The first step to landing a data science role is getting your customised CV before a hiring manager or recruiter. Unfortunately, this process isn’t always as simple as it seems.
As data science companies look for ways to simplify and digitise the hiring process, many are turning to technology for help. ATS systems, or Applicant Tracking Systems, can help recruitment agencies and teams sort through the applications for each role. Unfortunately, 70% of job applications fail to pass the ATS test.
While an ATS system can save a company a lot of time searching for the right talent, there are many ways the technology can trip data science candidates up.
Here are some of the best strategies to make your CV/resume ATS friendly.
1. Choose the Right CV format
Formatting is one of the most important factors in ensuring your CV is ATS-friendly. Your information needs to be well-organised and easy for the technology to scan through.
Reverse chronological is the most commonly recommended formatting option for most CVs. This is the go-to for most data science recruiters, as it places the most important information (your work experience) at the top of the page.
Reverse chronological formatting also ensures your most relevant and recent information appears on your CV before anything else.
2. Find the Right File Type
The file type is the document you use to send your CV to a company or recruiting agency. When applying for a role, you might see requests for specific file types on the job description. Usually, the versatile option is the PDF, as it can be read by most ATS software.
PDF files are excellent for maintaining the formatting and design of your CV/resume. However, some older applicant tracking models cannot read PDFs. In this case, your would-be employer might ask you to submit a .doc file.
Make sure you read the instructions carefully to ensure you’re using the right file type.
3. Use a Simple Layout
Simplicity is important for any CV, particularly in the data science environment, where you need to list your technical skills.
A simple CV layout will be easy to read, with short bulleted lists highlighting your achievements.
Avoid using complex graphics or extra formatting to make your CV look more impressive. Fancy templates can be scrambled by the ATS technology, which may make your CV harder to read and even get your application thrown out by the system.
There are special ATS templates available online if you’re stuck.
4. Use Keywords
Excellent CVs/resumes and cover letters for any data science role should be tailored to suit the position’s specific requirements. Ensure that any important keywords listed in the job description match the language on your CV that the ATS software might be looking for in your application.
For instance, skills related to a specific role are often one of the first things your ATS will look for. If you need a certain certification or degree to be suitable for a certain role, include those exact words on your CV.
It’s also worth using plenty of action words in your resume because this helps to highlight things you’ve accomplished. Try terms like “modelled” or “managed”.
Don’t just throw keywords in at random, though; make sure the terms you use make sense in the context of the application. If you don’t have the relevant experience, don’t include it. Remember: A human will still read your CV after the ATS and you will need to answer questions to support your experience and knowledge.
5. Don’t Apply for Too Many Roles At Once
ATS tools are designed to find the best possible person for each role. With that in mind, it’s worth thinking carefully about whether you’re the right individual for the position you’re applying for. If you don’t have any of the skills the company is asking for on a job description, you’re not going to pass the ATS test.
Similarly, applying for multiple jobs with the same company could lead to the technology labelling your application as spam.
Even if you get through to the human review stage with one or two applications, sending too many job applications to the same company can make you look like you’re desperate for any role rather than applying for the right position.
6. Don’t Game the System
As ATS systems become increasingly popular worldwide, there has been an increase in people attempting to “game the system” or find ways to outsmart the technology.
Although you might be able to find a handful of articles and guides telling you how to improve your chances of getting through any screening process, tricking the system won’t work long-term.
Even if you did manage to convince the ATS to send your application to the next level by copy-pasting keywords from the job description into your CV, this wouldn’t get you anywhere when a human reviews your application.
7. Don’t Just Design for Robots
Finally, it’s easy to get caught up with the complexity of keeping track of everything you need to do to make your CV technology-friendly. In some cases, you might get so focused on designing for the ATS that you forget about the importance of designing for people.
Ultimately, the ATS is just the first stage of the filtering process for applicants in most hiring and recruitment strategies. This means while you need to make your CV easy enough for the robots to leverage and read, you also need to ensure it’s suitable for humans and engaging to read.
Read through everything when you’re done editing and make sure the content still flows naturally through the page.
