Recruiter Tips for Tackling the Robots Reading Resumes

Recruiter Tips for Tackling the Robots Reading ResumesRecruiter Tips for Tackling the Robots Reading ResumesEver wondered if anyone even laid eyes on that resume you sent two weeks ago? Many job seekers eagerly wait for a response and wonder where their application ends up. As a recruiter atSimply HiredIm here to tell you what happens after you hit the submit button.The good news Dont worry. We received your resume. Its not lost.The bad news Many factors come into play before your resume gets seen by menschenfreundlich eyes.1. After you send your resume it enters an online system Before a recruiter ever sees your resume it meets a robot called the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which contains a large database of candidate information that helps streamline the recruiting process for an organization.Most companies, particularly large companies, use this technology because its a cost-efficient way to keep all the applications in one place and manage the entire recruiting process. The ATS adds you to its system and takes the content in your resume and scores you based on how closely you meet the recruiters needs. What does this mean for you? It means you need a resume that is robot and recruiter friendly.2. Formatting is just as important as contentInside the ATS, recruiters choose and enter the particular skills and qualifications theyre looking for in a given position. You want to match these desires with keywords that are in the job description. You can have all the right qualifications, but if the ATS cant read your resume then you will be at a disadvantage.A few key tips for an optimized resumeUse keywords in the body of the text and throughout the entire resume when appropriate. The ATS picks up on context and relevance based on tischordnung of the keywords. Use the language the company is using. If theyre calling it online marketing your resume shouldnt be calling it content marketing.Use easy-to-read standard fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman.Proper punctuation and spelling matter.The universally accepted file format is a .doc extension. This format is the safest bet, as the ATS is sure to recognize your information.The way you enter your resume is important. Always upload your resume directly into the system instead of typing your information into each field. This way the ATS can automatically populate your information, making it easier on the entire submission process, for you and the ATS.3. The ATS tracks everything you doOnce youre in the system, recruiters have total visibility of your activity, from replying to emails to applying to multiple jobs at the same company. The ATS provides a dashboard that tracks all of this. Applying to multiple positions with wildly different resumes could hurt your chances of getting hired. It will make you seem unfocused in your job search, and it will call attention to any resume discrepancies. Also, if you reply to the hiring manager, the recruiter can see this and vice versa.The silver l ining for you is that you also have a dashboard. You can login to whatever ATS you applied through and track how many job positions you have applied to and see where you stand on the application process. Just be careful with your applications and interactions with hiring managers or recruiters. Always keep a professional tone and make sure your resume is an honest representation of your skills and experience.4. The ATS is used in many waysWith all of the advanced technology available in the ATS, sometimes its simply used as a database for keeping track of applicants. Often the percent match score is not the final verdict. Recruiters tend to trust their own instincts over a machines evaluation.The percent match score is more likely to come into play when theres a large quantity of applications, a recruiter finds a good resume and does not go through the rest. This is a disadvantage for most job seekers but dont be discouraged, because5. In the end, timing does matterThere is an eleme nt of serendipity. Its best to apply when you first see a job posting because you have a higher likelihood of being seen first. However, dont feel reluctant to apply to older jobs. Older job postings could signify that the recruiter had no luck with previous candidates.The takeaway from all this? A lot goes on behind the scenes, and you cant control what happens after you hit submit. But you can prepare for the ATS, have realistic expectations and be mindful of your actions during the application process. The best thing you can do is make sure your resume clearly reflects your value and stay positive throughout the whole process.Good luck with your job search, and please comment below if you have any questions.