It’s a wild world out there! Job hunting can be like a game of hide-and-seek with those elusive dream opportunities.

And guess what? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are like the sneaky guardians keeping those opportunities locked away.

But fear not my fellow adventurers we can outsmart them! This guide will help you unleash the power of ATS optimization and unlock a 90+ score on your resume.

What are Applicant Tracking Systems?

Imagine a digital gatekeeper for resumes.

That’s an ATS! It’s like a super-powered keyword detector carefully evaluating resumes based on job requirements.

Tired of getting lost in the resume black hole? 🕳️ Stop throwing your resume at the mercy of the ATS gods and learn how to craft a resume that scores 90+. Get those dream job interviews rolling in! 🚀

This is why crafting a perfect resume isn’t just about being creative; it’s about speaking the language of the system.

ATS – The Key to Your Job Hunt

Streamlining the process: Think of ATS as a giant sorting machine. It helps recruiters handle a massive influx of resumes ensuring no gems get lost in the shuffle.
Reducing bias: An ATS takes the guesswork out of the selection process ensuring a more objective evaluation of your skills and experience.
Improving efficiency: By automating the initial screening ATS helps companies save time and resources allowing them to focus on the most promising candidates.

The ATS Market – It’s Big Business!

Fortune 500 dominance: Nearly all Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS to streamline their hiring process.
Large company adoption: A significant majority of large organizations use ATS for their hiring needs making it essential for job seekers to understand how to optimize their resumes for this technology.
Growing trend: Smaller companies are catching on too! The use of ATS is expanding across various industries so understanding how to navigate it is becoming increasingly crucial.

Decoding the ATS Score:

Think of it as a test.

Your resume is being graded and you want to ace it! Here’s how it works:

80% and above: Your resume is a top contender likely making it to the hands of a human recruiter for a potential interview.
20% to 80%: You’re on the radar but might need a little more polish. The system stores your resume for future consideration.
Below 20%: This score is like a ‘do not pass’ sign. You might not even get a second glance from the system.

Optimizing Your Resume for ATS Success:

It’s time to turn your resume into an ATS-friendly masterpiece! Here’s how:

The Rules of the Game:

Standard Formatting: Say goodbye to fancy layouts graphics and unusual fonts. Keep it simple clean and easily digestible.
Keyword Power: Remember those keywords from the job description? Scatter them like seeds throughout your resume!
Headings That Matter: Use standard headings like “Work Experience” “Education” and “Skills.” This helps the ATS understand your information.
Say No to Tables and Graphics: These can confuse the ATS. Focus on bullet points and clear text.
Customization Is Key: Every job application is a new adventure. Adjust your keywords and highlight relevant experience for each one.

Mastering the Tools of the Trade:

Ready to take your ATS game to the next level? Let’s explore some powerful tools that can help you achieve a 90+ score!

Teal: Your Keyword Expert

Unlocking the Code: Teal helps you find hidden keywords in job descriptions giving you insights into what the ATS is looking for.
A Helping Hand: It scans job descriptions and identifies essential hard and soft skills to include on your resume making it easier to optimize for a 90+ score.

Using Teal Like a Pro:

Chrome Extension: Get the Teal extension for Chrome.
Job Description Analysis: Visit a job listing on LinkedIn or other platforms.
Teal Power: Click the Teal icon. It will reveal the key skills the employer is seeking.
Save for Later: Use the “Save Job” button to review the list of keywords later.

WPS Office: Your Resume Builder

Free and User-Friendly: WPS Office has a fantastic resume builder tool that lets you create professional resumes with ATS-friendly templates.
Templates to the Rescue: Choose from a library of templates that are already optimized for ATS scanning making it easier to get started.

Crafting Your Resume with WPS Office:

The Tools Tab: Open WPS Office and click on the “Tools” tab.
Resume Master: Select the “Resume Master” option.
Let’s Get Started: Click “Create My Resume Now.”
Template Library: Browse through the template library and choose one that suits your style.
Fill in the Blanks: Enter your information in the different sections of the template.
Download Time: Click “Download” to save your resume in PDF Word or TXT format.

Teal – Your Resume Optimizer

Keyword Matchmaker: Teal can analyze your resume against a job description highlighting areas where you need to add more keywords for a better ATS match.
Matching and Upgrading: See your current match score review the keywords and make adjustments to your resume.

Using Teal for Maximum Optimization:

Resume Builder Tab: Go to the “Resume Builder” tab on the Teal website.
Create or Import: Start a new resume from scratch or upload an existing one.
Matching Time: Select the “Matching” tab and choose the job description you want to optimize your resume for.
Improving Your Score: See the list of keywords and add any missing ones to your resume to boost your match score.
Export and Shine: Once you reach a 90+ score export your resume as a PDF.

Jobscan: Your ATS Test Drive

The Final Score: Jobscan analyzes your resume against job descriptions and provides an ATS score giving you a realistic idea of how it would perform.
Improvement Strategies: Jobscan offers suggestions and insights on how to further optimize your resume for better results.

Testing Your Resume with Jobscan:

Head to Jobscan: Visit the Jobscan website.
Scan Your Resume: Click “Scan your resume” and upload your resume.
Paste the Job Description: Paste the text of the job description.
The Results Are In: Jobscan will analyze your resume and provide you with a score and areas for improvement.

WPS Office: Your Formatting Guardian

PDF Conversion Magic: WPS Office lets you convert your resume from a Word document to a PDF format ensuring your formatting stays intact and reaches employers as intended.
Editing Power: WPS Office’s editing features make it easy to fine-tune your resume after reviewing it with Jobscan.

Converting Your Resume with WPS Office:

Open Your Resume: Open your resume in WPS Writer.
Export to PDF: Click the Menu button then select “Export to PDF.”
Save It: Choose a location to save your PDF file.
Conversion Time: Click “Convert.” Your PDF will be ready to go!

Tips for Creating a Stellar ATS-Friendly Resume:

Keep it Simple: Stick to a professional layout with clear fonts like Times New Roman or Arial.
Avoid Excessive Styling: No need for lots of bolding italics or colors. Keep it clean and modern.
One-Page Rule: Make your resume concise. Remove unnecessary details.
Keywords Are Your Friends: Include relevant keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
Summary Statement: Use a summary statement instead of an objective statement to emphasize your skills and qualifications.
Proofread Carefully: Double-check your resume for any errors in grammar spelling or formatting.

Final Thoughts:

Job hunting is a journey.

By embracing these tools and techniques you can create an ATS-optimized resume that will help you stand out from the crowd and land your dream job!

Remember this is a journey of continuous learning and improvement.

So keep exploring keep refining your skills and never stop believing in your potential!

How to Create an ATS Resume with 90+ Score