details.

4. Include Contact Information Properly

Make sure your contact information is easily readable and located within the body of the resume, not in the header or footer. Many ATS struggle to read information placed in these areas, which can lead to missed opportunities.

5. File Type and Submission Guidelines

When submitting your resume to an ATS, it's important to follow the file type and naming conventions specified by the company. Most ATS are designed to work with common file types such as .docx (Microsoft Word) or .pdf (Adobe PDF). If no file type is specified, it's generally best to submit your resume as a .docx file. This format is widely compatible with ATS software and can be easily edited by recruiters if needed.

When naming your resume file, use a clear and descriptive filename that includes your name and the job title you're applying for. For example: "John_Doe_Marketing_Manager.docx". This helps recruiters quickly identify your resume and associate it with the specific job application.

6. Structuring Your Resume for ATS

To make your resume work well with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), you need to organize it so the system can read it easily. Here are the key sections to put in your resume.

Contact Information

At the top of your resume, provide your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Summary

Write a concise summary of your professional background, skills, and career goals.

Experience

List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with each position including your job title, the company name, dates of employment, and bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements.

Education

Include your educational background, including the degree, institution, and graduation year.

Skills

List your relevant skills, including both hard and soft skills, as well as any certifications or licenses you hold.

When writing your resume, use simple and clear words. Avoid using complicated language or special words only used in a particular field. Use bullet points to highlight your key accomplishments and responsibilities, and ensure that each bullet point begins with an action verb.

7. Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Application

It may be easy to use the same resume for all jobs, but it's important to change your resume for each job you apply to. Customizing your resume to match the job description can help the automated system identify you as a good candidate. To change your resume, carefully read the job description and find the most important words and requirements. Then, use those important words naturally in your resume to show that your skills and experience match what the job needs.

You can use the tool Jobscruze to check your resume against the job description and find ways to make it better. This tool gives you helpful feedback on how well your resume works with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and suggests ways to improve it for specific job openings.

Ready to Optimize Your Resume?

If you're feeling stuck, using an ATS-friendly resume template can be a great way to get started. Templates make it easy to follow the right structure and formatting, helping you craft a professional, optimized resume quickly.

Conclusion

Creating an ATS friendly CV is important in today's job market. By following these simple steps—choosing the right format, using the right keywords, and avoiding common mistakes you can boost your chances of landing an interview.

Take the time to tailor each resume to the job you're applying for, and use tools like an ATS resume template or a resume scanner to make sure your resume stands out in the ATS database. With the right approach, your resume is more likely to pass the digital screening and make it into the hands of hiring managers.