EEO | Robin's Resumes (r)

Why You Need Two Resumes

Apr 07 2013

These days, almost every company uses a computerized program, known as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), for their initial selection of resumes that fit the job they want to fill. ATS programs follow very specific rules: if your resume breaks the rules, it may not be selected even if you are highly qualified for a position.

I had a client who had written his own resume for a temporary position at a big, Fortune 500 company. He was accepted since he had the experience and he knew the recruiter. When the temporary position was converted to a permanent position, he tried to apply and his resume was not selected for the position. He needed to have an ATS-friendly resume. First, the ATS had to select him as an appropriate candidate based on his resume, and then he could be considered for the position.

I wrote his resume to fit ATS criteria, and he got the full-time job. My rewriting included the standard headers and format that the ATS expected. Even though you, as an intelligent human being, can see a better way to present information, your resume needs to conform to the ATS criteria. Note that the Fortune 500 company where my client applied explained that they used the ATS system to make sure they complied with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.

These days, most job seekers need two resumes to apply for one position: one resume for human eyes and one resume for the ATS—and you may need to send both to your contacts. Computers and people do not read or comprehend data in the same way.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we write the resumes you need to get the job you deserve.

The Best Word Processing Software for Your Resume

Mar 31 2013

There are still a lot of word processing programs to choose from, including Word LaTeX, WordPerfect, OpenOffice, and Ability Write. However, unless you are applying to a company that specifically asks for a resume in some other format, use Microsoft Word.

Before many hiring managers read resumes they electronically load or scan the resume into their Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and use an algorithm to screen for keywords related to the job. Those keywords identify resumes that seem to meet the job requirements. ATS systems are now used for more than 70% of new hires in the US, due to the number of people applying for jobs, the need to track applicants throughout the hiring process, and the reporting requirements of the US Federal Government Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).

All ATS programs read Word but many of them cannot read resumes in any of the other word processing or PDF format. You want a clean Word format without tables, columns, text boxes, or headers/footers, so the ATS systems can read it correctly.

Please contact me if you need help with your resume.

Applicant Tracking Systems: Why They Are Used and How They Affect You

Sep 08 2012

As I explained in the previous blog, an applicant tracking system (ATS) is a computer program that selects resumes based on how well they fit an open position. It’s important to note that your resume does not appear in the ATS the way you wrote it. The ATS pulls up only the information it considers to be relevant to the position.

Everyone knows that an ATS may miss those critical points that prove how right you are for a job. So why would a company use an ATS? A client of mine sought me out because he ran into exactly this problem. He had successfully handled a position as a temporary employee; yet, when the position became permanent and he re-applied, the ATS rejected his resume. When I rewrote his resume, he got the job because I made sure his resume was ATS compatible.

How did the Fortune 500 company explain this situation? They needed a hiring system that was Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliant. They decided to use the ATS system to be sure they selected candidates to interview fairly.

I believe we are reaching a time when applicants need two separate resumes (or more): one for networking and human eyes and one for ATS systems. Computers and people do not read or comprehend data in the same way.

Is you resume ATS-compatible? Ask Robin’s Resumes® and we’ll find out.