If you have applied to jobs within the last decade, you probably know that there is no pairing of letters more frustrating than A,T,and S.
“It’s the bane of my existence…” joked Career Coach Alejandra Hernandez.
Now an integral part of hiring, the ATS—or Applicant Tracking System—creates an added layer of complexity when it comes to getting (and keeping) a recruiter’s attention.
This is likely not the first time you have heard of the ATS. However, it may be your first glimpse at what the system could look like on the backend.
We’re here to pull the curtain back on this elusive part of your job search.
While we can’t ensure that, with this information, you will “beat” the system every time (though we have tips for that), we hope that the extra context will help you understand what you’re up against the next time you hit submit on an application.
Below, we’ll dive into what the ATS is, what recruiters see on the backend, and what approaches are best for overcoming the obstacles presented by ATS-powered hiring. Check out our Tools and Resources page for more information on this topic.
Introduction
Before diving into the components of an ATS, it’s important to understand the role it plays in the hiring process.
WHAT IS AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM? (ATS)
In simple terms, an ATS is a database of applicants. Think of a digital filing cabinet where employers can store candidates, rank them, and search for them based on targeted criteria.
By utilizing this tool, recruiters and hiring departments can streamline their processes, making it much quicker and easier to identify qualified candidates. It’s great for:
- Selecting candidates that match job posting criteria
- Automating communications to candidates within a system
- Organizing and reviewing career materials and applications
Dating back to the late 1990s, applicant tracking systems were created to help employers systematize the hiring process and make informed decisions on quality candidates.
With efficiency still at its core today, the ATS has only gotten more sophisticated—some ATS companies have even started to incorporate or integrate other tools such as candidate relationship management (CRM) software.
According to Indeed, CRM tools are “software features and interfaces that enable hiring managers to communicate with potential job applicants, encourage them to apply, and track their interactions with members of the company throughout the entire recruitment process.” They’re great for:
- Maintaining communication with candidates and new hires
- Scheduling interviews with candidates
- Managing the offer and onboarding processes
When CRMs and ATSs work in tandem, hiring teams are able to do everything from posting jobs and syncing calendars to sending offer letters, all in one unified platform. Take Workable, for instance.
While platforms like Workable provide companies and hiring departments with valuable features to optimize the hiring process, automated hiring comes with its share of pitfalls. Continue reading to learn more about the implications for candidates in search of professional opportunities.
Challenges presented by an automated system
According to Jobscan, 98.8% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS. That’s a lot of automation.
Our career coaches agree. Over the years, they’ve observed a steady rise in the use of ATS technology and believe it won’t be going away anytime soon.
“What I am noticing—just from side conversations—is that, especially with all of those companies that let go of a lot of their folks, a lot of those recruiters got let go too,” Hernandez explains. “You have to think: there’s only one person for how many resumes that are coming in? So ATS is going nowhere.”
With so many companies relying on automation to fill roles, the likelihood of a human pulling your resume out of a pile remains low. This presents a unique challenge for candidates looking to stand out from the crowd.
Although ATS technology was created with a unified purpose in mind, it does not follow a “one-size-fits-all” model in application. In addition to your typical system-to-system variations, companies have the ability to customize their system, filter based on prioritized criteria, and organize applicants.
Because of this, when it comes to career materials, the goal for candidates is: fit the mold of what a position requires. Once you are able to make it past the automated system, you have a chance to show employers who you are and what sets you apart.
To prepare you for your next faceoff with an ATS and give you more perspective on how it affects your career, we have mocked up our own version below. This sample ATS should give you a better idea of what employers see on the backend, clarify different features and what they mean for your application, and teach you how to tailor your materials to reach the top of the pile.
A closer look at the ATS
You may be wondering which applicant tracking system our mockup is most identical to, and the reality is: it does not matter.
What is important is how each of these hypothetical candidates got ranked by the system.
To better illustrate that, we have created a sample resume for applicant Brad Osborne. In this sample, you will see where Brad made mistakes and where he was successful in customizing his resume for the job at stake.
Tips and action items to “beat” an ATS
Now that you have seen what an ATS could look like, you may find it advantageous to apply that insight to your job search. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Work with the system, not against it.
Formatting matters when it comes to an ATS. Although your graphic resume might have visual appeal, if an ATS can’t read it, it could get disqualified.
ATS software parses information based on heading keywords, but any text presented in text boxes, columns, and tables is often scrambled or omitted. Colored text and images can also cause the software to skip sections of information. Because of this, for any online submissions, the goal is a very straightforward format with strong content.
When a computer might be reading through your resume, it’s also essential to proofread. Employers can use an ATS to check for grammar and spelling issues, which may disqualify you for lack of attention to detail.
Check out our resume guide for more formatting tips.
- Keywords matter.
ATS systems will rate your resume based on how it matches up with the relevant job description. Make sure your resume reflects the exact keywords to optimize your score and get your materials in front of a recruiter. This is why it is important to tailor your resume for each role you apply for.
Watch our Winning Resumes workshop for more resume writing guidance.
- Knockout questions have that name for a reason.
Knockout questions are typically asked towards the beginning of an application and often require a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Despite their simplicity, your answers to these questions could instantaneously decide the fate of your application—which is why it is essential for you to check the basic criteria of a job before sending in that application.
Known to follow an assessment style of formatting, knockout questions can cover a variety of topics to ensure that you, the applicant, are qualified, willing, and able to perform key job functions. Keep your eye out for these questions on your next application and respond accordingly!
- If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
If you are not feeling confident about your resume’s ability to hold up against an automated system, we recommend that you use tools like Jobscan for review. Jobscan will take your resume and see how it compares to a job listing. If applicable, the system will gather feedback to make suggestions on how to make your materials more “ATS-friendly.”
- Spend your time wisely.
If your resume does not make it through an ATS, the likelihood that someone will read your cover letter is low.
When it comes to your career materials, it’s all about balance. Don’t speed through your resume and give all your attention to writing a unique and inspiring cover letter—there are other ways to let your career story shine.
To learn more about writing an effective cover letter, check out our guide.
