Understanding the ATS Help the reader and the ATS software find the skills they’re looking for. What may seem obvious to you isn’t obvious to a computer or a person unfamiliar with your industry. If the job listing mentions Excel, for example, have it in at least one spot on your resume. But if it’s looking for “experience with spreadsheets,” use that exact wording too. Tailoring Your Resume for Success When applying for jobs, tailoring your resume is key! Each position is unique, and your...

It’s man versus machine when it comes to Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software. This is a program that searches your resume for keywords that match the job description. There are ways to game the system by packing your resume with the right words, but ultimately if you’re not qualified, it will come out in the application process. It’s always a good idea to make sure your language matches the job listing. Most of the time, key words are simply overlooked. There are a few tricks to making...

Interviewing takes practice. No matter how trivial the job might seem, take the interview. This is a great opportunity to try new things such as time of day, day of the week, outfit, different questions for the interviewer, different responses from you, and if you’re interviewing online, testing different backgrounds and lighting. Just going through the practice will help you for the next one with improved muscle memory (your brain is a muscle of sorts,) honing your skills, and creating new...