Applicant Tracking Systems: What do you need to know?
Back in the day…Ugh! How old does statement that make me sound??? Regardless, back in the day, applying for a job was cumbersome and manual. Just like everything else, the process has become electronic and less complicated. However, for it to be less complicated, it is important to be prepared before you start the application. What do you need to know about applicant tracking systems?
Here are a few quick tips:
- Formatting – keep your formatting consistent and clean. When resumes are uploaded into an applicant tracking system or ATS, formatting can become distorted. Recruiters are aware of this and make concessions. That said, if your resume contains a bunch of different fonts and formatting, the distortion becomes more complicated to navigate. Keep it simple and consistent. This leads me to the next tip…
- PDF – whenever possible, upload a PDF when applying for a job. A PDF will not get distorted or jumbled and your resume will, in most cases, upload exactly how you have created it. This is not always the case with GoogleDocs or Word. A well written resume without distortion is much easier for a recruiter to review.
- Keywords – ATS systems search for keywords. If you are not using the proper keywords for the role, your resume may never get seen. When writing your resume, make sure it is targeting the roles for which you are applying. You can do this by understanding the role and using the keywords that are applicable to the role.
- ATS Notifications – Employers set up automatic notifications with their applicant tracking systems. You may receive a notification that your resume was received, don’t read into the message. It does not mean rejection, nor does it mean you will receive a call. AT systems have several automated notifications. These messages are to provide you information. Don’t give that message your energy. Be patient.
Finally, job hunting is a job in itself. In most cases, it takes more than one application to land your ideal role. Be patient. Stay with it. Always, make sure you start with a well constructed resume.
If you need resume help, message me at:
Kristin@HRCreativeConsulting.com
Check out other resume tips on my blog: https://hrcreativeconsulting.com/blog/
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