Getting Your Resume Past the All-Important Applicant Tracking System
by Amy Schofield, ACRW

The applicant tracking system (ATS) is the latest trend in hiring.  It is a computerized software program/database system that scans resumes based on the requirements and qualifications necessary for available positions. An ATS allows companies to determine which applicants may be a better fit for a particular position, based on their resume.

When there are a large number of applicants for a position, an ATS allows hiring managers to screen out low-ranking resumes, saving them valuable time. This translates to potentially bad news for jobseekers.  If your resume is not structured in a way that fits the applicant tracking system, it can enter the"resume black hole" and a recruiter or hiring manager may not be able to  find you even if you are the best fit for a position.

According to Preptel (one type of ATS company), 75 percent of resumes are not compliant with applicant tracking systems. Therefore, knowing how an ATS operates is critical in today's job search. Below are some tips for structuring your resume to help get it passed an ATS:

1. Use standard font: Arial, Georgia, Tahoma, Times New Roman, Trebuchet, and Verdana are all "safe" choices.
2. Use simple formatting: Do not use tables or headers/footers as most ATS cannot read content included in a table and header/footer section.
3. Use proper capitalization and punctuation: Both of these can affect how information is analyzed within an ATS.
4. Do not include images or graphics: An ATS can only scan written text.
5. Do not use expanded text: An ATS will analyze each letter as a word, ultimately lowering your scanned resume score.
   
6. Include a few, clearly defined sections: Summary, Work Experience, and Education are some examples. ATS will scan your resume and automatically categorize these sections if they are included on your resume. If you do not use a clearly defined section, an ATS will have a more difficult time scoring your resume.
   
7. Line dates on the right side of your resume for your dates of employment: This is crucial when listing dates for employment so that your amount of experience for each position can be calculated correctly. Listing dates on the left side of your resume may throw off an ATS.
8. Proofread and edit your resume: An ATS will not recognize misspelled words, so make sure you thoroughly edit your resume. Do not rely on spellcheck!
9. Tailor your resume to each position you apply for: If you incorporate relevant, targeted keywords and phrases for the type of position being sought, an ATS will score your resume higher, thus flagging you as a better match.

Remember that in today's job-searching world, having the perfectly-structured resume is just as important as having the required skill set needed to perform the job. Once you have mastered these techniques, you will likely see better results when submitting your resume to positions.

Amy Schofield, Academy Certified Resume Writer, has been in the recruiting, career coaching, and resume writing fields for 10+ years. She has provided resume development strategies to job seekers worldwide who come from various backgrounds and experience levels. Amy is the founder of Schofield Strategies and is the author of Resume Writing 101 Tips and Techniques, a comprehensive guidebook for individuals who want to create their own resume using current industry trends. Schofield Strategies was the recipient of the 2013 Military Family Member Community Heartbeat Award.

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