How to Create an ATS-Friendly CV for Job Applications

Over the last few years, I have guided multiple Masters students in the US to navigate their job search journey. There are a lot of common patterns I have seen which need to change. The process of applying for a job and getting an offer requires a bit of a mindset shift. Through a series of posts, I will talk about my experience and what I feel is necessary to make your job search successful. This will be useful for people looking for internships as well as new grad/junior software roles. Stage 1.1 - Preparations <-> Resume This is arguably the most important item here. After applying for a position, the resume for most applications goes through an ATS system that assigns it a score. Once the score threshold is cleared, given the number of applications in the current job market, a recruiter will not spend more than 20 secs reviewing the same. You have exactly "20 seconds'' to impress the recruiter. So your resume needs to be extremely crisp in terms of the content. Tips to improve the contents of your resume. 1. One-Page resume Ensures that the most important things are captured in the first half of the resume 2. Mention the technologies used for each of the experiences. This helps particularly with the ATS system and also with associating the technologies used to solve a particular problem. 3. Sentence formation format <IMPACT> - <WORK DONE> Eg: "Increased revenue by 1%" by "building a system to create multi-parameter contextual ads delivery system." This showcases the outcome of your experience. 4. Experience trumps everything else Job experience is the most important part of your resume. This can be internship experience or any of the prior full time experience. Make sure to add good 4-5 points around what work you have done. Some points to improve the contents of the same would be to include the actual impact of your work, getting alignments and interacting with different teams/partners, improving/optimizing the code thereby reducing infra costs, adding alerting to detect failures early on etc. 5. KISS(Keep it simple, stupid) philosophy is widely used in the Software engineering field. Make sure that your resume does not have complex lines that makes it difficult for the reader to understand your experience. 6. Use PDF Word documents tend to have formatting issues when passed around depending on the editor the viewer opens it in. PDFs are best to avoid any such viewing issues. You can keep your resume in google docs and just export is as PDF everytime you need it. 7. Mentioning non-tech experience is generally not required. Projects have more value compared to these. So unless you need some fillers in your resume maybe don't mention non-tech experience. 8. Get your resume reviewed All the universities have a career center. There are advisors there that will help you with reviewing the same. In the next post we will dive into what the interview process looks like, and how to prepare for each of the steps.

Having gone through the recruitment process myself and having to polish my resume numerous times, I understand how frustrating it can be. We've all heard it: quantify your achievements, make sure your resume has keywords to pass the ATS machine, etc. As someone who's had his resume reviewed and who's reviewed numerous resumes myself, I would like to share some tips I find the most important. 1) For your work experience and projects, use the XYZ format. You want your bullet points to answer the following: I performed X by Y which yielded in Z. In other words, explain what you did during the role, how you did it (e.g. technology and frameworks), and what was the impact at the end? Did it decrease user traffic? Did it end up improving the efficiency of the site or algorithm? You want to answer this in your Z part. Moreover, quantify the impact. By how much percent was efficiency increased by, and how much time did it end up saving the company? 2) Don't clutter your resume with info. Think about it from a recruiter or hiring manager's perspective, when you look at a resume for 6 seconds, you're likely to skip over large blocks of text and only pay attention to keywords. Thus, for each role of project, try not to have more than 2 to 3 bullet points and no more than 2 to 3 lines for each bullet point. Moreover, if you can, try bolding keywords. Given your resume is only 1 page, be strategic about the info you put in the least number of words possible. You can elaborate more on it in the interview. 3) Yes, your Education section should be at the top if you're a student. If you're still in school, yes, you should have the education section at the top. That's because your graduation date and GPA are some of the first things recruiters and hiring managers look at when trying to determine your eligibility for a role. However, if you're later into your career, it would make sense to have the Education section towards the bottom. 4) Follow the standard format: Education, Skills, Work Experience, Projects, Mentorship, etc. 5) Make sure the hyperlinks to your LinkedIn and GitHub profiles work! Writing a stellar resume takes time, so take some time to really think about your previous roles and projects and the impact you left. Whether it's mentors, colleagues, or career coaches, make sure you have your resume looked at by a few eyes. You got this! ⭐

🌟🔍 As both a job seeker and a recruiter, I've experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in the job search process. Let me tell you, it can feel like a maze at times, but fear not! I'm here to shed some light on this often mysterious aspect of job hunting. 💼💡 When I was on the job hunt, I quickly realized the importance of understanding how ATS works. These systems are designed to help recruiters manage the overwhelming influx of applications they receive for each job posting. But as a job seeker, it's crucial to know how to optimize your application to ensure it gets noticed amidst the sea of resumes. As a recruiter, I've seen firsthand how ATS can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it streamlines the hiring process, allowing us to efficiently screen and review candidates. On the other hand, it can inadvertently filter out qualified candidates if their resumes aren't properly formatted or optimized for ATS algorithms. So, what can you do to ensure your resume makes it past the ATS gatekeepers? Here are a few tips: 📌 Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. This not only helps your resume get past ATS filters but also demonstrates your fit for the role. 📌 Optimize Formatting: Use a clean and simple resume format with standard fonts and headings. Avoid graphics, images, and fancy formatting that may confuse ATS algorithms. 📌 Use Standard File Formats: Save your resume as a PDF or Microsoft Word document to ensure compatibility with ATS systems. Avoid using uncommon file formats that may not be compatible with all systems. 📌 Proofread Carefully: Check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors before submitting it. ATS algorithms can flag typos and errors, potentially causing your application to be overlooked. 📌 Network: Whenever possible, leverage your network to bypass ATS altogether. Networking and referrals can often lead to opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. Navigating ATS can be daunting, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can optimize your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and landing your dream job. Remember, it's not just about meeting the qualifications; it's about understanding how to navigate the digital landscape of the job market effectively. Let's unlock your potential together! 💪✨ #JobSearch #ResumeTips #CareerAdvice

"Why does my Resume never get a callback?" This is what a client of mine asked on a call. He was depressed from the constant rejections. I saw his Resume, the problem was clear. 🚫 His Resume was too generic, did not stand out at all. "But Rohit, how do I make it stand out?" Well, let me tell you how. 1. Use a Unique Value Proposition (UVP): ↳ Start with a headline that encapsulates your professional identity and unique value. ↳ Make it memorable and specific to your strengths. ↳ This UVP sets the tone for your entire resume. 2. Quantify Your Achievements: ↳ Numbers speak louder than words. ↳ Use numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. ↳ Whether it's sales increased, costs reduced, or projects led, quantification makes your impact clear. 3. Leverage Keywords Strategically: ↳ Identify and use keywords from the job description. ↳ This ensures your resume aligns with what the employer is seeking and passes ATS scans. ↳ Keywords bridge the gap between your skills and job requirements. 4. Highlight Transferable Skills: ↳ Clearly identify skills that are valuable in many contexts, especially if changing industries. ↳ Show how these skills apply to the position you're applying for. ↳ Transferable skills demonstrate versatility and adaptability. 5. Use a Professional Design: ↳ Opt for a clean, professional layout that makes your resume easy to read. ↳ Avoid excessive ornamentation but consider subtle design elements that reflect your personal brand. ↳ A visually appealing resume can make a strong first impression. 6. Focus on Problem-Solving: ↳ Highlight specific problems you've solved in previous roles. ↳ Describe the challenge, your action, and the outcome. ↳ This approach shows your ability to think critically and achieve results. 7. Customize the Resume for Each Job: ↳ Tailor your resume for each application, emphasizing the experience and skills most relevant to each job. ↳ Customization shows you've taken the time to understand the role and company. ↳ This effort can set you apart in a crowded applicant pool. ✅ Do this and your Resume will stand out in this competitive job market. --------- Follow me for daily content to 10x your Job Search! #Resumewriting #resume #resumetips #resumewriter #resumewritingservices #jobsearch

There is no “beating” the ATS. As a Recruiter, I manually review all resumes, and look for candidates who may meet the job qualifications set by the hiring manager (decision maker). Avoid “consultants” who charge you to create a #resume and tell you they can help you beat the ATS. Do: ✅ review possible job paths and create multiple versions of your resume. There’s lots of free websites that allow you to build off of free templates. Avoid pictures and use that real estate on your skills. ✅ run your resume through a spellchecker. Grammarly is free and comes with free plugins and extensions. If you apply to a role that requires attention to detail, have attention to detail on your resume. ✅ ask lots of people to review your resume and provide feedback. Highlight trends and action on top feedback. Take risks on unique feedback that can help you standout. Don’t: ❌ put a paragraph of buzzwords on the top of your resume hoping an AI will pick you. There’s no AI - it’s me! It’s hard to read and only reads as you don’t have experience to write about (which we know isn’t true!) ❌ upload your resume in an obscure format. If you do, it may not come through. Most careers pages will recommend .doc, .docx, .pdf. Avoid picture/symbol/creative heavy resumes unless you’re applying to a creative job. P.S. If you are applying to a creative job, put a link to your portfolio in an obvious place. ❌ batch apply to jobs at the same company. I understand the logic: more submissions = better odds. Its the opposite. Its just me seeing that you applied to everything, and I can only interview candidates who meet the qualifications anyway (relatively speaking, that’s another post). Bottom line 👇🏻 I know the job search is hard. I have been in many searches before and rejected hundreds of times. Each time I viewed as an opportunity to optimize, so by the time Fetch found me, I was a pro. Don’t let the fatigue of a search drive you towards behaviors that will actually take up more time and cause you more work in the long run. Take breaks and find people to vent to when you need it. Regulate that emotion as best you can, then get back to your search. 📝 Finally, let me help! I’m happy to review individual resumes in #sales and #marketing (my areas of expertise), for free, if it would be helpful! Be sure to ask more than just me though, as I’ve found more opinions are more beneficial. Email me: S.taryla@fetch.com #jobhunting #resumetips

I can tell within seconds after looking at someone's resume whether they are qualified for the roles I'm trying to fill. If I don't see enough relevant information that is required for the role, I then review their application to see if there is more relevant "meat" in there. For example, the application will ask questions that may not be on the resume like "do you have a clearance?". So I don't reject someone right away for not having a well-written resume; I review everything before deciding to reject someone. So no, the ATS is not rejecting you; I wish the ATS would do my "dirty work", but alas, it's me. Want to know how to not get rejected? Be qualified, don't shoot your shot. While some applicants are qualified, they don't PROVE HOW they are qualified on the their resumes and end up getting rejected. Here are some tips to help you tailor your resume: Review the job description (JD) and go line by line to see what skills they are asking for, and if you have those skills, make sure to list them on your resume and EXPLAIN how and when you've used them. Just listing skills won't help you. If the JD asks for you to have experience with certain tools or databases and you have experience using the ones listed in the JD and then some, make sure to list those on the JD first and then the rest of them. Your resume is a quick snap shot of your background, your awesomeness, and what you bring to the table, so keep it to impactful short bullets and keep your resume no more than 2-3 pages if possible. I've had people submit 10-16 page resumes. Do I reject them? Sometimes, but only if they are NOT qualified. However, other recruiters will reject long resumes because not everyone has time to read a novel when they have 200+ applicants to review for just one job requisition and they may be managing 30+ requisitions. Make it easier for the recruiter to read your resume, keep it simple; just a plain black and white Word or PDF document will do (no foo Canva resumes with ridiculous skills charts please.) If you have a summary section, make it count, don't use fluffy words and sentences like "Dedicated detail-oriented leader who shows up to work on time". Ugh, it is expected that you will show up to work on time! Start strong and use verbiage from the JD. For example if the role is for a project manager with a clearance and experience in managing large budgets, you could start your summary by saying something like: "Top Secret cleared project management professional experienced managing $2M budget within the Department of Defense (DoD)", then continue to give a quick synopsis of what else you've done. Remember, don't waste your resume "real estate" on fluff; get to the point quickly, stop that recruiter on their tracks, and make them want to read more of your resume. I hope these tips help. Good luck to all the job seekers trying to clean up their resumes. Maloney out! ✌ #militarytransition #resumewritingtips #resumeservices

Happy Friday everyone! I've received a few requests for some resume tips and tricks this week and thought I'd share some awesome tips for all the job seekers out there! Here is one of my favorite tips: ⭐ No one knows your work experience better than you do! ⭐ There are countless amounts of job seekers who feel defeated at some point in their job search that consider hiring someone to write a resume for them. Nothing wrong with getting this service but may "Career Coaches" on this platform advertise that they can help you create a resume with a 100% money back guarantee that it will "bypass" applicant tracking system. I can assure you that as long as your resume is in an acceptable file type such as a Word Doc or PDF then your resume is going to make it in front of the recruiter if you apply on their company website. Don't fall victim to some of these scams about trying to "bypass" the ATS. It is a system that stores your application, resume/ other attachments and allows us to move candidates forward to the hiring team. The reason you are probably getting rejected has nothing to do with your resume formatting and everything to do with the quality of content on your resume. 📢 Here is what I want you to try: 💼 1️⃣ Find 3 -4 jobs that are similar by at different companies. Print out the job descriptions for each and set them side by side next to your resume. 2️⃣ Go through all 3-4 job descriptions and find similarities in the qualifications and requirements the hiring team is looking for. Circle them or highlight them. 3️⃣ Head back over to your resume and see if you have that information listed in your resume. If you don't, do you have that experience or skillset? If you do or have something similar, create some bullet points to show case this. Don't just copy and paste the same bullet points from the job description. Create impactful bullet points. 4️⃣ Make these things easy to find in your resume. For example if the job requires a Bachelors or Masters Degree, in your education section, make sure that degree or certification is listed first, especially if you have a ton of certifications or education to list. What I have done in the past is put certifications or degrees that they require in bold so they jump out to the recruiter and it is easy for them to find. Completely my preference and some may not agree which is completely okay but at the very least, make sure those requirements are the first things listed in case the recruiter skims over them being surrounding by so much other information. Follow this formula when you are applying to jobs and watch those request for interviews skyrocket! 🚀 Have a great weekend everyone! 🍻 #jobseekers #resumetips #hiring #veterans