Optimize Your Resume For Applicant Tracking Systems

Denis Curtin

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Key ATS TopicsApplicant Tracking Systems OverviewHeaders and FootersFonts, Type Sizes and .pdfContact Information, Horizontal RulesLeft JustificationBlack Ink on White Paper

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Key ATS TopicsGraphics, Logos, ImagesTables, Underlines, Borders, DatesChoosing KeywordsWord CloudsJobScan.coGoals for Resume Submission

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Applicant Tracking System (ATS)The core component of a recruiting software suite

ATS simplifies the recruitment lifecycle by automating the hiring process

ATS includes receiving and reviewing resumes

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Applicant Tracking Systems

6Source: ongig.com

TALEO

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Why ATS Resume Optimization? Many qualified applicants are being rejected

by ATS, not because of a lack of qualifications but because of

unknowingly formatting their content

so the ATS cannot recognize it.

Source: Jobscan.co Blog

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Why ATS Resume Optimization?Some sources quote that as many as 75%

of applicants are eliminated by the ATS,

as soon as they submit their resume,

Despite Being Qualified for the Job!

Source: Marc Miller, CareerPivot.com

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Avoiding the Black Hole !

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

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ATS Do’s and Don’ts

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Resume HeadersATS Cannot Read Information in a Header

Don’t

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Resume FootersATS Cannot Read Information in a Footer

Don’t

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Resume Type Fonts

ATS Has Difficulty Reading Serif FontsTimes New Roman

Use Sans Serif FontsArial

Don’t

Do

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Resume Font Size

ATS Has Difficulty Reading a Font Size That is Smaller Than 11 pt. Type

Do Not Use 10 pt. Type or Smaller

Best Choice: Arial 11 pt. or 12 pt. Type

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Submitting PDF Resumes

Unless the Job Posting Specifically States: Submit a .pdf Resume – Don’t

Most ATS Cannot Read .pdf Resumes

Denis Curtin Resume.pdfDon’t

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Preferred Resume FormatUse Microsoft Word .doc Format

Many ATS Cannot Read .docx Resumes

Denis Curtin Resume.doc

Denis Curtin Resume.docx

Do

Don’t

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Assist ATS ParsingDENIS J. CURTIN

Palatine, Illinois 60074 847.359.0435 Denmarc@comcast.net www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin

DENIS J. CURTIN Palatine, Illinois 60074

847-359-0435Denmarc@comcast.net

www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin/

Don’t

Do

• Use Single Column Format

• Do Not Label the Entries

Don’t Use Periods

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Horizontal Rules (Lines)DENIS J. CURTIN

Palatine, Illinois 60074847-359-0435

Denmarc@comcast.netwww.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin

Don’t

Horizontal Rules Confuse the ATS

As Do BordersDon’t

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Use Left JustificationWORK EXPERIENCE

LinkedIn® Trainer | LinkedIn® Coach | LinkedIn® Speaker 2011 – Present  Training, coaching and speaking on how to effectively use your LinkedIn profile in your job search.

One-on-one advice for Executive Level candidates seeking LinkedIn profile optimization to enhance their job search. LinkedIn Presenter at numerous Job Support Groups and libraries in the Chicago Area. Webmaster for Chicago career transition website: www.JobSearchChicago.com.

LinkedIn® Trainer | LinkedIn® Coach | LinkedIn® Speaker 2011 – Present  Training, coaching and speaking on how to effectively use your LinkedIn profile in your job

search. One-on-one advice for Executive Level candidates seeking LinkedIn profile optimization to enhance their job search. LinkedIn Presenter at numerous Job Support Groups and libraries in the Chicago Area. Webmaster for Chicago career transition website: www.JobSearchChicago.com.

 Don’t

Do

Don’t Have an Even Right Margin

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Use Black Ink on White Paper

Don’t

Do

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Don’t UseGraphics, Logos, or Images

Don’t

Don’t

Don’t

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ATS Cannot Read Tables Well

Don’t

Or Multiple Columns

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ATS Cannot Read Underlines

Don’t

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ATS Cannot Read Italics

Don’t

  EDUCATION M.S. Organic Chemistry, Purdue University, W. Lafayette,

IndianaB.S. Chemistry, cum laude, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa

  

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ATS Ignores Skills Section (1)

Don’t

List Skills Within Each Job

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ATS Ignores Skills Section (2)

List Skills Within Each Job

Don’t

© Jobsearch.about.com

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ATS Ignores Skills Section (3)

List Skills Within Each Job

Don’t

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Work Experience

Call Your Work Experience Just That:

WORK EXPERIENCE

ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTSSKILLS & EXPERTISE

Do

Don’t

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Education

Call Your Education Just That:

EDUCATION

ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTSPROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Do

Don’t

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Never Start With Dates2000 – 2008 INSIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC., Hanover Park, IllinoisInsight is the Fortune 500 value-added global reseller of computer products

and services that purchased Comark.  (2003 – 2008) Director – Integration Services

INSIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC., Hanover Park, Illinois 2000 – 2008 Insight is the Fortune 500 value-added global reseller of computer products

and services that purchased Comark. Director – Integration Services (2003 – 2008) 

Don’t

Do

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Your Resume in the ATS

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Choosing KeywordsUse the Information Found in the

Job Description

Keywords

Required Skills

Key Phrases

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Word CloudsUse Word Clouds to Search for Keywords

www.Wordle.net

www.ToCloud.com

Others

Compare the Word Cloud of Your Resume with the Word Cloud of the Job Description

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Word Cloud Example

www.Wordle.net

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Word Cloud Example

www.Wordle.net

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Word Cloud Example

www.ToCloud.com

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www.JobScan.coJames Hu

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Jobscan.co Match Rate

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Jobscan.co Skills Match

Blue Line - Resume Black Line - Job Description

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Jobscan.co Skills Match

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Jobscan.co Match Rate

Resume

Job Description

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Jobscan.co Skills Match

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Jobscan.co Costs

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Goals For Resume Submission

Follow All The ATS Rules

Resume Should Match the Job Description:SkillsKeywordsKey Phrases

Error-Free Resume

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Denis CurtinWEBMASTER

www.JobSearchChicago.com

Denmarc@comcast.net© Copyright 2015 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved