How to Create an Outstanding ATS-Friendly Resume
Have you been actively applying for jobs in the UAE? But never hear back? Well, maybe you are doing it the wrong way. And one of the most common reason for this is your poor CV. So, just take a moment, look at your resume and ask yourself: Have you personalised it for the job you are applying for?
Is it good enough to outshine others?
Can it surpass the advanced ATS systems?
Well, if the answer is NO to anyone of this. Then you need to change it right away.
What is an ATS-Friendly Resume?
Dude! If you don’t know what an ATS-friendly resume is, then trust me, you can never land a job in the UAE. You know, the world of job market has changed drastically in the UAE. There are more than 418,500 job openings every year in the UAE. And for each job, there are over hundreds of job applicants.
So, you can think of the competition there!
That is why, to deal with such a large number of applicants, the companies have installed an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for shortlisting eligible candidates. So, when you apply for a job, the ATS scans your resume, looks for keywords and check if your experience and qualification matches the requirements. Thus, if your CV fails to pass this, it is never going to reach the hiring manager. So, it’s like getting KICKED OUT right at the first level.
How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume?
Hence, it has become crucial for job seekers to create an ATS-friendly resume to ensure their success. Now, the point is how to create it. Well, no worries, I got you covered. Here we go:
Keep Your Formatting Simple
When you are creating your CV for the ATS. You cannot use fancy designs and layouts. As recruiters normally get attracted to such resumes. But ATS cannot read them properly and just rejects them. So:
- Only use simple formats and layouts
- Avoid graphics and tables
- Choose standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman with a readable size
Use the Right Keywords
This is the most important thing to do while creating an ATS-friendly resume. These are the specific words that ATS will be looking for in your resume. So, you need to strategically plant them in your CV.
Here is how you can find them:
- Carefully read the job description and highlight the key points
- Include it in your resume in a natural way
- Do not overstuff them
Use Standard Headings
You know, the ATS looks for specific headings to understand your CV. So, using creative headings would cause trouble for you. Thus, keep it simple and use general resume headings like “Work Experience” or “Education”. This will make sure that ATS scans your CV without any problem.
Hire a Professional CV Maker
If you believe that you are not good enough to create an ATS friendly resume or have tried enough. Then you need a professional CV for jobs. They are experts and know exactly how to create an outstanding CV that have all the features to pass the advance ATS of any company. Consider these as your triumph card in the UAE job market.
Focus on Your Skills
- List both hard and soft skills
- Match skills with the Job
- Use specific skills that match the job description
The skills section of your resume is quite important for ATS. It will definitely look for the right skills in you to see if you are competent enough for the role.
Here is what you need to do.
Include Relevant Work Experience
Work experience really matters when you are creating an ATS-friendly resume. For instance, if the job description says “Require 4 years of experience,” then ATS will look for it. So make sure that you:
- Include job titles, company name and dates
- Write short bullet points
- Use action verbs
Save Your Resume in the Right Format
Always take a careful look at the instructions given by the recruiter and save your resume in that specific format. Sometimes they need your CV in Docx. file. While other times they need it in PDF. So, make sure that you are following those instructions to avoid getting rejected. And do not forget to proofread it in the end. It is really important.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, creating an ATS friendly resume has become an essential task for job seekers in the UAE if they really want to land a job. Therefore, they must make sure that they have customized their resume for each job to make sure that it pass the ATS of a company. So, make sure that you follow these steps and create your very own ATS friendly resume to land your dream job.