Part 2 of 2: Applicant Tracking Systems
Recruiters are most interested in resumes that they receive early in a hiring assignment, so if you have posted your resume to a job board, there is value in refreshing it every 30 days or so to keep it in active consideration.
Employers as well as recruiters sometimes advertise for positions they have no intention of filling. They do this to build a candidate pool for difficult to fill positions. Employers may also go through the motions to meet compliance mandates when they have an internal candidate with an inside track.
You want to avoid using functional resumes because their format doesn’t work in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and recruiters don’t like them because they are used as a last resort by career changers, candidates lacking experience, job hoppers, etc.
When interviews are the goal, avoid generic information on your resume. There is a distinct advantage to being specific. Always read what you have written out loud to make sure everything makes sense. Since today’s jobs are more complex; your work must be understandable by a fairly well educated recruiter. If what you write lacks clarity, you will not be selected for an interview.
Ellie Vargo, MRW, CCMC
ev@noteworthyresume.com