Applicant Tracking Systems in 2024
There is a significant likelihood that an applicant tracking system has reviewed your resume if you applied for a job online in the recent past (ATS).
Companies are using these systems more frequently to handle job applications and choose which resumes to send to the hiring manager for review.
It is crucial to create a resume that has the best possibility of passing via an ATS because statistics indicate that 70% of resumes are rejected by an ATS and never reach the stage where they are read by a human.
We shall examine an ATS’s operation and utilization by employers in this post. In addition, we’ll cover some frequent errors to avoid as well as the best strategies for beating the ATS.
An ATS is what?
Employers scan resumes using an applicant tracking system (ATS), a piece of software, to determine which applicants are most fit for a given position. Some might order the candidates it evaluates based on how suitable they are.
The systems can also follow candidates throughout the hiring process and may hold resumes for a long time, allowing for the shortlisting of individuals who have previously applied for positions that match their qualifications and skills.
Some companies may utilize an ATS to scan candidates’ social media profiles in addition to their resumes.
There are many applicant tracking systems available, and most of them are programmable, allowing businesses to set them up to evaluate resumes by their requirements.
However, the capacity to perform keyword searches on resumes is the key component shared by all applicant tracking systems.
Why Do Businesses Use ATSs?
Employers utilize an ATS to speed up and improve the efficiency of their hiring procedure.
The ease with which candidates may now submit their resumes for jobs via online applications is wonderful news for job hunters, but it also means that larger organizations may receive hundreds of applications for a single opening. And a lot of these could end up being inappropriate.
An ATS can weed out all applicants who don’t fit the job description, allowing the hiring manager or human resources specialist to concentrate on interviewing the most qualified individuals.
Large firms were the first to employ the systems, and according to a Jobscan poll, more than 98% of Fortune 500 companies now use an ATS.
However, medium-sized organizations (those with more than 50 employees) are also starting to reap the rewards of an ATS.
Your resume will be checked by an ATS if you are required to apply for a job online. Additionally, it is prudent to anticipate that any medium- to large-sized organization where you are applying for a job will also be using an ATS.
How Do Candidate Monitoring Systems Operate?
An ATS searches a resume for key terms and phrases that fit the job description using a keyword tracker. An ATS can be programmed by a recruiter to conduct targeted searches based on the keywords necessary for a certain post.
For instance, if a company is hiring for an engineering position, an ATS may be used to weed out any resumes that do not contain the word “engineer.”
The employer will then be presented with the remaining resumes after an ATS has eliminated any inappropriate individuals.
A human will now review each of the highlighted resumes to compile their own shortlist.
Because most applicant tracking systems (ATS) operate by turning resumes into text-only documents before scanning them, formatting your resume properly is almost as crucial as using the appropriate keywords.
Top Tips for Beating the ATS In the following part, we’ll go into further depth on how to optimize your resume for an ATS.
Theoretically, legible, well-written resumes that are pertinent to the job description should pass the ATS. People who attempt to game the ATS are likely to be exposed because the algorithms are built to locate the best prospects (see the common mistakes section below).
But knowing how an ATS functions and what it looks for can give you an advantage because you can use this information to enhance and hone your CV.
We’ve compiled our best advice for writing an ATS-friendly résumé below:
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Do Keyword Research
Consider carefully the terms the ATS is likely to search for
The best place to start is with the job description. Take note of any key terms or phrases used to indicate the abilities, credentials, and work history the employer is seeking.
Make sure to incorporate these words in your resume because those that appear near the top or are stated more than once are probably important.
If the job description is vague, you can look at similar job listings or search for people who already work for the organization to find out how they characterize their jobs on social media.
And if you’re truly having trouble, online resources like Jobscan and Skillsyncer can be useful.
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Use appropriate keywords
When you have your list of keywords, resist the want to just start stuffing them anyplace to pass the ATS.
Keep in mind that, with any luck, a human will also read your resume, therefore keywords should only be used when necessary and should be connected to your own experience and qualifications.
Your resume’s talents section might assist you to mention specific keywords that might not otherwise fit.
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Only apply for positions that match your qualifications
Although it may seem obvious, if you have the required education and experience for a position, this will show, and the ATS should automatically recognize your ability.
If the work is not a good fit for you, including pertinent keywords will be significantly more difficult.
