In today's digital age, most employers use automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen job applications. ATS is software that filters CVs based on specific criteria set by the employer, such as skills, education, and work experience.
To ensure your CV passes the ATS screening process, it's essential to understand how it works and how to optimise your CV accordingly.
Here are some tips on how to include keywords into your CV, and how ChatGPT can help:
Before you start working on your CV, read the job description carefully. Identify the skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for in a candidate. These are the keywords you need to incorporate into your CV to get past the ATS. Look for phrases and words that appear multiple times in the job description and reflect them in your CV based on your own skills.
One-size-fits-all CVs no longer work in the digital age. To maximise your chances of getting past an ATS, customise your CV for each job you apply for. Use the keywords from the job description and tailor your work experience, skills, and achievements to match the requirements of the position.
Use relevant job titles and industry-specific keywords that are common in your field. For example, if you're applying for a marketing job, use keywords such as SEO, SEM, social media, and content marketing (if those are the skills mentioned in the job advert). ATS systems are programmed to recognise specific job titles and skills, so including them in your CV will increase your chances of getting noticed.
While it's essential to include keywords in your CV, don't overdo it. ATS systems are designed to identify CVs that match the job description, but they can also detect CVs that have been stuffed with keywords. Make sure that the keywords you include are relevant and make sense in the context of your work experience and qualifications.
ATS systems can struggle with CVs that have complicated layouts or designs. To avoid this, use a simple, clean format that's easy to read. Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and skills, and avoid using images, tables, and graphs in your CV.
Importantly, make sure that your CV is free from errors and typos. ATS systems can detect misspelt words, grammatical errors, and formatting issues, which could result in your CV being rejected. Proofread your CV carefully and edit it multiple times to ensure that it's error-free.
If you're struggling to optimise your CV for ATS, ChatGPT can help. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, ChatGPT can provide suggestions and feedback on your CV, including how to incorporate relevant keywords and how to format your CV for ATS. ChatGPT can also provide you with tips on how to tailor your CV for specific job applications.
Here are some prompts you can use when seeking help from ChatGPT to optimise your CV for ATS:
In conclusion, understanding how ATS systems work is essential for job seekers in today's digital age. By incorporating relevant keywords into your CV, customising it for each job, and using a clean, easy-to-read format, you can increase your chances of getting past the ATS and landing an interview. And with the help of ChatGPT, you can further enhance your CV and increase your chances of success.
If you're interested in accessing career resources, job opportunities, and more, we invite you to join the OLLMOO community. As a member, you'll gain exclusive access to valuable insights and tools to help you achieve your career goals.
