ATS Optimization Scorecard

key Metrics of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

1. Keyword Matching:

Keyword Optimization
0%

ATS looks for keywords relevant to the job posting. Use exact keywords from the job description, especially in areas like experience, skills, and qualifications. Your resume should match 80%-90% of the keywords used in the job description.

  • DO's
  • Use Exact Keywords from the Job Description.

Example: If the job post mentions “Project Management,” include that exact term, instead of synonyms like “Project Coordination” or abbreviations like “PM”.

  • Use Job Title Keywords.

Example: If your title was “Sales Lead” and the job description says “Sales Manager, match your previous job title with the title in the job description.

  • Include Industry-Specific Jargons

Example: If the description asks for knowledge of “AGILE methodologies,” make sure that this industry-specific terminology is included in your resume.

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Overstuff Keywords

Example: ATS systems can penalize keyword stuffing like “SEO expert with SEO skills who manages SEO campaigns”.

  • Don’t Include Irrelevant Keywords

Example: Don’t Add  unrelated keywords like “JavaScript” if the job is for a Marketing Manager and doesn’t involve coding,” just to sound more qualified.

  • Don’t Forget to Customize for Each Job Application

Example: Don’t send the same resume to multiple job applications without tailoring the keywords. You may end up sending a Programmer’s qualification list to a Marketing vacancy which will not be helpful. 

2. Skills and Experience:

Matching Skills and Experience
0%

ATS systems prioritize skills listed in the job description and match them against the candidate’s resume. Also, ATS ranks candidates higher if they meet specific experience requirements such as the number of years in a certain role or industry. Therefore, Aim to match 70%-80% of the skills and experience required highlighting both hard and soft skills and the ones mentioned in the job description.

  • DO's
  • List Relevant Skills First

Prioritize skills that are specifically requested in the job description. Group them at the top of your skills section to increase visibility.

  • Highlight Technical & Industry Specific Skills

Include technical skills and industry-specific tools or software.
Example: Google Analytics, AutoCAD

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Include Skills You Don’t Have

Don’t add skills just to pass the ATS if you can’t back them up in an interview. Misrepresentation can lead to disqualification.

  • Don’t Copy the Entire list of skills from the Job Description

Don’t just copy & paste the job description into your CV. Instead, focus on how you meet each requirement.

3. Job Titles:

Relavency of Job Titles
0%

Resumes that match or closely resemble the job titles listed in the job posting may rank higher. Exact matches aren’t always required, but similar or comparable titles close to 70%-75% of what the job posting specifies should be used where possible.

  • DO's
  • Use Exact Titles from Job Description

Match your job title as closely as possible to the title in the job post if it accurately reflects your role. 

  • Standardize Titles if Possible

Use industry-standard titles
Example: if your title was “Customer’s Officer,” better to use “Customer Service Representative” for clarity.

  • Include Job Titles for Promotions

Show progression by listing each title you held within the same company.
Example: “Junior Analyst” followed by “Analyst” shows your career growth.

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Use Misleading Titles

Don’t exaggerate your job title to make it sound more senior if it doesn’t reflect your actual role. This can be problematic during interviews.

  • Avoid Overly Creative Titles

Don’t use creative project titles, that don’t clearly communicate your role.
Example: using ‘Wizard of Light Bulb Project’ instead of ‘Creative Director’ would be a drawback as ATS does not encourage these titles.

  • Avoid Long Descriptions in the Job Title Line

Don’t add extra information next to the job title. Keep additional details in the description or skills section.

4. Education and Certifications:

Educational Qualifications
0%

ATS will often filter out resumes that don’t meet specific education or certification requirements.
Required education and certifications must be met 100% if they are mandatory. For preferred qualifications, a match of 70% is sufficient.
Hence, Ensure that your educational background and any certifications are clearly listed and aligned with the job requirements.

  • DO's
  • List the Most Relevant Degrees and Certifications First.

prioritize degrees and certifications that are most relevant to the position. If the job requires a specific certification, list that first to grab attention.

  • Use Full Names of Degrees and Certifications

Use the complete names as ATS may not recognize abbreviations alone
Example: use ‘Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering’ instead of ‘BEng in SE’

  • Include Dates

Include graduation or certification dates if recent. This can help ATS identify the recency of your qualifications.

  • Mention In-Progress Degrees or Certifications

Indicate if a degree or certification is “In Progress” with an expected completion date. 

  • Specify Awarding Institution

Include the full name of the institution and its location to provide credibility and context for recruiters.

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Include Expired or Non-Verified Certifications

Don’t include certifications that don’t hold recognized value in your industry. Prioritize industry-standard certifications over non verified ones.

  • Avoid Overloading with Minor Courses

Don’t list every single course you’ve taken if there’s a lot. Stick to major courses or ones directly relevant to the job description to keep it concise.

  • Don’t Use Informal or Vague Language

Never use informal language / vague phrases like ‘Various Certifications.‘ Be specific about each credential.

5. Format and Structure:

Standard of Format and Structure
0%

Formatting and structure are essential, as ATSs can struggle with complex formats. A simple, ATS-friendly format is necessary to ensure the system can read and parse the document correctly. 100% compliance is necessary to ensure your resume is read correctly by the ATS. Avoid creative designs, tables, or columns that may confuse the system.

  • DO's
  • Use Standard Headings

ATS systems are trained to recognize these standard labels.
Example: use section headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills,” and “Certifications.” 

  • Use Reverse-Chronological Order

List your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent positions or degrees first.

  • Choose a Clean Layout with Clear Sections

Create distinct sections with headings, spaces, and clear separations to improve readability. A well-organized structure allows ATS to easily locate information.

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Use Fancy Graphics or Images

Don’t include graphics, logos, or images. ATS can’t interpret images and may reject CVs that include them

  • Avoid Tables, Text Boxes, and Columns

Don’t use tables, text boxes, or multi-column layouts, as many ATS systems have difficulty parsing these elements.

  • Avoid Long Paragraphs

Don’t use long paragraphs to describe roles or achievements. Keep descriptions concise and use bullet points to break down information.

  • Avoid Complex File Names

Don’t use a complex file name for your CV. Keep it simple and professional.
Example: “FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf.”

6. Location:

Standard of Format and Structure
0%

ATS may rank candidates based on location if the job requires someone local or in a specific area for on-site jobs. Therefore, matching around 60%-80% of this criterion is sufficient. If remote work is acceptable, location may be less critical.

  • DO's
  • Be Specific

If you are applying for a job in a specific city or region, mention that location. This shows your interest in the role and helps with regional filtering by ATS.

  • List Multiple Locations If Applicable

If you’re open to relocating, consider adding multiple locations where you can work for more opportunities.
Example: ‘Willing to relocate to [City/State]’.

  • DON'Ts
  • Avoid Including Full Addresses

Don’t provide your full address.
Example: street name and number. This can clutter your CV and isn’t necessary for ATS.

  • Don’t Use Abbreviations:

Avoid using abbreviations or non-standard terms
Example: using ‘NYC” instead of “New York City”‘ : ATS may not recognize that.

7. Job Tenure and Gaps:

Relavency of Job History
0%

ATS systems can sometimes flag resumes with frequent job changes or large employment gaps which might give a negative impression. So, address gaps in employment with explanations and emphasize stability where ever possible. Job stability and minimal unexplained gaps are preferable. Meeting 75% ensures that you have a stable work history, which is valued by employers.

  • DO's
  • Include Job Titles and Companies

Always include your job title and the name of the company along with the tenure dates to provide context for your employment history.

  • List Employment Dates Clearly

Use a standard format for dates, such as ” Start Month Year – End Month Year”
Example: Jan 2020 – Dec 2022.

  • Explain Gaps Briefly

If you have employment gaps, consider adding a brief explanation to alleviate potential concerns.
Example: “Travel,”/ “Further Education,”/ “Personal Projects”.

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Fabricate Tenure

Never misrepresent your employment dates or create fake job experiences. This can damage your credibility when identified.

  • Don’t Leave Gaps Unexplained

Avoid leaving significant gaps in your employment history without any explanation. This can raise red flags for employers.

  • Avoid Inconsistent Dates

Don’t list dates in different formats or leave out months. This can confuse ATS

8. Soft Skills and Achievements:

Level of achievements
0%

Some ATS systems also measure soft skills if mentioned in the job posting. So, better to quantify your achievements and include soft skills accordingly. While soft skills and achievements are important, they don’t carry as much weight as hard skills or experience. Including at least 60% of the soft skills mentioned in the job description shows cultural and interpersonal fit and could be an added advantage when being shortlisted. 

  • DO's
  • Identify Relevant Soft Skills

Choose soft skills that are relevant to the job description.
Example: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership.

  • Be Specific in Achievements

Clearly quantify your achievements with metrics.
Example: Increased team productivity by 25% through effective communication and collaboration.

  • Highlight Transferable Skills

If you’re changing industries or roles, emphasize transferable soft skills that apply across various contexts

  • DON'Ts
  • Don’t Use Vague Terms

Avoid generic phrases like ‘good communicator’ without supporting evidence. Be specific about how you’ve demonstrated that skill.

  • Don’t Include Irrelevant Achievements

Avoid mentioning achievements that do not relate to the job you’re applying for. Keep it relevant to the prospective employer’s needs.