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Digital resume submissions are both a boon and a bane for internship applicants. While applying for an internship is as easy as hitting the ‘submit' button, it also means that there is an increase in the number of competitive candidates. And as a result, the chances of actually getting hired becomes drastically lower.
Meanwhile, plenty of companies have also invested in systems that can help them dig through internship resumes. Because of the massive amount of applications companies receive every year, it has become impossible for hiring managers to review each one of them.
And so a lot of companies have installed a specific type of software called Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS. In a nutshell, they are designed to hunt down resumes that pass the company's particular qualifications.
Today, it's not just about writing a stellar internship resume that can help you land a job. It's about learning how to outsmart the computer system into thinking that you are The One.
But how can one do this without any knowledge of how the system works? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Below are some tips that could help your internship resume stand out and shine - even the computer will be convinced.
Study the Job Description
Job adverts are an explicit list of things a company is looking for in an intern. Sadly, most applicants treat this as a mere checklist to see whether or not they fit the job. But did you know that you can also use these bits and pieces of information to your advantage? Chances are, the listed information on the job advert also serves as keywords for the Applicant Tracking System.
Use Relevant Keywords
After reviewing the job ad, choose some of the top requirements and add them to your internship resume. Just make sure that they are accurate and that they apply to you. The Applicant Tracking System judges the quality of your resume by checking if it contains valuable keywords. If you are a match with the computer's data, your chances of getting that internship can become a lot higher.
Include the Dates
Most applying interns forget to include the dates of their employment history in their resume. Unsurprisingly, the Applicant Tracking System can also measure the number of years you've been employed. If you have a significant length of experience, try adding the exact dates so that the computer can quickly scan your information.
Keep It Simple
Unless you are applying for an internship at an art or design related company, opt for a clean and straightforward resume design. Although a resume with fancy and ornate decorations can genuinely amplify your creativity, the computer will find it difficult to process your data. Keep things simple and legible for the Applicant Tracking System to scan your information. After all, what truly matters is what is written on your internship resume.
Additional Tip
Although digital resume submissions make the whole application process more manageable, do not forget to use your networks too. Just because the computer doesn't pick up your internship resume, doesn't mean that there is no chance of getting that internship. After all, human connection is still has a lot more value than processed data.