How to Optimise Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

How to Optimise Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are sophisticated software that scan, parse, and rank resumes before they ever reach human recruiters. Understanding how these systems work is key to getting your resume noticed.

What is an ATS?

An ATS is software used by employers to manage job applications and screen resumes. These systems: - Scan resumes for keywords and skills - Parse information into structured data - Rank candidates based on job match - Filter out unqualified applicants

Step 1: Choose the Right Format

ATS-Compatible File Formats - **Best:** .docx (Microsoft Word) - **Good:** .txt (Plain text) - **Acceptable:** .PDF (with proper formatting) - **Avoid:** .pages, .doc, image files

Formatting Rules - Use standard fonts: Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman - Font size: 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headings - Single-column layout - No tables, columns, or text boxes - Margins: 0.5-1 inch on all sides

Step 2: Structure Your Resume Correctly

Standard Section Order 1. **Contact Information** (Top of page) 2. **Professional Summary** (2-3 lines) 3. **Work Experience** (Reverse chronological) 4. **Skills** (Technical and soft skills) 5. **Education** (Degrees, certifications) 6. **Optional:** Certifications, Projects

Contact Information Format

John Doe (555) 123-4567 | john.doe@email.com | LinkedIn.com/in/johndoe

Step 3: Optimise Keywords

Finding the Right Keywords 1. Copy the job description 2. Highlight required skills and qualifications 3. Include industry-specific terminology 4. Use action verbs relevant to your field

Keyword Density Best Practices - **Optimal:** 2.5-3.5% keyword density - **Too Low:** <1% (ATS won't recognise relevance) - **Too High:** >5% (May be flagged as keyword stuffing)

Example Keywords by Industry **Tech Industry:** Agile, Scrum, JavaScript, React, Node.js, AWS, DevOps **Healthcare:** HIPAA, Electronic Health Records, Patient Care, Medical Terminology **Finance:** Financial Modeling, Risk Assessment, Compliance, Bloomberg, Excel

Step 4: Write Achievement-Focused Content

Use the CAR/STAR Method - **C**ontext: Situation and environment - **A**ction: What you specifically did - **R**esult: Measurable outcome

**Before:** "Managed a sales team" **After:** "Led team of 8 sales representatives, implementing a new CRM system that increased team productivity by 35% and exceeded quarterly targets by 20%"

Step 5: Technical Optimisation

ATS Parsing Tips - Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills) - Avoid special characters and symbols - Use bullet points (• or -) for lists - Include months and years for employment dates - Spell out acronyms the first time used

Common ATS Parsing Errors - ✗ "Jan 2020 - Present" - ✓ "January 2020 - Present"

Step 6: Final Optimisation Checklist

Before Submitting - [ ] File format is .docx or .txt - [ ] Font is ATS-compatible - [ ] Layout is single column - [ ] Keyword density is 2.5-3.5% - [ ] Achievements are quantified - [ ] Contact info is complete - [ ] No graphics or images - [ ] Sections are properly labelled

Test Your Resume Use our [Free ATS Resume Analyzer](/analyzer) to: - Check ATS compatibility score - Identify keyword gaps - Get optimisation recommendations - Ensure proper formatting

Professional ATS Optimisation

While manual optimisation helps, our AI resume builder provides: - Instant ATS compatibility analysis - Automatic keyword optimisation - Professional formatting - Industry-specific optimisation - Guaranteed top 15% ATS benchmark

**Get your resume ATS-optimised in under 15 minutes**

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