Ever wonder what really happens to your resume when you submit it online? 

Before getting read by a recruiter, it takes a preliminary detour through an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). 

ATS software is the silent partner in modern hiring, employed by a whopping 90% of all employers (and 99% among the Fortune 500). Its job? To streamline the hiring process, it swiftly sifts through resumes and keeps tabs on each candidate's journey through the recruitment pipeline.

Demystifying ATS Software 

Understanding how ATS software works is crucial for ensuring your resume doesn't get lost in the digital shuffle.

When you hit that 'Submit' button, the ATS takes your carefully formatted resume and turns it into a plain text document. All the bells and whistles of your design? Gone. What remains are letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation.

The ATS then goes into action, scanning and ranking your resume based on how well it aligns with the criteria set by the employer. Keywords, phrases, and relevant experience take center stage. The goal? To rank candidates and help recruiters focus on those who are likely to be the right fit.

Is ATS Software Where Resumes Go to Die?

Not really. ATS systems do not auto-reject resumes, so you’re not being eliminated by a faceless computer. In fact, recruiters will tell you that most resumes are reviewed by a human being. If you’re submitting a ton of them and not getting interviews, it’s probably because your resume doesn’t contain what the employer has asked the software to look for. You may have the right experience, but if your resume is missing the specific words and phrases the ATS is tuned to, you risk sinking to the bottom of the pile. 

How to Boost Your ATS Ranking

If the sound of crickets is typically the response to your job applications, it's time to fine-tune your resume strategy. Here's how:

Find the right keywords: Your resume should echo the language the employer is speaking. By mirroring the keywords, verb phrases, and skills from the job posting, you’re more likely to break through the clutter.

Use keywords appropriately: Your resume will be scored based on how often those words appear in your resume and the extent to which they are used in context. Sprinkle them throughout your resume, cover letter, and online application, but don’t overdo it—keyword “stuffing” can, and usually does, backfire.

Tailor the Top Part of Your Resume: While it’s important to tailor your resume to match the employer’s requirements, you don't need to completely rewrite your resume for every submission. A little bit of tweaking can go a long way. Focus on the top section—your headline, branding statement, summary, and key skills and/or competencies, but don’t overlook obvious opportunities to incorporate keywords throughout.

How Closely You Need to Match

To get a high ranking, your resume doesn’t need to match every single qualification in the job posting, many of which include a ridiculously long list of requirements or desired skills. Don’t let Nobody matches all of those requirements! As long as you meet at least 2/3 of them, your resume stands a good chance of being reviewed by a recruiter.

Don’t Overlook Formatting 

ATS success isn't just about content. Even if you’re perfectly qualified for the job, your resume will be ranked lower if the ATS can’t accurately parse it. To make sure formatting mistakes don’t impact your ranking, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Your Name: The first line should contain only your name--nothing else! 

• Contact info: Place it just below your name, NOT in the header or footer—most ATS software can’t read content there. Your geographic location is optional but recommended. It can be your full address, just the city/state, or general metro area. 

• Section headings: Keep them simple, clear, and conventional. The ATS will identify content by its section heading (and may ignore information it can’t figure out). 

• Work Experience: Always list your experience in reverse chronological order. You can position dates next to the job title or at right margin.

• Graphics: They’re ok to use, but the ATS will ignore them, so make sure any content contained in them also appears in the body of your resume. If your resume is highly designed, consider creating a separate “plain-Jane” version for uploading and use the other for emailing and in-person meetings.

• Formatting enhancements: Avoid columns, photos, text boxes, and other formatting enhancements. They’re great for sending to a human, but can confuse an ATS. Instead, use tables or tab settings to position content. For bullet points, use simple characters like round bullets and dashes.

• Text enhancements: It’s okay to use bolding, italics, and colors. They won’t appear in the parsed version of your resume and won’t impact your ranking. As with graphics and formatting enhancements, consider creating a separate “plain-Jane” version.

• File type: The .docx format is your best bet. Reserve pdf formats for emails—they may not be readable by an ATS. 

• Headers and footers: Not every ATS can read information in a header or footer, so only use them for non-critical content. Make sure all relevant text is in the body of your document.

Remember, while content is crucial, adhering to these formatting guidelines ensures your resume is not only content-rich but also accurately parsed by the ATS.

What About Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Synonyms?

ATS software looks for exact matches, especially with acronyms. Spell them out the first time you use them, followed by the acronym or abbreviation in parenthesis, e.g., Applicant Tracking System (ATS). As for synonyms, ATS systems lean towards exact keywords. Use both words separately to cover your bases.

So, before your next 'Submit,' apply these tips to make sure you’re giving yourself the best chance of rising to the top of the pile. By ensuring your resume speaks the language of the ATS, you’ll improve the odds of breaking through the clutter and get invited for more job interviews!

Ready to take control of your career journey? Schedule a free 30-minute exploratory call with me to discuss personalized strategies for tackling your job search. From planning a career pivot, to optimizing your resume, to perfecting your interviewing skills and more, let's work together to build a path that leads to greater career success!