Application: resume against robot

When you send an application, your resume most of the time arrives in an ATS (Applicant Tracking System – a robot), a database dedicated to recruitment. The first processing is therefore done automatically, by robots. If you want a human to read it, it is imperative to pass this first barrier. So what to do?

• First of all, make sure that the format of your resume is compatible with the processing software that extracts data from it: you must be able to copy and paste all the key information from your resume. Forget resumes in image format, scanned resumes, etc. Word, well used, remains an ally of choice.

• Prioritize simple and readable formatting, avoid various boxes that overlap and make your resume unreadable, whether for a robot or for humans.

• Avoid too original fonts, your font must remain sober and recognizable by all systems.

• Give your resume a title and make it match the title the recruiter is likely to be looking for. The algorithm primarily deals with keywords: use the keywords from the ad, or if it is a spontaneous application, use the lexical field corresponding to the position you are looking for.

• Do not forget that a human will read your resume: the presentation and the ease of reading must remain just as neat!