Tailor your resume to beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are widely used to streamline the recruitment process. These automated systems filter resumes based on specific criteria like keywords, skills, and experience before a human recruiter ever gets involved. While ATS systems improve efficiency for employers, they can also be a barrier for job seekers. Understanding how they work and tailoring your resume accordingly can dramatically increase your chances of landing an interview.

How to Identify the ATS System a Company Uses

Knowing which ATS a company uses can give you an edge in tailoring your resume for success. While companies rarely advertise the ATS they use, there are a few strategies to help you identify it:

1. Application URL: When you apply for a job, check the URL of the application page. Often, the domain will reveal the ATS being used, such as “workday.com” or “lever.co.”

2. Job Application Process: The structure of the application process can give clues. For example, if the system asks for you to upload your resume, then manually enter your work history, it's likely using an older ATS like Taleo.

3. Glassdoor/Indeed: Check company reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed. Previous candidates sometimes mention which ATS was used during their application process.

Commonly used ATS systems

1. Workday

Workday is a widely used ATS, known for its ability to scan for specific keywords and match resumes to the job description. It seems to favor resumes that mirror the job listing closely in both skills and terminology. Workday seems to reward candidates who use the same phrasing as the job description. If the role asks for "data analytics," and your resume says "analyzed data," Workday may not recognize it as a match.

Tips:

Keyword mirroring: Ensure your resume includes the exact wording from the job posting. Don't just focus on your skills—match your job titles, responsibilities, and soft skills with the language in the listing.

Simple format: Stick to clear, standard headers like "Work Experience" and "Skills." Workday may misread creative formatting, so avoid charts, tables, or icons that could confuse the system.

Try uploading your resume and see how well it auto populates the fields. This typically gives an indication of how well the system is able to pick up your resume.

2. Taleo

Taleo is one of the oldest and most widely used ATS platforms. While it has evolved over time, Taleo’s core strength lies in keyword matching and filtering based on pre-set requirements. However, it's known to be more rigid than newer systems. Taleo is heavily dependent on keyword matching and is less likely to "infer" a match if your language doesn’t align with the job posting.

Tips:

• Use exact job description terminology: Taleo’s algorithm may not work in your favor if you’re too creative with how you present your skills. If the job posting says “budget management,” use that exact term rather than a variation like “fiscal oversight.”

• Tailored applications: Taleo may often weed out resumes that appear too generic. Customize your resume for each application, even if it means making small tweaks to better align with the job description.

3. Lever

Lever is designed to be highly customizable for recruiters, with an emphasis on prioritizing candidates who meet specific criteria related to the job description. It can also rank candidates based on specific metrics, such as education or certifications. Lever can be extremely strict when filtering for mandatory criteria like degrees, certifications, or minimum years of experience.

Tips:

• Showcase required qualifications upfront: Make sure your education, certifications, and any job-specific requirements are prominent. For example, if the role requires a specific certification, list it at the top of your resume or in a dedicated "Certifications" section.

• Mirror job description language: Lever is highly customizable, which means recruiters might set it to prioritize candidates who use exact phrases from the job posting. Use these phrases throughout your resume for a better match.

Exploiting the Biases of ATS Systems

Each ATS has its own strengths, but it also has its weaknesses and biases. Companies often set them up differently but here are some general tips you can take advantage of:

1. Keyword Optimization: Nearly all ATS systems rely heavily on keyword matching. Mirror the job description’s language. Don’t just focus on hard skills—incorporate soft skills and job titles mentioned in the posting.

2. Format Carefully: Avoid complex formats like graphics, tables, or unusual fonts. ATS systems favor simple, traditional resume formats with clear section headings.

3. Tailor Your Resume: ATS systems often penalize generic resumes that aren't tailored to a specific job. Customize your resume for each application, paying attention to the exact phrasing used in the job listing.

4. Career Stability: Some systems favor stability, so if you’ve had several short-term roles, find ways to demonstrate long-term growth within those roles.

5. Storytelling vs. Bullet Points: Some systems value a narrative over a list of duties. Balance your bullet points with contextual descriptions of your achievements.

Final Thoughts

ATS systems are designed to filter out unqualified candidates, but they can also filter out strong candidates if their resumes aren't optimized. These systems are constantly evolving and often the setup is different between companies. By understanding the general biases of different ATS platforms and tailoring your resume accordingly, you can boost your chances of making it through the automated filters and onto the desks of real recruiters. Remember, it’s not just about writing for humans—it’s about writing for the bots that stand between you and your next opportunity.