This month, I've been getting a lot of questions about Applicant Tracking Systems and keyword matching. So let me break this down! ​97% of Fortune 500 companies rely on an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to help them hire new employees. The purpose of this software system is to automate time-consuming tasks - like application screening and tracking - for talent teams and create a database of applicants for future opportunities. As a high-achieving professional, it’s important to understand what an ATS is and how to create your application in a way that makes it easy for the ATS to capture your information and match you to the right roles. Enter Keyword Matching. Keywords are crucial for a resume because they play a significant role in getting your resume noticed by both automated systems and human recruiters. Once your application is in their system, industry recruiters will search for applications that include keywords associated with the job they’re hiring for. Then they pull a shortlist of candidates to review and book for an interview. For example, if they’re looking for a programmer who can code in C++, then having this skill on your resume is important so that your application will get noticed on an initial screen of the ATS database. So having the right keywords on your application can be the difference between getting shortlisted or not. As with any part of the application process, there are a few “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to identifying and integrating keywords into your application. Here are my top recommendations (and ChatGPT prompts) to help you prepare an ATS friendly application.Questions along the way? Reply to this email and I (or my team) would be happy to help. 1. Analyze the Job Description Carefully
ChatGPT Prompt “Summarize the top 10 hard skills and the top 10 soft skills required to be successful in this role [Paste Job Posting]” 2. Incorporate Keywords Naturally
ChatGPT Prompt “What are the top 15 skills-based keywords to include in this resume? [Paste Job Posting]” 3. Optimize Key Sections
4. Use Industry-Specific Language
5. Research Similar Job Listings
6. Use Action Verbs Alongside Keywords
7. Tailor for Each Application
8. Leverage Your LinkedIn Profile
9. Use Synonyms and Variants
10. Review with ATS-Scanning Tools
By strategically adding keywords to your resume and tailoring them to the specific job you're applying for, you'll improve your chances of passing both ATS systems and impressing recruiters. Ready to fast-track your job search? Next month, I’m introducing The Resume Revamp - a comprehensive, step-by-step program designed to help high-achieving professionals land interviews in half the time. You’ll learn exactly how to write a standout resume that commands attention and converts into real opportunities with hiring managers at your dream companies. “The Resume Revamp gave me the structure to showcase my achievements and the confidence to press send on new applications, knowing that I’d get a call back (and I did!). Beckie’s step-by-step instructions were so helpful!” - Todd A. ​Want in on the early bird pricing? ​Click HERE to sign up for the waitlist. You’ll be the first to hear when the doors open and get access to several special bonuses. Can’t wait to see you inside! ​ |
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Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. At 10:42pm, Sarah was still scrolling LinkedIn, tabs multiplying, resume open in one window, half a cover letter drafted in another. She told herself she was being productive. But she wasn’t. (Can you relate? I know I can!) Because...
Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. Let’s talk about something I see all the time: smart, capable professionals getting stuck in a reactive job search loop. It usually starts with frustration. Maybe your boss isn’t supportive. Maybe you’re bored or underpaid. So you...
Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions. I spoke to a client this week - let’s call him Dan. Dan trained as a product manager, built a solid career over the last seven years, and was known for delivering. But now, he’s hit a wall. He told me, “I can’t imagine doing this for...