Cover letter template ats
Customize your cover letter to match ATS requirements. Start by tailoring it with keywords from the job description to ensure it passes through automated filters. Use specific industry terms and phrases that align with the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking.
Avoid generic phrases. Focus on your direct achievements and how they relate to the role. Use bullet points for key accomplishments, ensuring they stand out and align with the company’s needs. Keep the format clean, without excessive design elements, which might confuse the ATS.
Ensure your contact information is easy to locate and formatted properly. Include your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile, if relevant. Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri for easy readability. Keep your letter brief, ideally no longer than one page, while still conveying your qualifications effectively.
End your letter with a strong closing statement, reiterating your interest and inviting further discussion. This simple, yet strategic approach maximizes your chances of getting noticed by both the ATS and the hiring manager.
Here’s the corrected version, where each word is repeated no more than two to three times:
Keep the language clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary repetitions that can dilute your message. Limit the use of keywords to enhance readability and engagement. Structure your cover letter with a focus on skills, achievements, and how you can contribute to the company.
Follow these steps for improvement:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify key skills | Use relevant skills without redundancy |
| 2 | Showcase accomplishments | Illustrate your experience with clear examples |
| 3 | Express enthusiasm | Convey your excitement for the role |
Avoid repeating phrases, and instead use variations of your skills and experience to keep the content fresh. This will not only make your letter stand out but also increase its effectiveness in the ATS systems.
- Cover Letter Template for ATS
To optimize your cover letter for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), ensure it is structured with clarity and relevance. ATS software scans resumes and cover letters to find key phrases that match the job description. Use specific, job-related keywords to pass through the ATS filters smoothly.
Header and Introduction
Start with your name and contact information clearly at the top. Follow with a professional greeting, using the hiring manager’s name if available. In the introduction, mention the position you’re applying for and where you found the job listing.
Body Paragraphs
In the first body paragraph, briefly explain your most relevant experience, making sure to use specific job-related keywords. Link your skills and accomplishments directly to the job description. For the second paragraph, highlight additional qualifications and traits that make you a good fit for the role. Avoid overloading your letter with irrelevant details. Instead, focus on what the ATS and hiring manager will find most valuable.
Wrap up by reiterating your interest in the position and expressing a willingness to provide further details during an interview. Keep your language clear and professional, and ensure the letter is easy to read both for ATS and human readers.
Use a simple and clean structure. ATS systems are designed to parse straightforward text, so avoid complicated formatting like tables, columns, or graphics. Stick to a single column format and use clear section headings such as “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
1. Choose the Right File Format
ATS software reads plain text or standard file formats like .docx and .pdf. Always check the job description for specific format preferences. If not specified, .docx is the safest option.
2. Optimize Keywords
Use keywords from the job description, but don’t overstuff. ATS scans for exact matches, so ensure relevant skills, qualifications, and job titles are included naturally within the text.
- Match the exact terms used in the job description (e.g., “Project Manager” instead of “Project Lead”).
- Include both hard and soft skills listed in the job post.
- Don’t use abbreviations unless they are commonly known (e.g., “SEO” instead of “Search Engine Optimization”).
3. Use Standard Headings
ATS systems rely on standard headings to identify key sections of your letter. Use conventional terms like “Work Experience” instead of creative variations.
- Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
4. Avoid Complex Fonts and Symbols
Stick to basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. ATS software can struggle with unusual fonts, special characters, and symbols, which may cause important information to be missed.
5. Don’t Use Headers or Footers
ATS cannot always read information placed in headers or footers. Keep all important content within the body of the document.
Use Relevant Keywords: ATS systems scan for specific keywords relevant to the job description. Identify key skills, qualifications, and experience mentioned in the job posting and incorporate them into your cover letter. Make sure they fit naturally into the text to avoid overstuffing.
Simple Formatting: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and avoid using headers, footers, or text boxes. ATS may have difficulty reading unconventional formatting, so keep your cover letter clean and straightforward.
Customize for Each Job: Tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. Use the company’s name, mention the job title, and align your experience with the job requirements. This shows the ATS and hiring managers that you’re a good fit for the position.
Avoid Graphics and Images: ATS struggles with interpreting images, graphics, or logos. Stick to plain text to ensure your cover letter is properly read and processed.
Include Contact Information: Always include your name, phone number, email address, and location at the top of the cover letter. ATS needs to extract this data easily, so ensure it’s clear and in a standard format.
Use Standard Job Titles: If your previous role had a creative or non-traditional title, consider using the standard equivalent that ATS will recognize. For example, use “Sales Manager” instead of “Revenue Growth Specialist” if applicable to the job you’re applying for.
Write in Clear, Concise Language: ATS doesn’t interpret overly complex sentences well. Use direct language and short paragraphs to make it easy for the ATS to extract key information.
Avoid using unusual fonts that are not compatible with ATS. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Unreadable fonts can confuse the ATS, leading to misinterpretation of your content.
Don’t overload your resume with graphics or images. ATS systems can’t read pictures, so anything embedded as an image may not be parsed correctly, affecting how your qualifications are displayed.
Skip complex formatting like tables or columns. ATS often struggles to read information in these formats, which can cause your key skills and experience to be overlooked.
Refrain from using excessive keywords without context. While it’s important to use keywords relevant to the job, stuffing your resume with them can appear unnatural to the ATS and recruiters alike.
Keep contact details simple and placed at the top of the document. ATS may not recognize complex headers, so ensure your name, phone number, and email are easy to find and not in a header or footer.
Don’t forget to include a plain-text version. Some ATS platforms may struggle with fancy layouts, so providing a simple, clear version can prevent your resume from being lost or overlooked.
Avoid using uncommon abbreviations. ATS systems are designed to recognize standard abbreviations like “Mgr” for manager, but unfamiliar ones may not be picked up correctly. Always spell out terms when possible.
Focus on matching the job description with relevant keywords. Scan the job posting for terms and phrases that highlight required skills, experience, and qualifications. These keywords often include specific job titles, software, tools, and industry terminology. Incorporate them naturally into your cover letter to align with the ATS’s search criteria.
Customize your language. Use the exact wording from the job listing. ATS software looks for precise matches between the resume and cover letter, so swapping terms or using synonyms might lead to your cover letter being overlooked.
Prioritize job-related keywords. Identify the most important skills and responsibilities listed in the job description. Focus on including these in your cover letter, making sure they are relevant to your experience. This not only helps your letter pass ATS filters but also shows your suitability for the role.
Incorporate action verbs. ATS systems often scan for action-oriented keywords such as “managed,” “developed,” or “led.” These terms help highlight your accomplishments and responsibilities, making your application more attractive to both the ATS and hiring managers.
Optimize for both hard and soft skills. Hard skills such as technical knowledge and certifications should be balanced with soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership. Including both types of keywords can ensure that your cover letter is well-rounded and more likely to pass ATS screening.
Focus on aligning your skills and experiences with the specific job description. Identify keywords and phrases from the job posting and naturally incorporate them into your cover letter. These keywords help your letter pass through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) filters, improving your chances of being seen by a recruiter.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
Directly match your qualifications to the requirements listed in the job posting. If the employer is looking for specific skills, such as “project management” or “customer service experience,” make sure these appear in your cover letter. Show concrete examples of how you have successfully applied these skills in previous roles.
Customize the Tone and Content
Adjust your writing style to reflect the company’s culture. If the company values innovation and creativity, use a more dynamic tone. If it’s a more formal environment, maintain professionalism throughout. Tailoring your cover letter in this way ensures it resonates with both the ATS and the hiring manager.
Use clear and simple fonts like Arial or Calibri in 10-12 point size. Keep your letter well-spaced with proper margins to avoid clutter. This will help the ATS easily parse the text without confusion.
Organize your content using clear headings and bullet points. ATS systems recognize these elements and process the information more efficiently. Avoid unnecessary paragraphs and excessive text blocks; instead, aim for concise sections with relevant information.
Always include standard headings like “Skills,” “Experience,” and “Education.” These help ATS software to recognize and categorize your data, making it easier for recruiters to spot the key points.
Use keywords from the job listing. Incorporating the exact terms listed in the job description can increase the chances of your letter passing through the ATS without being flagged.
Avoid special characters, images, or any non-standard formatting that could confuse the ATS. Stick to text-based content to ensure your resume is readable by both the software and human recruiters.
Focus on clarity and precision. Use bullet points to break down key skills and qualifications, aligning them with the job description. Ensure your language matches that of the employer’s posting to increase the chances of passing ATS filters.
- Highlight relevant keywords: Carefully review the job description and integrate the specific terms and phrases into your cover letter. ATS scans for these keywords to match your qualifications with the role’s requirements.
- Customize for each application: Tailor your cover letter to the specific position. Generic templates can be flagged by ATS as irrelevant. Ensure your skills, experience, and education align with what the employer seeks.
- Use a simple format: Avoid complex formatting such as tables or text boxes. ATS systems can misinterpret these elements. Stick to a clean, easy-to-read structure.
- Quantify achievements: ATS often ranks candidates based on measurable results. Whenever possible, mention figures or data to demonstrate your success and contributions in previous roles.
- Keep it concise: ATS can struggle with lengthy paragraphs. Focus on short, direct sentences that quickly convey your most relevant qualifications.