As a UGA student, you consistently encounter acronyms as you move through your day: MLC, SLC, SSO, SEC… you get the idea. If you have entertained the idea of beginning an internship or job search, you have likely heard the acronym ATS, which stands for Applicant Tracking System. These systems give employers the technology to automate and simplify their hiring processes. ATSs scan and parse applicants’ resumes in search of key skills and qualifications aligned with each individual role, which are pulled from the job description.
Recently, the UGA Career Center launched a tool called Quinncia that can help you optimize your resume for ATSs. Quinncia replicates ATSs to give you an inside look into how your resume may be viewed by hiring managers. After analyzing your resume, Quinncia will provide you with a score, a list of “red flags” that you must fix, some suggested improvements, and access to tools that will help you take your resume from “good” to “great.”
Here are four quick tips for creating an ATS friendly resume.
- Read each job description carefully. ATSs aim to help a hiring manager find the right candidate for each individual role. Take the time to read and understand the skills and qualifications required for the position and identify key words from the job description. You can use your favorite AI tool for help with this to save you some time. For instance, you can copy and paste a job description, then ask the AI tool “what are the top 10 qualifications for this role?”
- Tailor your resume. Now that you know what the job requires, take a look at your resume. Is the hiring team looking for a candidate who has expertise in Microsoft Excel? Make sure that the words “Microsoft Excel” are on your resume, and that you have at least one bullet point explaining how you have used it, along with the resulting accomplishments. Incorporate the key words from the job description throughout your resume.
- Speak the employer’s language. In addition to including key words from the job description, use similar verbiage to what you noted in the job description. Does the company refer to their customers as clients? You should, too! In this case, something as simple as changing the word “customer” to “client” throughout your resume can make an impact.
- Use ATS friendly formatting. While all ATSs differ in terms of their capabilities, it’s a safe bet to use simple formatting that allows for easy scanning and parsing. Avoid using columns, tables, charts, graphs, or pictures on your resume. You can add some style with font colors, page borders, lines, and shading, which the ATS will ignore, but the human reader may appreciate.
Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes to “beat” an ATS 100% of the time, although using a tool like Quinncia can help you to boost your odds. Hiring managers can input specific criteria for a role that may not be explicitly listed in the job description, so even an ideal candidate’s resume may not be selected to move on. Also, remember that you ultimately want a person to read your resume, and they will not be impressed by a resume filled with key words without context. Finally, no one ever gets a job offer by writing a perfect resume. An interview ultimately leads to a job offer, so be prepared to discuss every single item on your resume in an interview to bring your skills and qualifications to life.
To find out how your resume measures up to both ATSs and hiring mangers, be sure to take advantage of the resources the UGA Career Center offers. Check out our online resume resources, give Quinncia a try, and visit our Drop-In Hours to have your resume reviewed by a member of our team.