Mercy Makau
“Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Compliant resume” has become a familiar term used frequently lately. So what is ATS? An Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, is a software application companies use to streamline and manage their recruitment and hiring processes. Interestingly 40% 0f the recruiters use it.
Most career coaches and resume writers claim they can create an ATS compliant CV. But do you truly understand what an ATS compliant CV entails? Today, I will help you grasp the essence of an ATS compliant CV. Here are some essential facts to consider:
An ATS compliant CV is more traditional compared to modern CV formats. It requires the following:
1. Ensure your sections are clear and simple, such as “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Skills,” for example.
2. Avoid using tables; instead, opt for a single-column layout in your CV. ATS reads information from top to bottom, not from side to side.
3. Use standard font types like Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, Garamond, or Georgia.
4. Avoid headers and footers. However, if submitting a physical CV, consider including them to help recruiters locate your CV easily if documents become disoriented.
5. Omit a photo, as ATS cannot read images.
6. Incorporate keywords from the job advertisement, which you can identify using a word cloud generator.
7. Avoid using text boxes and graphics like icons for phone, email, or LinkedIn, as ATS cannot interpret such elements.
8. Present your points using round or square bullet points.
9. Keep your CV brief; two pages are sufficient.
10. Quantify your achievements.
11. Avoid using Yay text to bold your keywords, as they may appear as boxes in the ATS. (Also, avoid using them in your LinkedIn headline, as you may not be found in search engines.)
12. Use the resume in PDF format.
After reading this article, evaluate if your CV truly aligns with the requirements of an ATS compliant CV. Contact us today through +254 793 540784 or hi@maxincareeraxis.com, and we’ll assist you in crafting an ATS Compliant CV.