The process of evaluating resumes continues to evolve. If you’re a job seeker, you need to continue to adapt to these changes to increase your chances of being hired.
Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant tracking systems aren’t a problem if you know how to speak their language. The prevalence of these systems has drastically grown as a consequence of The Great Recession. These systems aid overwhelmed hiring managers.
How They Work
Did you know that these systems reject 75 percent of candidates? No matter how highly qualified you are, systems can still reject your resume due to a failure to include relevant keywords.
These systems may have flaws, but they likely won’t be abandoned because they make hiring easier on so many levels. You can take advantage of these systems’ flaws by learning how to move your resume past their algorithms.
How to Get Past the System
You can start by nixing the headers in your resume. According to some sources, headers and footers usually jam the algorithms.
At the same time, avoid mirror wording from the job description in your resume. Maintain keywords, but make your content original. Make sure you have a custom resume for every job you apply for.
Use the lingo that is normally used in the profession you are applying for. It will serve as your keywords to get the right combination of phrases in your resume.
Use acronyms and spelled out titles since you don’t know which keywords the systems are scanning for. You can use both just to keep your resume in the queue.
You can also repeat the important keywords two to three times, depending on the length of your resume. However, be careful not to stuff your application with keywords — doing so will likely be counteractive.
It’s best to use bullets rather than paragraphs when describing your work. This makes your resume easier for human eyes to read and the system to navigate.
These are just some of the tips you need to consider if you want to get past the applicant tracking system. With a bit of effort, you won’t have any problems creating a resume that will make its way into the hands of your potential employer.
