Many large companies now use applicant-tracking systems (ATSs). As the name suggests, such systems help recruiters track and manage applicants. They also screen for the best candidates — and filter out the rest. How can you make sure your CV gets past the bots and reaches a human recruiter? Here’s what the experts say.
Use the right format
“Most applications are removed from the equation because they are not formatted in a way these systems can read and interpret,” Amanda Augustine, a career expert at TopResume, explains to CNBC Make It. Check which format is specified in the job ad before you upload your application. It’s usually Microsoft Word format.
Keep it simple
Avoid columns and tables, as many systems have problems recognizing where these start and end. According to Alldus, a specialist recruitment company, you should keep the structure and format simple. “Don’t get fancy,” advises Alldus on its blog. “Use standard fonts (Arial or Calibri), excessive formatting or decorative elements might present an unreadable mess to the ATS.”
Stick to traditions
Use traditional categories, such as “Achievements”, “Education”, “Professional qualifications”, “Skills” and “Work experience”. These systems are programmed to sort the information into such categories. “There is no standard you have to follow,” says Nick Francioso of SkillSyncer, a CV-optimization tool. “But you should stick to the most popular or most frequently used ones to be safe,” he tells CNBC Make It.
Understand the algorithms
“ATS algorithms aren’t that different from the human algorithms,” Jon Shields, marketing manager at Jobscan, tells The Muse. “We’re all kind of skimming for the same things,” he says. The system first skims your application for specific key words, then it ranks candidates who match well the job description. This doesn’t mean you should copy and paste directly from the job description into your CV. You should, however, reuse any expressions that are recognized industry terms. This is especially important when listing your job titles, qualifications or achievements. If you’re not sure which ones to include, use an online tool, for instance Jobscan or SkillSyncer, to help you find the right key words. Basically, even if you are highly qualified, unless you include the right search terms in your CV, a human recruiter will never meet you.