Save Money–Optimize Your Resume to Make it ATS-Compliant
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
You don’t have to waste money to make your resume ATS-friendly or ATS-compliant. Here’s how to do it.
00:00 Intro
00:27 What is an ATS-compliant resume?
01:06 How to write an ATS-compliant resume
03:46 Outro
The Easiest Stupid Résumé Mistake to Fix
If you’re going to submit a resume through an applicant tracking system, crafting an ATS friendly resume is crucial to getting interviews. I’m going to walk you through how to optimize your resume so it gets past the tracking systems into the hands of a real person and save you money. I’m Jeff Altman , The Big Game Hunter. People hire me for no BS job search advice and career coaching globally, because I make the process so much easier for people.
Now, first of all, what’s an ATS-compliant resume or ATS-friendly resume? It’s a document created in a way that lets the applicant tracking system parse your resume with ease. The formatting is simple; it’s easy to read; it’s easy to scan. It also contains keywords that match the job ad and highlight relevant work experience and professional skills. So what does it look like? What’s included?
First, include keywords from the job description throughout your resume, but don’t just stuff keywords. Use them naturally. Make sure some of them are included in the first page portion of your resume so that the system sees it early and often. Secondly, optimize your resume section headings with terms like work experience instead of employment history. Three don’t use templates. You can copy a template but don’t use a template because the systems have trouble parsing them.
Keep your resume clean and simple. Save your resume is a dot doc or dot docx file. It’s okay to use standard bullet points to organize your information. However, non-traditional bullet points like stars or diamonds, or checkboxes– systems sometimes have trouble with that. Avoid photos, graphics, images, charts and other visuals. Because the systems generally can’t read them.
Use standard date formats like month and year such as January 2024, instead of Jan 2024. Don’t cram everything together. Make sure to use white spaces between sections or paragraphs of your resume. Keep it to one to two pages maximum. Use fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia and Times New Roman in sizes that are from 10 to 12 points.
Make sure tables or text columns translate properly in plain text format. After all, I’ve seen when I’ve tried to include them in my blog that . . . .that they skewer; they’re messy, and if you can’t include a clear table or text column, then don’t include it. At the top of your resume include your contact information–full name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL, city, state, and zip code. Don’t use a headshot on your resume unless it’s specifically requested.
Always think of the recruiter in the back of your mind when optimizing your resume for the ATS and have the ATS in the back of your mind when writing your resume for a recruiter.
Hope you found this helpful. I’m Jeff Altman. Visit my website TheBigGameHunter.us Go to the blog and go exploring. There’s a lot there that’ll help you. Plus you can schedule time for a free discovery call, schedule time for coaching. Find out about buying my video courses, books and guides. There is a lot there that will help you
Also, connect with me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter Have a terrific day. Be great!
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search,
hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2700 episodes.
You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, JobSearch.Community Use coupon code ALPHA LAUNCH for a free Insider membership good until Jan 1, 2024. It is in alpha currently. Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily.
Standing Out on an Interview
Also, subscribe to JobSearchTV.com on YouTube and No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast for job search with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts.
You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on LinkedIn and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live.
What Recruiters Look for In A Resume/CV
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me
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