Are you thinking about applying for a job? Have you already applied for a job and received no responses? The question is will your resume get past an applicant tracking system? If your resume is over seven years old or has too many disqualifying words, the answer is no. Here is what you need to know about getting your application past an applicant tracking system.
What is an Applicant Tracking System?
An applicant tracking system is an algorithm that works in the same way a search engine like Google or Bing does. It scans resumes looking for certain keywords or phrases. According to ZipJob, 95% of large companies and 50% of mid-sized companies are using applicant tracking systems, and those numbers are expected to go up over the next few years.
Why Should I Worry About My Resume?
If your resume is not written and formatted in the right way, it won’t be seen by the person who is hiring for the job to which you applied. Using the earlier example of Google and Bing, the applicant tracking system does what it is told; in other words, it searches for skills that a hiring manager wants in an employee. If your resume does not have the right keywords or has too many vague disqualifying phrases, your resume will not be ranked high enough to be seen by a hiring manager.
Should I Add Things Like Pictures or Lines to My Resume to Make it Look Better?
If you want to know if you should punch-up your resume with things like pictures, borers, and watermarks, the answer is absolutely not. Remember, you are basically dealing with an AI when an applicant tracking system scans your resume. It will only be “confused” by things like pictures and watermarks. The cleaner your resume is, meaning uncluttered with extra formatting, then the better it will be received by an applicant tracking system.
The Odds are Against Your Resume
An average of 250 applications are sent for each opening; that number is greater in larger cities. Out of all the resumes that are sent for a job opening, 75% will be rejected by an applicant tracking system. Using the correct keywords relevant to the position to which you are applying will give you a greater chance of your resume being among the 25% accepted by applicant tracking systems.
Get the File Right
When you submit a resume for a position, be sure to use the .doc format instead of PDF. While many of the applicant tracking systems can scan PDFs, there are many more that can’t. In some cases, the employer may request a PDF, so keep both types of files handy.
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Let us rewrite your resume so that it will pass the applicant tracking system gatekeeper. We know what it takes to help you get interviews. Call us or fill out the contact form on this website. We will be in
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