"HR, recruiters and staffing agencies rely heavily on 'buzzwords' and algorithms. They don't care about reading between the lines to know the candidate" - Bridget Hyacinth recruitment consultant and social influencer.

With scarce jobs and overflow of candidates seeking for job positions, recruiters get thousands of applications for few job openings. No company has the capacity to manually check all those CVs by a human. They make use of Application Tracking Software in order streamline CVs of candidates they want. Being qualified or having first class / second class upper does not give you any comparative advantage at this time. Your CV needs to be certified by a recruitment software first.

What is ATS Software Looking For?

Keywords . Yes, you heard me right - keywords. In every job description, there are keywords the employers are looking for. This must be included in your CV for the ATS software to pick it. Some keywords may have to do with experience, education or certification. You must put it appropriately where it belongs. If the recruiter is looking for a React Developer, the keyword React Development must appear in your CV to pass the first hurdle of ATS software. Even if you have PhD in Web Development and 20 experience all written in your CV without mentioning the keyword, it is of no use.

Your CV Must Be Scannable By An ATS Software

The template you use and how you format your CV all matter on its success. All sections must be properly labelled - Objective, Experience, Education, Skills etc. Bold the titles. Some takeaways:

• Always use the same fonts for Section Titles and Contents
• Do not put pictures on your CV (it's not readable by ATS software)
• Do not use text- boxes
• A word document is preferred. If you think your CV will be analysed by a software, avoid PDF formats (Most ATS systems can properly parse PDFs - older ones may not)
• Always include keywords in your Objectives, Skills or Education.

Your Resume Objective

Do not make your objective generic or passive. Never write things like:

Highly motivated electrical engineer looking for employment in a challenging environment in a fast-paced company.

Be specific and include job title and company you are applying to on the objective:

Financial Accountant with 3+ years experience working in a leading commercial bank in Lagos with a proficient knowledge of Sage 50 Account Package. Seeking for an Account Manager position at XYZ corporation.


Your resume objective is your pitch. Most recruiters make decisions on CV within 9 seconds. So even if you pass the ATS hurdle, you must pitch you CV properly to get invited to interview. Don't keep your recruiter searching your CV for keywords!

Making these small changes may make a difference in you getting your dream job.

To get more detailed tips on writing a winning resume, you can read more here:

Source: NaijaNative Job Board

cc: lalasticlala , ishilove

All these HR trying to look smart in selection processes. They use flimsy excuses in disqualifying candidates. Age, key words, tailored CV and Bla Bla Bla.
I can master all these act and be presented as the best candidate for the job but still be incapable.
The best candidate don't appears too perfect or fully refined.

How about "u don't have connection"

if them go respond, them go respond.

I just saw something new, do you mean using pdf format is not advisable

As if u went there to verify/know the reason for the lack of response..... Oversabi

Funnily and ironic enough, the writer's applications might also be somewhere unresponded

OP will u keep shot ur mouth I work in guiness as an conveyor engineer without cv or result.

must I come to ur house and tell u all u need is connection

Swargu:
I just saw something new, do you mean using pdf format is not advisable

Don't mind him jare! Nigerian HR professionals give conflicting advice at times. some will say use pdf, others will say use word. From my experience so far, use the format recommended in vacancy post. if non is indicated, then use pdf

Create job, stop looking for job.

Op... there is never a perfect Job Application. If you send us your personal CV, someone will probably spot one or two errors, if not more than.

Thing is... Having a referral or insider takes you 50% closer. God factor completes it, or makes it up if you don’t have an inside man.

Unless, of course, aptitude tests are involved: which normally levels the playing field. Ultimately, we only get what God wants us to - perfect application or not.

You do realise the more generic the cv is the more it can be submitted to many organisations at a time.
So adding "3+ yrs looking to work in xyz engineering Ltd "will mean you have to make a new cv everytime

Without Cv I got my first job.. Leave all the trash.. Those who will still get the job will get the job

Nice one

Story story, it beyond software, these guys are inundated with thousands of mails, how are they going to sift through them? Plus these guys only want those with work experience so even if its a graduate trainee position which logically is meant for fresh graduate, only those with experience get contacted. Thats why they dont respond to many job applications.


Do you need a website or blog? I design fast and responsive websites at an affordable rate. Contact me via the email address on my profile, not Nairaland email o

when company need like 8 workers nd over 500 pple somit cv....meaningless post....let me go nd buy condom jor..

I will also add poor grammar. Many graduate these days can hardly string 2 or 3 sentences without grammatical error and poor punctuation.

This is how the most mediocre candidates get hired...

wetin be C.V for naija, just get correct Godfather even your interview questions go come with answers unlike other applicants

hemartins:
All these HR trying to look smart in selection processes. They use flimsy excuses in disqualifying candidates. Age, key words, tailored CV and Bla Bla Bla.
I can master all these act and be presented as the best candidate for the job but still be incapable.
The best candidate don't appears too perfect or fully refined.

Companies don't employ the best candidate, they employ a qualified candidate .

jazboy:

Companies don't employ the best candidate, they employ a qualified candidate .

GBAM!!!

AntiRiot:
I will also add poor grammar. Many graduate these days can hardly string 2 or 3 sentences without grammatical error and poor punctuation.

Nigerian graduates are not the problem

hemartins:
All these HR trying to look smart in selection processes. They use flimsy excuses in disqualifying candidates. Age, key words, tailored CV and Bla Bla Bla.
I can master all these act and be presented as the best candidate for the job but still be incapable.
The best candidate don't appears too perfect or fully refined.

it's not only the excuses that they use, but the need to follow what they "think is trending" I have heard all sorts of bunkum from our Nigerian HR

U need 3 pple. 5000 send in application. If u like tailor ur cv well. It doesnt guarantee jack

chrisbaxtian:



Don't mind him jare! Nigerian HR professionals give conflicting advice at times. some will say use pdf, others will say use word. From my experience so far, use the format recommended in vacancy post. if non is indicated, then use pdf

No sir... If non is specified, "Word" should be your first option.

DuBLINGreenb:
You do realise the more generic the cv is the more it can be submitted to many organisations at a time.
So adding "3+ yrs looking to work in xyz engineering Ltd "will mean you have to make a new cv everytime

It is advisable to have a new CV written for every new job.

corruption, and bad system, elements in the employment market....