{"id":26720,"date":"2024-09-06T13:53:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T03:53:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.com.au\/?p=26720"},"modified":"2024-09-10T14:08:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:08:55","slug":"how-to-write-ats-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.com.au\/how-to-write-ats-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are ATS Resumes and How Do I Write One?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re applying for jobs, optimising your <\/span>resumes<\/span> for ATS is going to set you apart from other candidates (especially in today\u2019s competitive job market, where companies receive more <\/span>resumes<\/span> than they can read)! However, education about what <\/span>ATS resumes<\/span> are and how to create one is still pretty scarce.\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help you navigate this new terrain, we\u2019re running you through all things <\/span>ATS<\/span>-related, including what <\/span>ATS<\/span> stands for, how to create an <\/span>ATS resume<\/span>, and what benefits you\u2019ll reap from sinking some extra time into creating the <\/span>perfect resume<\/span>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/p>\n

What is a <\/span>Resume<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let\u2019s start right at the beginning by covering what <\/span>resumes<\/span> actually are. After all, it\u2019s pretty tricky to <\/span>write the <\/span>perfect resume<\/span><\/a> without knowing why they\u2019re important! In short, resumes are documents that outline your skills and experience to hiring managers, and they can truly make (or break) a job application.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of your <\/span>resume<\/span> as your elevator pitch; you want to convey all the information that makes you a great candidate in a concise and easy-to-read manner. Trust us, the clearer your <\/span>resume<\/span> is, the more hiring managers will love you!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Resume vs. CV:<\/span> What’s the Difference?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

To keep our answer short and sweet, <\/span>there is no real difference<\/span><\/a> between <\/span>resumes<\/span> and CVs in Australia. The two terms are used interchangeably, but \u2018<\/span>resume<\/span>\u2019 is a lot more common here.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re travelling abroad, things get a little more complicated. For example, in the U.S., <\/span>resumes and CVs are two distinct documents<\/span><\/a>. U.S. <\/span>resumes<\/span> are more or less the same as ours, but CVs are much more detailed (and a lot longer, so be thankful they\u2019re not popular here)!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an ATS Resume?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In short, an <\/span>ATS resume<\/span> includes keywords that are highly relevant to the job title and is formatted in a way that allows it to be read by applicant tracking systems (otherwise known as <\/span>ATS<\/span>)!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ATS resumes<\/span> are quickly increasing in popularity as more and more businesses use applicant tracking systems as part of the hiring process. In fact, many of these <\/span>ATS<\/span> programs filter out <\/span>resumes<\/span> they don\u2019t see as fitting the job description (and the ones that aren\u2019t optimised!) before they even reach the hiring manager\u2019s hands. Thus, if you want an actual human to see all the work you put into creating your <\/span>resume,<\/span> it needs to make it past artificial intelligence first.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This might sound like yet another hurdle in your job-hunting journey, but we encourage you to look at it as an opportunity instead! Because many applicants don\u2019t yet know about <\/span>ATS resumes<\/span> (or simply can\u2019t be bothered optimising their <\/span>resumes<\/span>), doing so can set you apart from other applicants and potentially even land you the job!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

How to Make a Resume<\/span> ATS<\/span>-Friendly<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Identify the Main Keywords in the Job Listing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This step is potentially the most simple: all you need to do is figure out what keywords stick out in the job listing and ensure they\u2019re peppered into your <\/span>resume.<\/span> For example, if you\u2019re applying for a fashion retail job, you\u2019ll want to focus on words such as customer service and retail.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you don\u2019t have retail or customer experience to list, don\u2019t worry too much. You can still find a way to integrate these keywords into your <\/span>resume<\/span>! One idea is to make your tagline \u2018Aspiring Customer Service Professional\u2019 or \u2018Future Retail Assistant\u2019 to express your enthusiasm <\/span>and <\/span><\/i>optimise your resume for the applicant tracking system. You could also pop the keywords into your personal statement by writing something along the lines of:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I have a very outgoing disposition and love helping others. Thus, I would thrive in a retail assistant role where I can provide exceptional customer service and spend my workday helping meet our customers\u2019 needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Outline Relevant Skills and Responsibilities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most job listings contain a list of skills and requirements for applicants, which you\u2019ll <\/span>definitely <\/span><\/i>want to include in your <\/span>resume<\/span> (if they\u2019re actually true; it\u2019s never a good idea to lie about your capabilities). These usually include both hard and soft skills, so even if you have no experience, there will likely be a couple that you can claim!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a job listing for a role in hospitality might state that the applicant needs to be skilled at:<\/span><\/p>\n