What is an ATS resume and do I need one?
An Applicant Tracking System is software that scans and sorts applications before a person reads them. Most large employers, recruitment agencies and government departments use one. If your resume is built with text boxes, columns, graphics or a photo, the system may read it as gibberish and score it out before a human sees it.
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An ATS friendly resume is a Word document with plain structure, standard headings and no elements the parser cannot read. It looks less designed.
That is the point.
Where a resume is going straight to a person, such as a small business or a direct approach, a designed version reads better and carries more personality. Many applicants need both. The studio builds them as separate versions rather than compromising into one document that does neither job well.
What is included
Recent Projects
Some of the businesses we have worked with
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my resume have a photo?
Not for Australian applications going through an ATS or to a recruiter. Photos can cause parsing errors and introduce bias concerns. Where a designed resume is going directly to a small employer, a photo is optional and rarely decisive.
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How long should a resume be?
Two to three pages for most roles. Graduates can sit at two. Executive and government applications frequently run longer because selection criteria and detailed responsibilities need room.
Cutting a strong ten year career to one page loses the evidence that gets you shortlisted.
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Do you write selection criteria?
Yes. Selection criteria and Statements of Claims are treated as separate scope from the resume, because they take considerably longer. Send the position description and the criteria list with your enquiry.
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Will you make things up to strengthen my application?
No. Content is restructured, reworded and evidenced from what you supply. If a claim cannot be traced back to your notes or your existing resume, it does not go in. Being caught out at interview is a worse outcome than a modest resume.
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How long does it take to create my job application?
Most standard applications are completed within around 24 hours, depending how fast we gain your information etc.
Government, Executive, high quality applications are a minimum of 3 days depending how many documents are required and how fast we gain your information etc.