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Optimize Your Resume For
Applicant Tracking Systems
Denis Curtin
2017
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved
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Outline
INTRODUCTION
1. RESUME FORMATTING
2. HELPFUL ROBOTS
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INTRODUCTION
Applicant Tracking Systems
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Online Resume Submissions
When submitting your resume online
It will most likely be screened by an
APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM
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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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6
Applicant Tracking Systems
7 Source: ongig.com
TALEO
8
Some Taleo Customers
Courtesy of Oracle
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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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11
Avoiding the Black Hole !
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
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ATS Do’s and Don’ts
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PART 1
Formatting Your Resume
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Resume Headers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Header
Don’t
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Resume Footers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Footer
Don’t
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Resume Type Fonts
ATS Has Difficulty Reading Serif Fonts
Times New Roman
Use Sans Serif Fonts
Arial
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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18
Resume Margins
Use a one inch margin on the right and
left sides of your resume
Use a one inch margin at the top and
bottom of your resume
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TOP
BOTTOM
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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 Format
Use 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 Parsing
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, Illinois 60074 847.359.0435
Denmarc@comcast.net www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, Illinois 60074
847-359-0435
Denmarc@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin/
Don’t
Do
• Use Single Column Format
• Do Not Label the Entries
Don’t Use
Periods
Include Zip Code
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Horizontal Rules (Lines)
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, Illinois 60074
847-359-0435
Denmarc@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin
Don’t
Horizontal Rules Confuse the ATS
As Do Borders
Don’t
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23
Use Left Justification
WORK 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
25
Don’t Use
Graphics, Logos, or Images
Don’t
Don’t
Don’t
26
ATS Cannot Read Tables Well
Don’t
Or Multiple Columns
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27
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,
Indiana
B.S. Chemistry, cum laude, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
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29
ATS Ignores Skills Section
List Skills Within Each Job
Don’t
© Jobsearch.about.com
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30
Work Experience
Call Your Work Experience Just That:
WORK EXPERIENCE
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Do
Don’t
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31
Education
Call Your Education Just That:
EDUCATION
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Do
Don’t
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32
Never Start With Dates
2000 – 2008 INSIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC., Hanover Park, Illinois
Insight 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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33
Your Resume in the ATS
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PART 2
Choosing Keywords
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Choosing Keywords
Use the Information Found in the
JOB DESCRIPTION
Keywords
Required Skills
Key Phrases
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© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved
Word Clouds
Use 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
38
Word Cloud Example
www.ToCloud.com
39
Word Cloud Example
www.ToCloud.com
Skills
40
Use Robots
to beat the
ATS Robot
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https://theprofessional.me/
From MicroTrain Technologies
42https://theprofessional.me/
From MicroTrain Technologies
43
https://theprofessional.me/
From MicroTrain Technologies
44https://theprofessional.me/
From MicroTrain Technologies
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www.JobScan.co
James Hu
From www.JobScan.co
46
Jobscan.co Match Rate
From www.JobScan.co
47
Jobscan.co Skills Match
From www.JobScan.co
48
Jobscan.co Skills Match
From www.JobScan.co
49
Jobscan.co Skills Match
From www.JobScan.co
50
Jobscan.co Match Rate
Resume
Job Description
From www.JobScan.co
51
Jobscan.co Match Rate
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
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Jobscan.co Match Rate
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
53
Jobscan.co Match Rate
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
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Jobscan.co
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
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Jobscan.co Account
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
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Jobscan.co
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
57
Jobscan.co Costs
Each Month
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights ReservedFrom www.JobScan.co
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Goals For Resume Submission
Follow All The ATS Format Rules (Part 1)
Resume Should Match the Job Description:
(Part 2)
Skills
Keywords
Key Phrases
Error-Free Resume
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60
Denis Curtin
WEBMASTER
www.JobSearchChicago.com
Denmarc@comcast.net
© Copyright 2017 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved