Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are a new trend in human resources software. These programs scan all incoming resumes for specific keywords, and then provide a score for each resume based on the number of “hits” it finds. Candidates with low scores are kicked out of the system, while those with high scores are sent on to the hiring team for personal review.
These programs are designed to make life easier for taxed HR departments, but qualified candidates whose resumes simply don’t include enough keywords will be eliminated before an actual human being has the chance to see it.
There are some steps that job seekers can take to help ensure that their resume will pass the ATS test, including:
- Do not lie – It’s ok if your background doesn’t match 100 percent with the job posting. Hiring managers know that not everyone will have all desired skills and qualifications. Do not ever lie, however. You will get caught and it will destroy your chances of landing the job.
- Keep a keyword list – You’ll notice throughout your search that there are many keywords that pop up time and time again. Make a list of those keywords, especially keywords that are industry-specific. Be sure that those keywords are included on your resume.
- Make a meaty first page – Many hiring managers, in an effort to save time, set the parameters of their ATS to scan only the first page of a resume. Be sure your keywords show up on the first page.
- Use the company name in your objective – Some ATS systems award extra points for resumes that include the name of the organization to which the candidate is applying. Be sure to customize your objective to help improve your score.
- Create a short form and long-form resume – It can be helpful to create a resume that is designed solely for ATS systems, and then keep your long-form resume for the time when you’re contacted by the hiring team. The objective of hacking ATS systems is to get that first point of contact. From there you can use your longer resume to help make your case for an in-person interview.
Another way to hack ATS systems is to partner with a recruiter. Professional recruiters have relationships with hiring managers, and they will know whether or not the company uses ATS systems. If the company does, they can help you tailor your short-form resume to help get you past the screening process successfully.
If you are an engineer looking for new opportunities, Dunhill Staffing, can help. We work with top-tier engineering talent, helping them locate the right opportunities to advance their careers. We work with organizations and engineers all across the country, matching the ideal candidates with their ideal position. Contact us today to learn more about how Dunhill Staffing can help jump start your job search.