Applicant Tracking Systems: Steps to Follow to Get the Interview

When employers use ATS systems (Applicant Tracking Systems) to screen resumes, you need to pay special attention to your content and formatting to make sure your application isn’t overlooked.

• When applying for a specific position, include that job title on the résumé.
• Use the descriptors “phone:” and “email:” in front of the phone number and email address so the ATS system can identify this information.
• When listing dates for employment or education, put the dates to the right of the information or on a separate line.
• Include section headers to make it easy for the applicant tracking system to categorize the information.
• If you are working towards a degree or certification that is a requirement for the position, include it on the résumé — but make sure you include a phrase such as “Pursuing (name of credential)” or “Degree anticipated (date).”
• Do not include skills you don’t possess on the résumé as an attempt to “trick” the applicant tracking system into selecting you. (Remember, the résumé will eventually be reviewed by a human.)
• Check your email after applying for a position online. Some applicant tracking systems acknowledge submissions, but because these are automated responses, it may be diverted to your spam folder.
• Be mindful of special characters and accents you use on your résumé. Some words and phrases can be misinterpreted by an applicant tracking system — for example, accented words. The word “résumé” itself is not ATS-friendly. The ATS does not recognize the accented letters. Instead, it reads it as “r?sum?.”
• Do not list your credentials (MBA, CPA, etc.) next to your name. Include that information on a separate line.
• Do not mix different fonts and sizes in your résumé.
• Do not submit multiple résumés to the same company. Applicant tracking systems have a memory — all those previous submissions remain in the system. You can apply to multiple, related positions, but make sure the résumé information is consistent (i.e., the number of years in a particular job, for example), because the hiring manager will have access to the other versions too.

Learn more about ATS Systems

• Applicant Tracking Systems: What You Must Know To Get The Interviews You Want
• Common Questions: What You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems