If you’re in the throes of a job search, you might find yourself wondering what happens to your resume after it has been submitted. Sometimes it feels like it goes into a black hole of despair – never to be seen again. Other times you’re left wondering if you just missed something, and the recruiter looked right over it. The truth is, there are a few different things that could happen to your resume after you submit it. We’re breaking down each scenario and what you can do to increase your chances of getting your resume seen by the right people.
It Goes Through An ATS
Most large companies utilize an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is essentially a database that houses all of the information about candidates, including resumes, cover letters, application history, and even interview schedules. There is a lot of talk about “beating the ATS,” but it’s really nothing to be intimidated by. In actuality, it’s just a method for organizing information.
That being said, there are a few ways that you can help your information rise to the top in an ATS. Keywords are essential. The internal hiring team will most likely be using keywords from the job description to sort through resumes and float some to the top. (Especially in this candidate-saturated market when they are receiving hundreds of applications for each position!) However, loading your resume up with keywords doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job or even the interview. Further demonstrating your knowledge of such keywords and putting them into context with your real-world experience will.
Additionally, be sure to keep formatting simple. There are a lot of cool visual templates out there today. Unfortunately, these could actually cost you when it comes to an ATS. Because it’s a computer program, it has a tough time reading images and graphics. So, stick to something simple – created in a text format using Word, Pages, or Google Docs. (We recommend converting to PDF for ease of reading across different systems. Just make sure to create the original in a simple text format!)
It Joins A Pile In The HR Department
If companies don’t utilize an ATS system, their internal HR department is probably in charge of screening, scheduling, and potentially even hiring new employees. This is common with smaller companies that don’t hire hundreds of people every year. There actually isn’t a massive difference between this process and a company that utilizes an ATS.
The biggest thing to note is that you’ll want to make your qualifications clear right off the bat. The HR department might not be as familiar with acronyms or abbreviations, so you need to spell everything out. Again, a clean format with bold headings will help your resume stand out and rise to the top of the list.
Your Resume Gets Delivered Directly To The Hiring Manager
Does this option sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. When you partner with a recruiting firm like Johnson Service Group to take the next step in your career, your resume will be delivered directly to the hiring manager. What’s more, it will be accompanied by a quick summary of why you’re the best candidate for the job. And because we have an established relationship with our clients, they trust us to deliver someone qualified, in the correct salary range, and willing to work in that location.
Don’t believe me? Browse our open positions for one that fits your future, or contact the office closest to you directly! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to have a recruiter go to bat for you.
