Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are tools that employers use to scan and filter resumes. For an Archivist role, optimizing your resume for ATS is crucial because these systems look for specific keywords and can easily reject resumes with formatting issues or missing vital information. If your resume doesn't meet the criteria, it might not even reach the hiring manager.
To improve your chances, follow these best practices: use standard section titles like 'Work Experience', 'Education', and 'Skills'. Naturally include relevant keywords from Archivist job descriptions, such as 'digital archiving', 'metadata management', or 'preservation techniques'. Avoid complex formatting, like tables or images, that ATS might struggle to read. Stick to common, readable fonts, and save your file as a .docx or PDF without heavy design elements.
Be mindful of common mistakes. Don't use creative synonyms instead of the exact keywords from the job descriptions. Avoid relying on headers or footers that ATS might misinterpret. Lastly, make sure you include critical keywords related to skills, tools, or certifications relevant to the Archivist role.