How can you ensure your resume passes the ATS and reaches human hands?

There are plenty of online tools to use for this. Many of them are free or have free versions to use for your first few run-throughs. Please note that buzzwords and keywords are NOT the same thing. Resumes should not have buzzwords (ex: detail-oriented, highly focused). Keywords are core functional terms that highlight your skillsets.

A referral or networking method is the most effective way to reach the hiring manager with our CV. In the event that passing ATS is inevitable, our CV should be carefully tailored to the industry/company/job description to achieve this goal. Keyword scanning is one way an ATS flags resumes for closer review and the CV summary section, conveniently, can serve as an extra block of relevant keywords. Mentioning our skills in the CV summary makes our application more optimized for both human and digital review. What skills should be combined for a particular job application? We can print out the JD of the role and take a highlighter to it marking any skills we see listed that we have. Then, we check that these skills are in our CV.

Think of the ATS as a robot scanner. It prioritizes resumes based on keywords, so if your skills and experience don't match the keywords listed in the job description, your resume might get lost in the digital abyss. That's why my number one tip is to become a keyword champion. Read the job description closely – it's basically a blueprint for the ideal candidate. Identify the key skills, tools, certifications, and experience they're looking for, and then weave those words organically throughout your resume. Don't just stuff them in – make sure they reflect your actual capabilities.

Tailor your resume to the job description and ensure that you use the same keywords in your resume. Keywords can be in a list of skills or core competencies. They can also be sprinkled throughout your resume as you showcase your career highlights and achievements. One word of caution, make sure the keywords are relevant to both the job as well as the work you have done. Don't try to "beat" the ATS by keyword loading. If you do this and it does make it to human eyes, it will quickly be ruled out if it is confusing or sounds too good to be true.

I am personally a great fan of keeping the resume simple and elegant. A few steps to do so: 1. Go for simple and elegant designs. 2. Tailor your designs and make sure you format it. 3. Stick to Arial or Times Roman format for resume. 4. Make sure resume is clean and do not leave white spaces

Applicant tracking systems are all about readability, so formatting finesse is crucial. Imagine your resume as a website – it needs to be clear, navigable, and scannable. Bullet points are your best friend, using clear and concise language. Standard fonts like Arial or Calibri are safe bets. Save the fancy graphics and creative layouts for your online portfolio.

Beware of using templates. Some are not formatted correctly and won't allow crucial data to populate the applicant tracking system. Not all templates are bad, just make sure they come from a reliable source such as a professional resume writer who offers them to customers who prefer to DIY their resume. Submit your resume as a word document or a text file and not as a PDF unless you are specifically instructed to do so.

Your current or former employer may have used unique titles for their employees, however, keep in mind that a recruiter will be searching their database using the traditional job title. For example, if you were the Sales Architect or the Manager of First Impressions, use more traditional titles such as Sales Manager and Receptionist. You can always put the unique title used by your current or former employer in parenthesis.

Now, let's talk achievements. Don't just list your past responsibilities – that's what your job description is for. I want to see results. Quantify your accomplishments with metrics. Did you streamline a process, saving the company X amount of dollars? Did you lead a project that resulted in a Y% increase in efficiency? Numbers grab attention and paint a clear picture of your impact.

Highlighting your achievements can be daunting. Take it one bullet at a time. Aim to add one number to each bullet. It can be a PERCENTAGE (e.g., showing an increase in team members, revenue, customers, or customer satisfaction or showing a reduction of time spent or materials used), a TIME REFERENCE (e.g., how much time was spent on something), the number of TEAM MEMBERS you worked with or who reported to you, etc. Adding numbers gives prospective employers a bigger picture of the environment you worked in, what you brought to the table, and how it impacted the company. This shows you're invested and want the company to succeed rather than just being in it for yourself. It also exhibits various soft skills without having to spell them out.

The best way to beat the ATS is to ensure your resume gets flagged for the recruiter by a colleague who tells them you've applied. This is why building a network of advocates is critical - it's far more effective for you to network your way into your target company than just relying on your resume and cold applying.