As a Career Advisor, I often encounter students who are puzzled about why they aren’t hearing back from companies after applying for jobs online. One key reason could be employers’ use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). So, let’s dive into what an ATS is, how it works, and why it’s important for your job search.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application that streamlines the recruitment and hiring processes and helps Recruiting Teams to manage job postings, applications, candidate information, and communications through a single platform. Essentially, an ATS is designed to make the hiring process more efficient and effective.
What Do Employers Use ATS For?
Many individuals think that ATS is just used for resumes, but in reality, there are several key functions of an ATS:
- Job Postings: Advertise job openings across multiple platforms easily.
- Applications: Collect and organize candidate applications.
- Candidate Information: Store and manage details of applicants.
- Communications: Handle all recruitment-related communication efficiently.
- Resume Parsing: Automatically extract relevant information from resumes.
- Automated Emails: Send out emails to candidates at different stages of the hiring process.
- Interview Scheduling: Coordinate interview times for candidates and hiring managers.
- Analytics: Gain insights into the recruitment process to make data-driven decisions.
Why is Understanding ATS Important for Job Seekers?
Many companies use ATS to filter and rank candidates before a human recruiter even sees the resumes. This means that your resume needs to be ATS-friendly to increase your chances of getting noticed. So how can you do that? Check out a few quick tips below to get started in the right direction:
Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords from the job description in your resume
Simple Formatting: Avoid complex formatting, graphics, and tables that might confuse the ATS
Clear Sections: Use standard headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”
Visualizing the ATS Process
How Does it Work When You Apply to a Job through an ATS?
You’ve applied for a job, and now you are in the waiting game. Here is what happens on the employer’s side when they evaluate your job materials using an ATS.
Step 1: All the job requirements are entered into the ATS by the employer. These requirements contain details like desired skills, position, experience, etc.
Step 2: Using these requirements, ATS prepares some kind of ideal profile that fulfills all the requirements of the company.
Step 3: As applicants or job-seekers submit their resumes, the ATS uses a process called resume parsing to extract relevant information from the resumes, such as contact details, work experience, skills, and other key data.
Step 4: The parsed data from resumes is stored in a centralized database within the ATS. This database is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to search and manage applicant’s data.
Step 5: ATS systems use algorithms to sort and filter applications based on specific criteria set by the employer.
- Criteria may include keywords, skills, education, and experience.
Step 6: ATS platforms provide reporting and analytics features to assess and optimize the recruitment process. These insights help organizations to make decisions, enhance their hiring strategies, and improve overall efficiency.
**The diagram above illustrates how an ATS processes applications, from job posting to candidate selection.
By understanding how an ATS works, you can tailor your resume to improve your chances of getting through the initial screening process. Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for the ATS to recognize your qualifications and match you with the job. I hope this blog post helps you navigate the world of Applicant Tracking Systems and enhances your job search strategy. For more information and resources regarding ATS, check out these links below.
