Introduction

Have you ever discussed job applications with professionals? If your answer is yes, then being told a good resume goes a long way will probably be the most common advice you’ll hear. And that is true by all accounts, however, the definition of a good resume is where things can get hazy if you’re not up to date with how companies carry out their hiring. 

There was a time when resumes had to be flashy—think graphs, charts, even comparison tables to stand out. However, the problem is that there is a lot of competition for most positions in good companies and the number of applications received for a certain job can be overwhelming for the hiring staff. Hence, to help recruiters sift through the piles of job applications, the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) came along. 

The sole purpose of the ATS was to help recruiters by highlighting the most suitable candidates for a specific job based on the applicants’ submitted resumes. So, the key to getting hired for a specific role has become how ATS-friendly your resume is, bringing us to the topic at hand “How to optimize your resume for ATS?” If you want to know how you can get a fighting chance at that job you’ve been trying to get for the past so many years, we suggest you read on. 

As a bonus for sticking around we’ll let you in on a secret at the end that will help you even more in landing your dream job. 

Creating an ATS-friendly Resume

After discussing what exactly ATS is and its importance, it makes sense to look at the process of creating an ATS-friendly resume. Let us just say here that the KISS rule is King, we won’t tell you what this abbreviation stands for lest we offend someone – but it simply means keeping things simple, clear or easy to understand.  

To befriend the ATS go back to the basic layout and include straightforward headings, like education, skills, work experience, and others. Don’t use graphs, tables and charts as they can make it difficult for the ATS to parse and understand your resume. A simple straightforward layout with a clear design will increase your chances of reaching the next level.

Furthermore, for listing achievements use bullet points. Keep sentences short and concise. Creating your resume in this way will make it easy for both humans and machines to understand and scan respectively.

Now let’s proceed to the best formatting techniques to employ when making your resume ATS friendly.

Best Resume Formatting for ATS Techniques

Having the right formatting goes a long way in making your resume more ATS-friendly. One thing is to set your margins between 0.5 and 1 inch. Use common and well-known business fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri. Avoid adding your important details in the header or footer of the resume, instead place your contact information in the main body of the document.

Remember, short paragraphs and clear sections improve readability. Each compound sentence should not exceed 19 words. A clean layout with plenty of white space makes your document accessible; following this technique can increase your chances of getting a high match rate in ATS filters.

Next, we’ll be looking at the most critical aspect of ATS optimization – Keywords.

Using ATS Resume Keywords Effectively

Simplicity and clear formatting allow the ATS to scan your resume better, but what really makes it fall in love with your job application? Well, those are keywords — words that help the ATS system select your resume for the job you applied for. 

To pick out the right keywords, you should carefully read the job description. Scan for job-related terms that are repeated often and jargon that only an experienced professional qualified for the role would know. Then include these ATS-focused keywords naturally throughout your resume. Use them in your professional summary, skills section, and work experience bullet points.

Let’s look at which resume layouts are the most effective when it comes to ATS optimization.

Selecting the Best Resume Layout Format for ATS

Choosing the right format is vital. A reverse-chronological or hybrid format layout is usually the best option. These formats display your work history in a clear, logical order. Your most recent roles are shown first, making it easier for ATS to parse your information.

A reverse-chronological format builds credibility by showcasing recent achievements. A hybrid format blends skills with work history. This is especially useful if you have career gaps or varied roles. In contrast, a functional format may not perform as well with ATS software.

Practical Steps for ATS Optimization

Having gone through the various aspects of a resume you can tweak to make it more ATS friendly, let us summarize them below.

1. Tailor your resume for each job.

   Read each job description and adjust your keywords accordingly.

2. Keep your sentences short and clear.

   Limit compound sentences to no more than 19 words.

3. Use bullet points to list achievements.

   This makes it easier for the ATS to pick up critical information.

4. Regularly update your resume.

   Trends and job descriptions change quickly, so keep your document current.

5. Save your file in a compatible format.

   Use .docx or PDF files that are known to be ATS-friendly.

Following these steps will help you pass the initial screening and increase your chances of getting noticed. You can get free sample templates here.

Now at the beginning, we promised you a bonus.  When it comes to making your dream job a reality, video resumes can provide the best chance. Not to mention, they are more or less the future.

Why Video Resumes Are the Future? 

Traditional and ATS-optimized resumes are good to an extent; however, they have significant limitations. For example, the system cannot capture the soft skills or the real potential of an applicant. The ATS method because of formatting requirements might overlook essential details. Furthermore, the extensive reliance on keywords and layouts can result in ideal candidates for the role getting skipped.

Video resumes allow applicants to showcase personality, communication skills, and adaptability—qualities that are hard to quantify in text. Embracing innovative methods can bridge the gap between technology and human potential. Companies like DigitalHire allow job seekers to explore digital solutions that tell their stories more authentically through the use of video resumes on their platforms. 

In Conclusion

With that, we have reached the end, and we hope we were able to give you valuable insight on how you can optimize your resume for ATS. Also, remember that you can utilize video resumes to increase your chances of getting hired even more. The fact of the matter is that in an evolving job market, alternative methods can help you stand out beyond the limits of ATS software. 

Want to take the technological leap? You can set up a Video Resume here.