EMPLOYER SOFTWARE

Why an employer may not see your resume—and what you can do

Many employers use software to collect applications and help recruiters find relevant candidates. The software is often called an applicant tracking system.

What the software does

It stores applications, reads resume text, and helps recruiters search or sort candidates. Each employer may configure its process differently. No honest tool can guarantee that a resume will pass or be selected.

Use the employer's language when it is true

If a posting says “project management” and that accurately describes your work, use that clear phrase instead of only an internal company term. Never add a skill, degree, title, or result you do not have.

Make important experience easy to find

Put the most relevant skills and accomplishments where a recruiter can see them quickly. Use simple headings, readable text, and normal bullet points. Complicated graphics and text inside images may be harder for some systems to read.

Answer application questions carefully

Some applications ask required questions about location, authorization, experience, or credentials. Read each one and answer accurately. A mismatch between the form and resume can create confusion.