Have you sent your resume to many companies but haven’t heard back yet? The problem is often the formatting of the resume to be an ATS CV. Many people wonder how to write an ATS CV or, more precisely, how to write a resume that complies with ATS rules. To answer this question, we first need to define what an ATS is. ATS stands for “Applicant Tracking System.” But what is its importance?
The benefit of an ATS is that it simplifies the process of managing candidates for HR teams in large companies and speeds up the hiring process compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the system is completely impartial, treating male and female candidates equally and unbiased across different groups. Statistics show that 75% of medium and large companies, as well as startups, use various ATS programs to analyze and sort the thousands of resumes they receive daily.
ATS programs have a bad reputation as robots or machines that stand between you and your dream job. This reputation comes from the fact that these systems only read about 25% of resumes. This article will provide a comprehensive solution to the ATS CV problem with illustrative images and attached resume samples.
How does the ATS system work?
The ATS system is very similar to search engines. It consists of small robots that search through thousands of resumes to classify them according to how closely they match the company’s needs, filtering out those that are less relevant. For example, if you apply for a position as a journalist at a prestigious newspaper, the small robots will start analyzing your skills, experience, job title, and even the header. For instance, if you write:
“Passionate journalist with over 5 years of experience in leading magazines. Always considering results and reader satisfaction through using my strong communication skills.”
The ATS system will see:
“Journalist”
“5 years”
“Results and reader satisfaction”
“Strong communication skills”
In summary, an ATS CV is a resume that contains keywords matching the job description, such as years of experience, skills, and of course, the job title itself! So don’t neglect it. However, it’s not just about the chosen words; the format of the resume, its layout, and the fonts used must also be considered.
Best Fonts for ATS CV
Since we’re dealing with a computer, we should be mindful of the fonts used in the resume to achieve a satisfactory result. It’s advisable to use a simple and readable font. We suggest using one of the following font families:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Times New Roman
- Helvetica
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Verdana
- Cambria
- Tahoma
Best ATS CV Format
When writing a resume that complies with ATS rules, you should save the resume in a compatible format. ATS programs read only two resume formats: PDF and Word. However, the safest option that all ATS systems and programs can read is Word or .doc. You can achieve this using Microsoft Word or online through Google Docs.
The Layout of the ATS CV is Important!
When creating an ATS-compatible resume, consider the layout. The best way to arrange it is to use a chronological sequence from the most recent to the oldest. When listing work experiences, start with your current job and then list the older ones in order.
Important Note: Don’t forget to list work experiences related to the job description and the position you are applying for.
Simplicity is the key to resume content. When applying for any position, ensure your resume includes a header with the job title, an introduction, career objectives, skills, work experience, educational qualifications, and contact information. It’s preferable to use one of the following formats:
Keyword Strategy for ATS CV
The success of any resume in passing ATS systems lies in selecting the right keywords for the job because the machine only reads these keywords. But how do you find them?
There are several ways to determine the most suitable keywords, either manually or with software.
- Manually: You need to search for job listings in your field and identify the most common job titles and required skills. For example, if you’re a Math teacher, search for terms like Teacher, Instructor, or Educator, and look for the closest job description, such as Maths or Mathematics. You’ll find that “Math Teacher” is the most common title. However, this method is time-consuming and requires extensive research.
- Automatically: All you need to do is input the job description into an ATS CV Checker, which are digital products that analyze the description and extract the most searched-for keywords. These tools are more reliable and will help you pass any ATS because they precisely identify the required keywords. One example of an ATS CV Checker is Jobson.**
50 popular keywords for ATS CV
Here are 50 popular keywords for writing an ATS CV in the education field:
- Administration
- Addressed
- Advised
- Assisted
- Awarded
- Classroom
- Co-directed
- Coach
- Cognitive Skills
- Collaboration
- Community Building
- Computer-based Training
- Counsel
- Course
- Coursework
- Curriculum
- Discipline
- Education
- Enrollment
- Field Instruction
- Fundraising
- Goals
- Holistic Learning
- Individualized Education
- Instruction
- Integration
- Interactive
- Interpersonal
- Job Placement
- Listening
- Literacy
- Mentor
- Multi-class
- Networking
- Parent Communications
- Parent-teacher Meeting
- Peer Counseling
- Program Development
- Public Relations
- Recruitment
- Relationship Building
- Scholastic
- Setting Boundaries
- Student
- Teaching
- Technology
- Training
- Tutoring
- Verbal Communication
- Writing Lesson Plans
- Writing Reports
- Written Communication
It’s not just about the keywords related to the field; it also extends to the different sections of your resume. So, you should not deviate from “Work Experience” or “Skills.”
Final Review of ATS Resume
The final check of the ATS CV is the most crucial step in everything mentioned above, as it is the decisive step that ensures whether ATS programs can read your resume or not. Here are some of the most popular resume scanning programs:
