Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems presented at the Executive Network Group (ENG) Meeting on March 10, 2016, at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. 117 job seekers attended the presentation.

1. Optimize Your Resume For
Applicant Tracking Systems
Denis Curtin
2016

2. 2
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

3. 3
Applicant Tracking Systems

4. 4 Source: ongig.com
TALEO

5. 5
Some Taleo Customers
Courtesy of Oracle

6. 6
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

7. 7
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

8. 8
Avoiding the Black Hole !
Source: commons.wikimedia.org

9. 9
ATS Do’s and Don’ts

10. 10
Resume Headers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Header
Don’t

11. 11
Resume Footers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Footer
Don’t

12. 12
Resume Type Fonts
ATS Has Difficulty Reading Serif Fonts
Times New Roman
Use Sans Serif Fonts
Arial
Don’t
Do

13. 13
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

14. 14
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

15. 15
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

16. 16
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

17. 17
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

18. 18
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

19. 19
Use Black Ink on White Paper
Don’t
Do

20. 20
Don’t Use
Graphics, Logos, or Images
Don’t
Don’t
Don’t

21. 21
ATS Cannot Read Tables Well
Don’t
Or Multiple Columns

22. 22
ATS Cannot Read Underlines
Don’t

23. 23
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

24. 24
ATS Ignores Skills Section
List Skills Within Each Job
Don’t
© Jobsearch.about.com

25. 25
Work Experience
Call Your Work Experience Just That:
WORK EXPERIENCE
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Do
Don’t

26. 26
Education
Call Your Education Just That:
EDUCATION
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Do
Don’t

27. 27
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

28. 28
Your Resume in the ATS

29. 29
Choosing Keywords
Use the Information Found in the
Job Description
Keywords
Required Skills
Key Phrases

30. 30
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

31. 31
Word Cloud Example
www.Wordle.net

32. 32
Word Cloud Example
www.Wordle.net

33. 33
Word Cloud Example
www.ToCloud.com

34. 34
Word Cloud Example
www.ToCloud.com
Skills

35. 35
Use a Robot
to beat the
ATS Robot

36. 36
www.JobScan.co
James Hu

37. 37
Jobscan.co Match Rate

38. 38
Jobscan.co Skills Match
Blue Line - Resume Black Line - Job Description

39. 39
Jobscan.co Skills Match

40. 40
Jobscan.co Match Rate
Resume
Job Description

41. 41
Jobscan.co Skills Match

42. 42
Jobscan.co Costs
Each Month

43. 43
Goals For Resume Submission
Follow All The ATS Rules
Resume Should Match the Job Description:
Skills
Keywords
Key Phrases
Error-Free Resume

44. 44

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Denis Curtin
WEBMASTER
www.JobSearchChicago.com
Denmarc@comcast.net
© Copyright 2016 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved