How to Avoid the ATS Abyss

HOW TO AVOID THE APPLICANT
TRACKING SYSTEM ABYSS
Denis Curtin
2022
© Copyright 2022 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved

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Online Resume Submissions
When submitting your resume online
It will most likely be screened by an
APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM

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Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
The core component of a recruiting
software suite
ATS simplifies the recruitment lifecycle
by automating the hiring process
ATS includes receiving and reviewing
resumes

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Applicant Tracking Systems
Source: certiphi.com

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Top
10
Source: Ongig.com

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Why ATS Resume Optimization?
Many qualified applicants are being rejected
by ATS, not because of a lack of
qualifications but because of
unknowingly formatting their content
so the ATS cannot recognize it.
Source: Jobscan.co Blog

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Why ATS Resume Optimization?
Some sources quote that as many as 75%
of applicants are eliminated by the ATS,
as soon as they submit their resume,
Despite Being Qualified for the Job!
Source: Marc Miller, CareerPivot.com

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Avoiding the ATS Abyss !
Source: commons.wikimedia.org

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PART 1
Formatting Your Resume

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Resume Headers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Header
Don’t

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Resume Footers
ATS Cannot Read Information in a Footer
Don’t

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Resume Type Fonts
Some ATS Have Difficulty Reading Serif Fonts
 Times New Roman
Use Sans Serif Fonts
 Arial
Do

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Resume Font Size
ATS Has Difficulty Reading a Font Size
That is Smaller Than 11 pt. Type
Currently Testing 10.5 Font Size
Do Not Use 10 pt. Type or Smaller
Best Choice: Arial 11 pt. or 12 pt. Type

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Resume Margins
Use a one inch margin on the right and
left sides of your resume
Use a one inch margin at the top and
bottom of your resume
TOP
BOTTOM
(Recommended)

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Submitting PDF Resumes
Unless the Job Posting Specifically States:
Submit a .pdf Resume – Don’t
Older ATS Cannot Read .pdf Resumes
Denis Curtin Resume.pdf
Don’t

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Resume Templates
Most ATS Cannot Read Resume Templates
Straight Type all Entries in Your Resume
© primermagazine.com
Don’t

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Preferred Resume Format
Use Microsoft Word .doc Format
Some ATS Cannot Read .docx Resumes
Denis Curtin Resume.doc
Denis Curtin Resume.docx
Do
Don’t

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Assist ATS Parsing
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, Illinois 60074 847.359.0435
Denmarc@comcast.net www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, IL 60074
847-359-0435
Denmarc@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin/
Don’t
Do
• Use Single Column Format
• Do Not Label the Entries
Don’t Use
Periods
Include Zip Code

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Assist ATS Parsing
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, IL 60074
847-359-0435
Denmarc@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin/
Do
• Include Specific Job Title Sought
• Start with CAREER SUMMARY Section
Director of Operations
CAREER SUMMARY

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Horizontal Rules (Lines)
DENIS J. CURTIN
Palatine, IL 60074
847-359-0435
Denmarc@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/deniscurtin
Don’t
Horizontal Rules Confuse the ATS
As Do Borders
Don’t
Omit
Street
Address

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Shading
Don’t
Shading will be deleted by the ATS
Source: zipjob.com/blog/

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Use Left Justification
WORK EXPERIENCE
LinkedIn® Trainer | LinkedIn® Coach | LinkedIn® Speaker 2011 – Present
Training, coaching and speaking on how to effectively use your LinkedIn profile in your job search.
One-on-one advice for Executive Level candidates seeking LinkedIn profile optimization to
enhance their job search. LinkedIn Presenter at numerous Job Support Groups and libraries in
the Chicago Area. Webmaster for Chicago career transition website:
www.JobSearchChicago.com.
LinkedIn® Trainer | LinkedIn® Coach | LinkedIn® Speaker 2011 – Present
Training, coaching and speaking on how to effectively use your LinkedIn profile in your job
search. One-on-one advice for Executive Level candidates seeking LinkedIn profile optimization
to enhance their job search. LinkedIn Presenter at numerous Job Support Groups and libraries
in the Chicago Area. Webmaster for Chicago career transition website:
www.JobSearchChicago.com.
Don’t
Do
Don’t Have an Even Right Margin

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Use Black Ink on White Paper
Don’t
Do
Source: www.resumeshoppe.com

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Don’t Use
Graphics, Logos, or Images
Don’t
Don’t
Don’t

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ATS Cannot Read Tables Well
Don’t
Or Multiple Columns

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ATS Cannot Read Italics
Don’t
EDUCATION
M.S. Organic Chemistry, Purdue University, W. Lafayette,
Indiana
B.S. Chemistry, cum laude, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa

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ATS May Ignore Skills Section
List Skills Within Each Job
Don’t
© Jobsearch.about.com

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Work Experience
Call Your Work Experience Just That:
WORK EXPERIENCE
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Do
Don’t

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Education
Call Your Education Just That:
EDUCATION
ATS May Not Recognize Phrases Like:
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Do
Don’t

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Never Start With Dates
2000 – 2008 INSIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC., Hanover Park, IL
Insight is the Fortune 500 value-added global reseller of computer
products and services that purchased Comark.
(2003 – 2008) Director – Integration Services
INSIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC., Hanover Park, IL 2000 – 2008
Insight is the Fortune 500 value-added global reseller of computer
products and services that purchased Comark.
Director – Integration Services (2003 – 2008)
Don’t
Do

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Your Resume in the ATS
Source: www.cio.com

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PART 2
Choosing Skills & Keywords

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Choosing Skills & Keywords
Use the Information Found in the
JOB DESCRIPTION
 Keywords
 Required Skills
 Key Phrases

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Use
Friendly
Robots
to beat the
ATS Robot
Source: www.clker.com

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https://theprofessional.me/
From MicroTrain Technologies
No Need to Sign In

38
From MicroTrain Technologies © Copyright 2022 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved

39
From MicroTrain Technologies © Copyright 2022 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved

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From MicroTrain Technologies

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ResyMatch
https://cultivatedculture.com/resume-scanner/

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ResyMatch
From CultivatedCulture.com

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ResyMatch
From Cultivated Culture.com

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ResyMatch
From Cultivated Culture.com

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ResyMatch

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ResyMatch

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ResyMatch

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From SkillSyncer.com

49
SkillSyncer.com

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SkillSyncer.com

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SkillSyncer.com

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SkillSyncer Match Score

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SkillSyncer Match Score

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SkillSyncer Match Report

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SkillSyncer Resume Report

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SkillSyncer Resume Report

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SkillSyncer Skills Match

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From SkillSyncer.com © Copyright 2022 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved

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From SkillSyncer.com © Copyright 2022 – Denis Curtin – www.JobSearchChicago.com – All Rights Reserved

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SkillSyncer
From SkillSyncer.com SkillSyncer offers 1 year FREE for all Military (.mil) and Students (.edu)

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www.JobScan.co
From www.JobScan.co

64
Jobscan.co Match Rate
From www.JobScan.co

65
From www.JobScan.co

66
From www.JobScan.co

67
From www.JobScan.co

68
Jobscan.co Skills Match
From www.JobScan.co

69
From www.JobScan.co

70
From www.JobScan.co

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From www.JobScan.co

72
From www.JobScan.co

73
From www.JobScan.co

74
From www.JobScan.co

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From www.JobScan.co

76
From www.JobScan.co

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From www.JobScan.co Blog

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From www.JobScan.co Blog

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Jobscan.co Account
From www.JobScan.co

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Jobscan.co Costs
Each Month
From www.JobScan.co

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Where to Submit Your Resume
Glassdoor
LinkedIn
Company Website
Best

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Submitting Your Resume
Don’t
Apply Using The Hiring Company Website
www.indeed.com

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Don’t
From www.ZipRecruiter.com

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Try
From www.LinkedIn.com

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Goals For Resume Submission
Follow All The ATS Format Rules (Part 1)
Resume Should Match the Job Description:
(Part 2)
 Skills
 Keywords
 Key Phrases
Error-Free Resume

87
Denis Curtin
WEBMASTER
www.JobSearchChicago.com
Denmarc@comcast.net

How to Avoid the ATS Abyss

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