Have you heard of Applicant Tracking Systems? Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about them screening CVs and rejecting an application before a human sees it.
The truth is, these days that’s quite unlikely to happen. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about ATS at all, but you don’t need to worry as much as some stories might have you believe!
Read on to find out everything you need to know.
What are Applicant Tracking Systems?
Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are computer software programs used in the recruitment process. They can collate, store, and sort through hundreds of CVs to save recruiters valuable time. They scan for keywords and can sort CVs by relevance based on how many of those keywords they contain.
If you’re a recruiter, you’re probably jumping for joy at the thought of how much time ATS will save you. But if you’re a candidate, you’ll need to make sure your CV shows how relevant your skills and experience are.
When faced with piles of CVs for one vacancy, it is understandable to turn to AI to make life easier. It also applies a layer of consistency to the assessment of each application.
However, ATS is far from perfect. It is only as good as the keywords it is programmed to search for. If the candidate describes the same skills or experience, but without keywords, then it might not be as obvious that they meet the criteria.
The ideal candidate for a job could find themselves missing out, before interview, simply because they didn’t use the right words. However, this is also true when a person reads your CV, so it isn’t just an issue for ATS.
So, what does this mean for your CV?
If you’re a candidate applying for jobs, learning about ATS might send you into a tailspin…
Please, don’t panic!
Here are some sure-fire ways to optimise your CV so ATS (and humans!) spot your relevant skills:
Keywords Are…Key.
When it comes to ATS, keywords are your tool to unlock the algorithm. Keywords are words or phrases in the job description that describe the main attributes of the ideal candidate.
As a candidate, you need to include them in your CV to show that you are exactly the person they’ve been looking for. Some keywords may be specific to the role like, ‘data analysis’ or might be verbs like ‘maximised’ or ‘created’.
Using these keywords also makes your CV sound like the job description. This is essential to highlight how relevant your experiences/skills are. Anyone reading your CV is likely to be scanning it quickly so using the same terminology as the job description creates the overall impression that you are a ‘good fit’ for this role.
Top Tip: If you use acronyms to describe elements of your experience, you should also spell them out. You won’t be able to tell which version is the keyword that ATS is searching for, so it is a good idea to use both.
Avoid Fancy Formatting
When you’re writing a CV, the instinct is often to make it eye catching with fancy formatting and maybe even a photo. Here’s my tip – don’t!
When it comes to writing a CV, clean and simple is the key. This makes it easy to scan (by a human eye and ATS) and draws their attention to the key points you want to get across.
Avoid fancy formatting, graphs and images. Use a simple font like arial or calibri then use your opening summary to grab attention. Some older ATS systems may struggle to read fancy formatting, so keep it simple.
Top Tip: Always send your document in the format specified by the job advert. If none is specified, send as a Word document.
Tailor Your CV
If you’ve read my tips for writing a great CV, you’ll know that tailoring your CV is good practice, especially if it may be scanned through Applicant Tracking Systems.
Make sure that your CV includes the relevant keywords for the job you are applying for. You might find that there are similarities amongst jobs, but it is important to review each job description separately.
Similarly, you can also change how you describe your experience to prioritise more relevant duties/roles. Ensure that you also incorporate keywords and you will be sure to improve your CV.
Top tip: When you’ve made changes, have a final read through of your CV to make sure it still reads well. Remember, the goal is that a human will read it and see how relevant your experience is for the vacancy. Make it as easy as possible for them to see that!
Other routes to your dream job
If you’ve written a tailored CV, which is also ATS-friendly, how else can you improve your chances of securing an interview?
In one word: NETWORKING.
Making and nurturing relationships with industry colleagues has always been a good way to get noticed. It can also be a great way to hear about vacancies early and possibly even be put forward as a potential candidate.
Nowadays, this happens online as well as offline. Be sure to optimise your LinkedIn profile, using those same keywords that you put in your CV. Make connections online and establish yourself in your field.
Top tip: If you’re unsure where to start with your LinkedIn profile, check out my blog covering what you should include.
Ready to get started?
Now it’s time to put that all into action.
Start by looking at job descriptions and picking out the keywords and phrases. Work them into your CV and describe your experience using the wording of the job description. Even if you’re not thinking about Applicant Tracking systems, this is good practice to tailor your CV.
Once you have the wording right, look at formatting. Make sure it is clean and simple. You want it to be easily readable and ensure the key facts will catch the eye as someone scans it.
Simple, right?…
If writing this sort of CV sounds tricky, don’t worry. I can help.
Here at Military Spouse Works, I can create or edit your CV to make sure it sells your skills and experience in the best way. I can also optimise your LinkedIn profile to support your online networking.
If you’re interested in finding out more, send me an email at info@militaryspouseworks.com today.