Candidate Resource Center

4 min read.

For job seekers, the process of applying can sometimes feel like screaming into the void — submitting one resume after another and only hearing crickets.A candidate can have a plethora of experience in commercial real estate, but if their resume isn’t passing through an applicant tracking system — whether because it’s formatted incorrectly or it’s missing key details from the job description — all of their efforts could be for naught.What Is The Applicant Tracking System?The applicant tracking system is a software designed to streamline the hiring process, enabling hiring managers to select qualified candidates and efficiently manage each stage of the hiring process. An ATS can assist with:Generating and distributing a job postingReviewing and filtering applications for the ones that meet the job posting criteriaAutomating communication with candidates on next stepsSelectLeaders Associate Director of Recruiting Katie Hart said that in CRE, a standout ATS-friendly resume highlights deal experience, asset types and market knowledge, using clear, industry-specific keywords. “As a candidate, you should make sure to use standardized formatting and job titles, quantify your impact and align your language with the job description’s skills and relevant qualifications,” Hart said.Candidates can visit SelectLeaders to create a profile, apply for CRE jobs and access resources on all things hiring.Read on for four modifications candidates can make to optimize their resume and improve their chances of getting through an ATS and in front of a hiring manager.1) Forgo Creative FeaturesUnique formatting, visuals and subheaders in your resume can seem like a good way to stand out. However, these features can end up detracting attention from the content. Having too many visuals may also make the resume unreadable by ATS.Jobscan suggests keeping the resume formatted on one column, with straightforward subheaders for each section — such as “skills”, “education” and “work experience,” with the latter laid out only in reverse chronological order or with the addition of a skills section. Jobscan advises against using headers and footers, as ATS may struggle with interpreting them.2) Let Keywords ShineWhen updating a resume that will be scanned by an ATS, it’s important to weave in keywords from the job description organically. According to Indeed, candidates should look out for keywords related to the role’s responsibilities and requirements.Hart said that in CRE, keywords will be specific to the field and job. For example, CRE analysts and associate candidates should highlight skills like financial modeling, underwriting and market analysis, using tools such as Excel, ARGUS, CoStar or Bloomberg. Resumes should reference experience with investors, developers, debt, equity, rent rolls and asset types like multifamily, industrial or office. “Including keywords like "investment analysis," "valuation" and "pro forma modeling" helps align with ATS filters and industry expectations,” Hart said, “Candidates should always highlight the size and scope of any portfolios or transactions they have overseen financially.”Candidates applying for asset management roles in particular need to highlight skills in financial analysis, portfolio oversight, business plan execution and cross-functional collaboration in their resumes, Hart said.“Proficiency in tools like ARGUS, Yardi and Excel, along with a clear understanding of market trends and asset strategies—especially across industrial, multifamily, office or retail assets—is essential,” she said.3) Get Specific With Work ExperienceAlongside keywords, ATS software looks for experience that starts with strong action verbs and shows a result. Swooped recommends that candidates support their accomplishments with concrete information such as “numbers, percentages and specific outcomes.” For a property management job, for example, instead of saying “increased tenant retention” as part of work experience, candidates can add the percentage by which tenant retention was increased.“If you're new to commercial real estate, focus on highlighting transferable skills like financial analysis, project management, and operational oversight,” Hart said. “Reframe your past experience using industry-relevant language and quantify your impact where possible. Use a brief summary to position your transition as intentional and aligned with your long-term career goals in CRE.”4) Choose The Right File TypeOnce your resume looks ready to submit for consideration, be sure to take the last step of checking the file format. While this may seem like an innocuous step, it can make the difference of whether or not the resume can pass through an ATS.Eval Community emphasizes the importance of following the instructions in the job posting on whether the hiring manager prefers a Word or PDF file. While a candidate may opt for a PDF to ensure that the resume’s format looks as intended, not all ATS systems can interpret a PDF. Alternatively, Word Documents can be readable with an ATS, but may not retain the intended formatting. CRE candidates going through the job application process can start their job hunt by creating a profile with SelectLeaders.