Catena is now Pearl Talent! Same mission, new name.
ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) are software programs that employers use to find the right-fit candidates for their open positions. While these systems help weed out unqualified candidates, sometimes they knock out qualified ones that don’t have a correctly formatted resume. Meaning, your resume could be displaying excellent qualifications, but still fall through the cracks.
Now that close to 71% of hiring managers use ATS, it’s clear there is a new game to play. Unfortunately, the new game does not follow the old rules. Using outdated resume strategies will leave you burnt out, frustrated, and wondering if you’ll ever land the role you want and need.
We know you’ve been applying to new jobs for weeks and feel qualified for every position you put your name in for. Your resume is polished, and you’ve taken the time to carefully select colors, fonts, and design. If you printed it out and handed it to someone, it would look impeccable. Except that’s not what you’re doing. You’re applying for jobs online, and before you get human eyes on your resume, ATS sorts yours out.
At Pearl Talent, we hear this story over and over again. That's why we built a free resume builder specifically designed to get past ATS and help you land the role you’ve been working toward.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Think of ATS as a digital filing cabinet. It helps hiring teams analyze information and sort through resumes automatically. While companies used to sort resumes manually, now they can narrow down a list of candidates through keyword filtering and knockout questions (i.e., do you have 5 years of experience?). This solution works wonders for companies looking to fill their next role, because a typical corporate job opening receives over 250 applications. With global hiring and remote work on the rise, this number is destined to grow larger.
While this may be a frustrating turn of events for you as a job seeker, a few small adjustments to your resume could be all you need to get past ATS. Let’s review a few tips to help you follow the new rules.
In this unpredictable job market, you may find yourself mass-applying to jobs as quickly as you can. The process is easy enough: click, attach a resume, and apply. While the math makes sense on paper (the more jobs you apply to, the more likely you are to get hired), in execution, it’s not really true.
You’re much more likely to get hired when you apply to jobs you actually qualify for. During that process, you may end up applying to fewer jobs.
Think of the job market as one large pond full of fish. The fish are the companies looking for qualified candidates, and you’re up above the surface, hoping at least one company will take the bait. Now, certain fish take certain bait. Meaning, not all companies are looking for the same thing. They all have a person in mind with specific qualifications and experience.
In this way, forcing yourself to have qualifications you don’t really have or over exaggerating your experience won’t get you very far in the process. Soon enough, they will discover you aren’t qualified (or the ATS will do it for them).
Take the time to find jobs you are fully qualified for. If you find yourself bending the truth to meet the qualifications, you shouldn’t be applying in the first place. The right “bait” will be perfectly aligned with the “fish” desiring it. Meaning, the right-fit positions will have you saying, “I’m perfect for that job,” and the hiring company saying, “They are a perfect fit for us.”
You won’t earn brownie points for being overly complicated and fanciful with your language. Get to the point and say what you mean. Use a simple structure, easy-to-read bullet points, and a no-fluff headline.
There are many resume formats available to you online, but that doesn’t mean just any of them will do. ATSs scanning for information sometimes make mistakes, especially when the structure and format are overly complicated.
Resume templates that have multiple columns, images, and intricate designs usually don’t mix well with them. So, if your resume has a beautiful design, photos, and multiple columns, it’s time to simplify it.
Many applicant tracking systems connect with online profiles like LinkedIn. Because of this, it’s important to keep your online profiles updated and aligned with your resume.
Every job posting is different, meaning your resume should reflect the specific position you’re applying for. Yes, this is a large amount of work, but if done correctly, it can make all the difference.
Read through the job description thoughtfully and adjust your experience to fit inside their lens. If you have to stretch too far, the role is probably not the right fit for you.
Extra note: Do not reinvent the wheel here. Use the foundational pieces of your resume to lean into the job description. The whole point of doing this is to show the company that your experience fits inside their requirements.
ATSs scan for specific keywords that companies ask for. If your resume doesn’t include the keywords they put into their requirements, your resume won’t get through ATS.
To get around this, read through the job description and pull keywords directly from it. Skills, tools, certifications, and responsibilities all come into play. Weave them naturally into your resume and avoid stuffing keywords where they don’t belong.
If your skills, responsibilities, or certifications include an acronym, make sure to include the acronym and the full spelling (i.e., Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM)). This ensures the system picks up both versions, just in case they only have one version as a relevant keyword.
Follow the specific application instructions for uploading. Some will be fine with PDFs, while others will prefer a .docx file. Avoid uncommon file formats like .pages or .odt. When in doubt, check the application instructions again for guidance.
Creative job titles may stand out in other places, but they will confuse ATS. Use recognizable job titles that match what the company is looking for. Go to the job description to find exactly what they need. For experience, use the standard industry titles that clearly communicate what you did.
At Pearl Talent, we offer a free resume builder to candidates who are currently looking for their perfect role. While overcoming ATS can be a challenge, we’re here to help.
Our free resume builder includes:
Stop reinventing the wheel and use our free resume builder. Let us help you finally get past ATS and land your dream role.
Extra note: Then, if you’re ready to take things a step further, Pearl AI School can help you build practical skills employers are looking for. Learn about more AI tools than just ATS and prepare yourself to stand out from other candidates.
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