How ATS evaluates your resume?

In today’s job market, understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work is crucial for job seekers. With most recruiters relying on ATS to streamline their hiring process, knowing how these systems function can give you a competitive edge. By optimizing your job applications and resume for ATS, you can significantly improve your chances of making it past the initial screening and landing that interview.

How ATS works?

We analyzed popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as Workable, Breezy, Greenhouse, and Workday to gain insight into how they operate. Our findings revealed that most ATS follow these key steps:

  • Data Extraction: ATS use various document parsers to extract information from resumes, including reading PDF and DOC files to retrieve text data.
  • Data structuring: After extracting the data, ATS organizes it into structured sections such as employment history, education, skills, and more.
  • Candidate Filtering: After gathering the structured data about candidates, ATS allow recruiters to apply advanced filters to screen candidates. For example, recruiters can apply filter “candidates who have more than 5 years of experience in MySQ” 

How to optimise resume for ATS?

Now that we understand how ATS processes resumes, we can use this knowledge to optimize our resumes for better compatibility. Here are some key considerations to help you tailor your resume for ATS:

  • Use clear and simple text in your resume to ensure the parser can easily extract information. Avoid complex images, unusual symbols, or decorative fonts that may confuse the ATS. Keeping it straightforward makes your resume more ATS-friendly. You can also use our free ATS Friendly Resume builder to ensure it automatically.
  • Use dates in standard formats which are easy for the resume parser to read and understand.
  • Avoid using tables in your resume. While modern resume parsers can sometimes read data from tables, it’s safer to avoid the risk altogether and stick to a simpler format.
  • Include relevant keywords in your resume. Recruiters often apply filters based on specific skills, and ATS rely on keyword matching to screen and qualify resumes. Ensure your resume includes the key terms mentioned in the job description to improve your chances of passing the initial screening.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work is essential for creating a resume that stands out in today’s competitive job market. By knowing the steps ATS use—data extraction, structuring, and filtering—you can strategically optimize your resume to increase its chances of passing the initial screening.

Keep your resume simple, use standard formatting, avoid risky design elements like tables, and include relevant keywords to align with job descriptions. By tailoring your resume with these tips, you’ll be better equipped to make a strong impression and improve your chances of landing an interview.

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