With many recruiters and HR managers utilising Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) you may find that your CV is electronically filtered, and frustratingly will never seen by the recruiting manager.
Used by many recruiting professionals, ATS software will create a shortlist from thousands of CVs, with some systems automatically ranking and assigning a score to applicants based on how well their CV matches the job and person specification.
Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned professional, you need to prepare your CV for the ATS and make sure your application does not slip between the cracks.
How to get your CV up the rankings
There are some practical ways to increase your chances and write your CV to work with the algorithms and convert your application in an interview opportunity.
Formatting
Often CVs are rejected by the ATS because of a confusing layout, so you need to consider:
- Removing graphics or symbols and stick to simple bullet points
- Stick to 2 professional simple fonts as a maximum and only use capitals for headers
- Use basic headings such a “work history” rather than “my background” or “profile” rather than “about me”
- Tabs are better than tables
- Avoid adding photos
- Double check your spelling
Job titles
Unfortunately, the ATS algorithms are not always advanced enough to make pragmatic judgements. If your company uses titles that are not widely recognised, it will be useful to change them to more familiar industry standard job roles. Always use the full title i.e. Research and Design Engineer as well R and D Engineer. It can also be useful to put the industries you have worked in ie: FMCG, Engineering, Financial Services, as this may also be used as a filter.
Keyword matching
Recruiters will use keywords to search for specific skills and qualification and the ATS will similarly try and use this system to shortlist CVs. For each application, start by looking at the job advertisement, find the keywords on the job description and person specification and align your CV to this. Don’t be tempted to over-fill your CV with key words as it may not flow well and will not make sense to the human eye, later on in the recruitment process.
Keep it concise
Highlight your skills and experience and keep it relevant to the job. For example, team management experience, budget control or project management. You will need to show proven experience and the positive outcomes, with quantifiable results such saving the company money or increasing revenue.
Try and avoid using clichés such as “strategic thinker” or “team player” as these are not the words that recruiters and the ATS will be using in their search criteria.
Qualifications
Your qualifications need to relate to a specific role you are applying for. Make sure you add any software packages or technical accreditation's. Any specific qualifications should be written in full and with the acronym. ie. Chartered Engineer as well as C.Eng.
Be truthful
Not only will you be potentially caught out, you will lose all professional creditability and harm all future applications. Make sure your CV also matches your LinkedIn profile.
In conclusion, as much as you may dislike applications tacking systems, it is hard to avoid them and they are very much part of the recruitment process for many companies. A good awareness of how the system works will lead to more successful applications and hopefully that perfect job.
For more information on job searching contact Harper Evans Recruitment.