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Is there a tool to make my resume more appealing to ATS software, so my resume gets considered?

Veteran

Angela Roman Avon, IN

I have received a few critiques of my resume and all indicate that it is a poor representation of my abilities. The term Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is the tool being used to screen the resumes. Does anyone have experience or a resource for ATS so that I can represent myself correctly with my resume? Thanks.

11 August 2020 6 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Angela,
Great advice from above peers. Many senior military panic about the resume, when 90% will land a job via networking skills. Believe it or not a company will hire many employees via networks, rather than posting it and fighting the battle. Your ability to get in-front of some one with "network" on your resume is much better than a top notch resume. I looked at your profile on LinkedIn, a networking platform. You have some great attributes, a Masters in HR and you are SPHR. Do some research and find out what companies are looking for, Information Interviews with people working in your field-all you have to do is research Information Interviews and make some calls or set up appoints(may not now). Key you are search for help in what management wants to see in a senior level HR exec.
I am enclosing a couple of articles. Thanks for you service and God Bless. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/come-prepared-transition-process-gap-between-civilian-jerry-welsh/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-more-right-jerry-welsh/

17 August 2020 Helpful answer

Advisor

Robin Schlinger Atlanta, GA

I am considered an expert in ATS in the resume writing field. The software suggested by Kathryn are useful for getting keywords - but not for necessarily writing a powerful resume that not only gets by the ATS - but also shows your worth with accomplishment statements. Your resume needs to include the keywords and be in an ATS-friendly format (tables and text boxes can interfere) - but also have accomplishments to be read by a human. If you need further help, you can email me your resume and job announcement to robin@robinresumes.com.

Good Luck - Robin

Advisor

Joy Montgomery Pleasanton, CA

It's not so much the tool as knowing the keywords in use for the jobs you want and using those terms if they fit you.

Advisor

Jeff Martin Ashburn, VA

My suggestion is to put less focus on the ATS and more focus on tailoring your resume to the specific job, company and industry you are applying to. This takes some effort to research and edit but will pay much higher dividends for you. Another suggestion is to network at the target company or industry. Use LinkedIn to find people already working there and reach out to them. Ask them the process they used to get hired and ask them to help you navigate the hiring process and if they are willing, ask them to submit you as a referral. These activities require much more time on your part but in my opinion would greatly increase your chances for success. Good luck!

Advisor

Deborah Carter Owens Cross Roads, AL

Hi Angela,

Applicant Tracking Systems help HR, talent acquisition professionals and hiring managers screen candidates and manage contact, interviews etc. Regardless of whether the first review is by an ATS or a human being your resume will need to include a clear correlation to the role for which you are applying. This means that it's less about representing all of your abilities in a generic way but more about ensuring that you can effectively demonstrate how your abilities relate in a meaningful way to the role. For veterans, this means eliminating military acronyms and jargon (unless applying for a role which aligns) and making the translations between your experience and the key words in the job description. In most cases an ATS is literally searching for key words, and human beings do too.

I hope this helps, the job search process is really a job in and of itself!

Good luck!
Deb

Advisor

Kathryn O’Brien

Hi Angela, thank you for your service. Hope you and your family are safe and healthy.
A couple that are free:
CVScan: https://cvscan.uk/
Job Scan: https://www.jobscan.co/
Skills Syncer: https://skillsyncer.com/
Resume Worded: https://resumeworded.com/targeted-resume

I would be happy to review your resume.

Many thanks, Kathryn

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