8 Ways to Stand Out in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

By Rachel Pelta

Spotting a job posting that really piques your interest, you write a custom cover letter and resume, then send in your application. However, as many as 250 other job seekers applied too. To help manage these applications, many companies (as much as 99% by some estimates) use an applicant tracking system (ATS).

These bots help organizations weed through applications, then sort and rank them far faster than a team of human recruiters could. Companies count on ATSs to help them find job applicants that are an excellent fit for the role.

Of course, these days, savvy job seekers know that most companies use ATSs. But do you know what to do to help your application stand out in the ATS and end up in the hands of a human recruiter?

8 Ways to Stand Out in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

1. Know What to Say

ATSs are programmed to look for specific keywords and phrases. To identify the keywords the ATS is likely looking for, review the job posting and see which words are used the most often. Those are your keywords.

Sprinkle the keywords and their variants throughout your resume. You can include them in your summary of qualifications statement and in the experience section.

But don’t think you can “trick” the ATS by stuffing as many keywords as possible into your application. Though the ATS will probably be fooled, the human recruiter that sees your resume won’t and will likely pass on your application.

2. Know How to Say It

Including keywords is just the start. To really help your application stand out in the ATS, you need to give those keywords context and meaning. Support your use of keywords with specific examples of your skills and abilities that will impress the human hiring manager when they read your application.

For example, if the posting says it’s looking for someone with data analysis skills, throwing “data analysis” onto your resume a few times will help it get past the ATS. But to make your application stand out, use the STAR method to explain how you use your data analysis skills. This is what gives keywords context and meaning, helping the hiring manager understand what you’ll bring to the role.

3. Only Apply if You’re Qualified

Because ATSs are programmed to look for a combination of skills, education, and experience, your application is more likely to stand out when you apply for positions you’re truly qualified for.

For example, if you only have one year of experience, but the job posting specifies seven years, your application will rank lower than applicants with more experience, making it far less likely you’ll land the interview. But if you have six years of experience, you’re a better fit for the role, and your application will likely rank higher.

The one exception is if you are a career changer. In this case, focus on your transferable skills using the keywords from the job posting to help your resume stand out in the ATS.

4. Considering File Types

Different document types have their own advantages. Some may hold your formatting better, giving your resume a more polished appearance when someone reviews it on a screen.

However, different ATSs prefer different document files. You’ll want to pay close attention to the type of document files the ATS accepts before uploading. This will make it more likely the ATS will find all the relevant information it needs to rank your resume.

5. Simple Is Best

One way to have your resume stand out is to create something “fun.” You might choose a font that truly speaks to who you are or use columns to highlight your skill set. But while that resume might look stunning on-screen, the ATS is going to have a hard time reading it.

Select an easy-to-read font (such as Sans-serif), and skip the columns or other fancy formatting. The ATS is only interested in the words on the page, not how they look.

Also, make sure you pick the right resume format. As a rule, ATSs have an easier time reading chronological or hybrid resumes. Though career changers or those with resume gaps might want to use a functional resume, if you know you’re applying through an ATS, choose a different format and highlight your transferable and soft skills.

6. Label Appropriately

Everyone has “Skills” and “Work Experience” sections on their resumes. But that’s so ho-hum, and you want to give your resume some editorial flair. However, the ATS will have a hard time locating your experience section if you call it something like “Where I’ve Been and What I’ve Done.”

Stick to labeling each section on your resume with words the ATS will recognize. This helps ensure it doesn’t gloss over any pertinent information, like your previous work experience (which should be written out in the following format: your employer’s name; job title; dates of employment) or skills.

7. Spell Things Out

Every industry has its own language and abbreviations for certain sayings or even job titles. And though AI is getting smarter every day, you can’t assume the ATS knows the ins and outs of your industry’s jargon.

While it’s OK to include industry speak throughout your resume, be sure to spell everything out too. That way, the ATS won’t miss anything important. Also, if you have a job with a slash (e.g., Writer/Editor), skip a space between the slash so that the ATS can read both titles (Writer / Editor).

8. Remember the Human Factor

And finally, always remember that the ultimate goal of standing out in an applicant tracking system is to get your resume in front of a human hiring manager. As much as you’re writing it for the ATS, you also need to keep the human element in mind.

Make sure your resume demonstrates why you’re perfect for the role. Use it to show how you’re a culture fit and what skills you will bring to that employer. This will make you memorable to humans, who ultimately do the hiring.

Set Yourself Apart

Standing out in an applicant tracking system is more important than ever. By incorporating some of these tips into your job application, you’ll make it past the ATS and, hopefully, be called in for a job interview!

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