Unfortunately, the answer is not encouraging – there are no guarantees that a human being will ever even see your application! There are a few reasons for this, including the fact that your resume may first undergo an automated screening process. (Another reason is unavoidable, as companies literally throw out unread resumes due to sheer volume!)
The good news:
If you are fortunate enough to have a great personal network and/or you are applying for jobs in smaller companies, your resume will likely land in the right place!The information in this article is directed for those in very competitive job searches.
Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) systems, sometimes known as automated resume screeners, are being used more and more frequently. You can read about some of them here: ATS systems
To stay ahead (or keep up!) with the competition, it helps to understand the screening process.
Step 1: Getting it online
Step 2: Make sure it’s scannable
And by scannable, we don’t just mean “easy to read”. Obviously the typeface needs to be clean and readable, but you might be surprised at some of the recommendations that are now common for online resumes!Tip: if you still apply to smaller companies, keep two versions of your resume – one that looks great on paper, and one that will pass an online screening!
- Avoid horizontal lines that go edge to edge (apparently some software programs can see these lines as page breaks and will ignore what comes afterwards!)
- Stick with standard, non-serif fonts (such as Arial, Calibri or Verdana) – serif fonts sometimes confuse the software, particularly if they have been scanned in
- Keep your font size within 11 to 14 points (too small might be unreadable by the software, and overly-large fonts are sometimes rejected outright)
- No graphics (logos, pictures, etc.) or borders
- Do not use tables for formatting (even if the table borders aren’t showing)
- Use standard margins (one inch is recommended, both at the top and bottom)
- Make sure your contact information is in the body of your resume (not only in the header or footer)
Step 3: Use the right words
This is where the ATS system provides value for the hiring company: the software “reads” each resume and, based on the words used, determines which applicants best suit the job requirements. Even if you are perfect for the job, you could be rejected outright if you’re not presenting yourself properly!Tips on passing the screening process:
- Use “keywords” directly from the job posting, where possible. *
- If there’s no actual description or posting, do your research – know your industry and check the company’s website to find the right keywords to describe your skills and experience.
- List your core skills and qualifications near the top of your resume, as this may boost your rating.
- Make sure your job titles and descriptions are worded optimally, as well.
- Don’t use acronyms or buzzwords that are only applicable to a previous employer and meaningless to everyone else! (For example, if you worked on a proprietary system or process it’s okay to mention it once, but don’t pepper your resume with information that doesn’t matter to anyone else.)
