An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is software used by employers to manage the recruitment process. It helps automate the screening of resumes and applications by filtering candidates based on specific criteria, such as keywords, qualifications, and experience.
A common complaint I see from job searchers is that the ATS is out to get them or that the ATS is the reason they were rejected from the role. Is that true?
It’s true that ATS can filter and screen resumes such as filtering out a resume if it does not have relevant work experience or the right education. In most cases recruiters are reviewing resumes (albeit quickly), checking a candidate’s LinkedIn profile or considering other resources to learn about their background.
What Recruiters Have to Say About the ATS
According to actual recruiters, ATS is a digital file cabinet.
An ATS allows recruiters and hiring managers to keep track of applicants in the hiring process (hence the name). While keywords are important to include organically, having one specific keyword will not make a difference versus having the experience required with results attached to the experience. As Job Skills writes “Finally, it’s important to remember that while an ATS can help streamline the recruitment process, it doesn’t replace the human element entirely. Even if your resume passes the initial screening process, you still need to impress recruiters and hiring managers with your skills and experience during interviews in order to get hired.”