Understanding the ATS & its Impact on Executive Resume Writing
As globalization transcends into glocalization, drawing a correlation between the job market landscape and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) mechanics is paramount. And when it comes to C-Level positions, one must seek professional executive resume writing services.
But did you know that top-tier recruitment firms have employed ATS as gatekeepers to score job applications for the last 3 decades? Hence, understanding how it handles resumes and application becomes even more critical for executive job seekers.
In the contemporary scenario, where developed economies are caught in the whirlpool of inflation, unemployment, and massive downsizing, applicants are dumping their resumes on online job portals in anticipation of landing a job.
Well, we have some bad news for you. Once the ATS filters or rejects your resume, the probability of getting a job is slim, and consequently, you would fish yourself out of the job market.
Before you storm your applications, you must understand and explore ATS functionalities to optimize your resume for a successful job application.
Why don’t we explore the concept of ATS and its impact on your executive resume further?
What is an ATS?
Before the internet stormed the corporate world, a job seeker would subscribe to various newspapers and spend hours reading every word in the job classification section. The person would circle the particular job, print out a hard copy of the resume, and mail it to the recruitment office of the concerned organization.
The HR department collected huge piles of physical resumes, which would either collect dust or get shortlisted for an interview. The irrelevant ones went straight to the paper shredder.
In this process, the resume would get lost in the mail, filed in the wrong binder, or mistakenly categorized as rejected, and the deserving job applicant would hopelessly wait for a call.
Sound familiar?
To support the human resource department in shortlisting and hiring the right candidate, organizations developed a candidate contact management system that would:
- Manage and Automate the Recruitment Process
- Streamline Resume Screening
- Track Applicant Data
- Match Relevance with Requirements
As organizations take actionable and efficient measures in making ATS an integral part of talent sourcing, mid-tier or large-tier organizations, and online job portals, it is imperative that every executive job seeker understands the dynamics of the Applicant Tracking System. And you can read this article for landing a job as an executive assistant.
How An ATS Works In The Recruitment Process?
Simply put, ATS allows the firm to collect information and organize the candidate based on the job experience, distinctive keywords, professional acumen, and skillset.
Common Features and Functionalities of an ATS
Some of the common features and functionalities that help in adding more robustness to your talent acquisition strategy are:
- Import And Export Data
- Universal Candidate Search
- Keyword Tagging
- Interface with careers pages
- Employer branding
- Candidate sourcing
- Managing interviews
- Centralization of Information via CRM
- Mobile Recruiting
- Security and Stability
- Reports, Dashboard, and Analytics.
The Impact of ATS on Executive Resumes
If you want your executive resume to filter through the ATS and grab the recruiter’s attention, please adhere to the following tips:
1. Resume Formatting
Use professional and acceptable font, size, and style. There is a generic flow of information in how the resume is structured, so make sure the text place and contact information are written appropriately. Always upload the resume in an acceptable format, such as PDF or Doc. Don’t use complex designs like tables, charts, or infographics in your resume.
2. Keyword Optimization
To understand how ATS uses keywords in resume screening, you must use relevant titles and subtitles for executive positions to sort your resume through relevance. The next thing to bear in mind is the vocabulary.
While showcasing your achievements, experiences, and technical and professional acumen, tweak your resume per the job requirements, as it will increase your chances of being shortlisted.
Don’t use one resume for all jobs. It would be best if you changed certain keywords in your resume, as it is important to customize resumes for different positions, and after you have analyzed the job description, align the resume information and apply. Moreover, don’t forget to highlight your achievement and SMART Goals as they speak for performance.
3. Create ATS-Friendly Executive Resumes
Optimize your resume for successful application by writing a “Strong Executive Summary” or “Profile Section” with a compelling story. It should define and add value to your application. It doesn’t need to be long, but it should capture the recruiter’s eye to read further down the resume.
The next element you need to focus on in your resume is your achievements in terms of numbers, which will add impact and the potential value you can give to the organization. As stated earlier that each resume needs to be customized. Hence each resume must follow a specific semantic that aligns your resume to the jargon used by the particular industry as it augments the ATS’s knack to compartmentalize your qualifications and expertise.
4. Proofreading and Editing
Perhaps the most important part you need to focus on is drafting your resume, well-structured and coherent, free of errors. One small mistake, typo, or grammatical error and ATS will easily put your resume to the rejected folder. So please always proofread your resume, make it presentable, legible, and use professional tone and colors.
How to comply with ATS
Remember that anything you write, post or upload needs to be optimized. When it comes to executive resume writing, it’s not different. Your resume being compatible with others is elemental. There are some tips that you can adopt as you navigate through the straits of ATS.
- Don’t rely on ATS completely.
- Realize the importance of getting yourself acquainted with the resources involved in the hiring process.
- Leverage your professional network and personal connections, and if possible, try looking for ways to bypass ATS.
- Platforms like LinkedIn can help build relationships with industry leaders and top recruiters.
- If you really want to ace your resume, seek help from professional resume writing service providers.
You are living in the digital frontier, and the challenges ATS poses are inevitable. It would be best if you drafted an ATS-compatible resume. Everything in the hiring process is a game-changer, and ATS is not that different. In addition, almost all online portals are witnessing a paradigm shift in fortifying their ATS with blockchain management technology to create smart candidate profiles and conducting due diligence on credentials as claimed by job seekers. And for more you can read this article to optimize your resume for ATS.
ATS is not the End
As the professional resume writing services providers, we know how you can rock the ship as our executive resume writing services are spearheaded by industry leaders who can help you steer through the job market inundated by menaces in the shapes of ATS and alike.
So what’s stopping you?
