In today’s fiercely competitive job market, a well-crafted CV is your ultimate chance to stand out from the crowd. However, with a majority of companies relying on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to handle their recruitment processes, it’s not just about impressing and grabbing the attention of hiring managers anymore. Your CV must also pass the ATS to even have a chance at reaching the desk of a hiring manager.
We know that it sounds daunting, but not to worry, as we will explore the secret tips that will assist you in successfully passing the ATS and will bring your CV to the notice of potential employers. In this blog, we’ll unveil the hidden techniques to optimize your CV for ATS. It can help you in ensuring it passes through the initial screening and drives you one step closer to your career. So let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to CV success!
CV Writing Tips to Help You Ace the ATS Test and Get Your Dream Job
Find and Add Relevant Keywords to Your Resume
One of the most important tips is to add relevant keywords to your CV. If you are unaware, then resume keywords are phrases or words describing any specific job and its qualifications. These words can be based on the year of experience, job role, company requirements or other factors. The effective way to find these keywords is by reviewing the job posting. Highlight the specific words that are used to describe the ideal candidate for the job. If you think you will be the right fit, construct your resume using the same words. Apart from the job description, if you dream of getting a position in a specific company, you can do a good in-depth search. Make sure that you read their values, culture and mission statement. Write your resume to reflect the company’s work environment and vision.
Pick an ATS-friendly CV Format
As we are all aware that there is a specific format that the candidates must follow in CV writing. A template with minimal design and elements is essential to pass the ATS test. These systems go through the text present in your CV; if you use significant features and complex design, then it might miss valuable information about you. By using ATS-friendly documents, you can ensure that the software captures every little detail. Many formats are available online, but not all are suitable. The best way is to keep less focus on headings and more on the content present in the resume.
Choose the File Format That Is Readable By the ATS
ATS is software that reads the resume and finds the best candidate. The majority of applicants save and send their resume in PDF format. PDF is a common type of file format that makes the saving process easier. However, it is crucial to remember that ATS reads the CV before the hiring manager. When the software goes through your resume in PDF format, there is a high chance that it faces trouble reading the text of the document. As PDF is not a textual document, the system views it as one large image. To avoid this, one vital tip is to save and share your CV in a Word document as it is easy to read. But it is important to read the requirements of the employers and keep them as your first priority.
Don’t Add Important Information in the Header or Footer
The header and footer are key parts of your resume; you can add information like contact details or name. But this approach is good only if a human recruiter is checking the CVs. One useful tip for passing the ATS is to minimize the information you write in the header and footer. The reason behind this is that some tracking software might not read the start and end of the document as it is difficult to scan. If you give your personal details like email or contact number, then they will be ignored, and you won’t get the job in your desired position.
Tailor the Resume According To the Job Role
Adding personalization can never go wrong for you as an applicant. It can always be beneficial for you to tailor the CV according to the job role that you apply. Rather than sending the same CV to every employer, adding the skills and keywords that are relevant to the specific company is a brilliant way to achieve success in the job-seeking process. It is important to remember that the system filters your resumes, and the ones that are more relevant and in a proper manner are selected for the next round. If you lack time and skills to edit your old resume into a new one, we recommend hiring a professional CV editing service.
Avoid Using Complex Images and Elements
There is a possibility that your resume might appear scrambled or unclear in the scanning process if you add images. As a result, the system might put you on the list of unqualified applicants for the job role. It is best to avoid any complex elements like images, graphs or charts. The only thing that you should highlight is the education and work experience in your resume under the simple heading. This approach can make your CV easy to read and can help you achieve your career goals.
Conclusion
As we know, the world is going towards advancements, and people are adapting to it. In the recruitment process, the majority of companies now take help from applicant tracking software. The software is designed to scan the resumes and take the best one out. In order to stand out from other candidates, it is important to structure and design your resume in a way that it can pass the ATS. We hope after reading this blog, you know useful tips like adding keywords, avoiding complex design, choosing the correct format and more to get your dream job. Although it is time taking and requires extra effort to create your resume according to the system, a well-written CV can take your career to a new level of success.