Do you often apply for new jobs online but hardly receive positive feedback? Well, the issue here may actually not be your skills. Instead, it could be that your presentation is poor. Today, most big US companies use ATS in their hiring process. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter resumes for keywords. It also checks formatting and structure. It rejects documents that are not well-optimized, ensuring the hiring manager never gets to see them. To avoid this issue in your next applications, we recommend prioritizing ATS resume services.
Keep reading to discover the common mistakes many job seekers make and how hiring a resume service helps.
- Using complex formatting
One mistake many job seekers make is designing their resumes with complex elements like:
- Tables
- Fancy graphics
- Text boxes
- Charts
- Inconsistent date formats
- Using the wrong file format
As mentioned earlier, ATS is designed to check the formatting of your resumes. Unfortunately, the system can’t read complex formatting. As such, key details of your resume may end up scrambled or missing.
If you must DIY, ensure to stick with a clean, simple format. The headings should be simple. Besides, always use standard fonts like Arial. If you’re struggling to find the right formatting, we advise you to seek professional help.
- Ignoring keywords from job descriptions
Many job seekers often submit generic resumes. One issue with these documents is that they fail to match the language of the job description.
ATS systems are programmed to look for specific keywords from the job posting. Your resume may end up getting flagged if it fails to include these job-specific keywords naturally.
An effective way to address this issue is by reviewing the job description carefully. While reviewing it, pay attention to recurring words and skills. Ensure that these keywords appear naturally in your resume. This is especially true for the Work Experience and Skills sections. By following these best practices, you should be able to create a resume that passes the ATS screening.
An alternative way to address this issue is by working with professional resume writing services. Experts at Achieving Resumes have good knowledge of ATS. They’ll optimize your document with the necessary keywords to avoid ATS issues.
- Using unnecessary information
Many job seekers often end up including irrelevant information in their resumes. A good example is listing every job you’ve ever had many years ago. This is a big mistake because ATS is only designed to recognize information that’s relevant to the job posting.
You can avoid this issue by only prioritizing job experience that directly relates to the job description. For effective results, stick to recent experiences no more than 10 to 15 years old.
- Incorporating non-standard headings
Today, many job seekers want to get creative with their resumes. As such, they use creative section titles like Career Journey. No doubt, this sounds simple and unique. The only issue, however, is that the ATM systems are only programmed to scan standard terms.
Summary, Work Experience, Skills, and Education are the standard section titles. Ensure to stick to them and avoid using unconventional titles. For effective results, working with professional resume writing services is recommended. With experts at Achieving Resumes, you can rest assured that your documents will be properly formatted and keyword-optimized.
- Keyword stuffing
Keyword stuffing is a common mistake many job seekers make today. Unfortunately, this approach only ends up making the resume feel unnatural and difficult to read.
Executive resume writing service providers understand the implications of keyword stuffing. As such, they ensure only the right keywords are incorporated naturally in the resume. This boosts your chances of getting passed the ATS filters while still sounding natural to the hiring managers.
Why Partner with Achieving Resumes Today?
Partnering with a professional resume writing services provider is a smart career investment. As you already know, the job market today is highly competitive. This explains why most generic or poorly-optimized resumes fail to gain the attention they deserve.
Professional writers at Achieving Resumes understand exactly how ATS works. Besides, they understand how to optimize keywords, format, and organize your resume professionally. Furthermore, these experts understand how to highlight your accomplishments in a way that aligns with the job postings.
No doubt, DIY resume building saves money. However, it requires time and effort. You need to spend your valuable time researching formats and keywords. By working with a professional writer, you can always focus your time on preparing for interviews.
Ready to land more interviews in the coming weeks? Let Achieving Resumes experts handle your project today. Visit the official website to choose ATS resume services that align with your job search needs.