What Is ATS and What Can I Do About It?

Why is it that a 3-letter acronym can cause so much chaos for job-seekers? Mostly, because ATS can have a different definition depending on whom you talk to.

ATS can be regarded as the silver bullet to a great new job, or as a three-headed monster that eats résumés and keeps people jobless. Our idea of ATS is somewhere in-between. Let’s break it down:

ATS = Applicant Tracking Software (or Applicant Tracking Systems). On the most fundamental level, ATS are software programs that make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to organize the applications they receive for jobs.

There is a common misconception that ATS software is like a brick wall that keeps certain résumés out without considering their content - this is not true!

Using an ATS requires human input of some kind. A recruiter or hiring manager can deliberately search for certain keywords, or they can enter a job description for an ATS to automatically identify keywords. Once the ATS has its target keywords or terms, it can be used to screen submitted résumés.

You will not likely find small businesses using ATS technology. Generally, ATS is used by larger organizations who will receive hundreds or thousands of applications for a given job, and don’t have time to sift through them individually. ATS is also used by large job boards (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn Jobs, etc.).

So, yes, ATS can be intimidating if you don’t know how to manipulate it. The million-dollar question is: how can you use ATS to your advantage?

It’s true that many résumés do not “pass” through an ATS and make it to the top of the hiring manager’s pile. But there’s good news: you get out what you put in. The most important factor in whether you are considered for a job is the content on your résumé!

No matter what career path you’re on, there are skills, experience, and knowledge which are highly desirable to a hiring manager. In today’s highly technological age, it’s often technical or software skills which are valued the most.

If you like a DIY approach, we recommend searching job boards for jobs like the one you want. Find at least three, read the job descriptions carefully, and find some commonalities between them. Make a list, and try to incorporate those terms or phrases into your own résumé.

Of course, you do not want to misrepresent your skills! So if you are a junior digital marketing associate, you should not include 5 years of team leadership experience on your résumé just because it’s mentioned as a requirement for the job you want. Be realistic and honest.

The most effective way to identify and use the best content for your career path is to work with an experienced professional with knowledge in your field.

CareerPulse has a team of certified résumé writers who are very familiar with ATS optimization and will help you increase your ATS visibility, and ultimately make your job search faster and easier.

For more details about how CareerPulse can take your résumé to the next level, click the button below: