Application Tracking Systems: A Pragmatic View

According to a 2021 global study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, more than 90% of employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to initially filter out or rank candidates that require particular skillsets. As a general rule, you will find out that the larger the company the higher percentage will use applicant tracking systems as there will be a much higher volume of applicants that need to be assessed for a particular role. With that being said, it is benefical to understand some basic insights of how these systems work in order to facilitate your jobsearch efforts.

Understanding What An ATS Does

Applicant tracking systems are simply software tools that scans resumes for relevance (ideally to the job description). They rely on keywords (in your resume) to assess candidate suitability for the role you are applying. The problem is, many candidates do not know how to make a resume effective because they fail to include the most appropriate keywords for their industry and role they are applying. Consequently, they never (or hardly ever) make it past the screening stage to secure an interview.

Here is a simplified example of how an ATS works:

1. Upload your resume to a job application portal.
2. As the recruiter is narrowing down the applicants to a manageable level, keywords like "product manager" or "MBA" are entered that are contained within the job description.
3. When your resume is optimized for the keywords that the company is looking for, your resume will make the cut. Otherwise your resume may never get seen. Remember an ATS system is just a productivity tool (though sometimes the tool is not correctly utilized by the company and there is nothing you can do about this).

Formatting Tips (For Your Resume) For ATS Platforms

• It is preferable to use Microsoft Word instead of a PDF file to create your resume – you will get better results.
• Contact information should be the first item on your resume.
• Keep the format simple! Stick to a clean layout with standard fonts. Avoid tables, images and graphics that might confuse the system.
• Clearly label each section, using common words, like "Work Experience", "Education" and "Skills”.
• Be consistent with how you structure jobs. Each job should include the same information and be in the same order.
• Include start and end dates for every position.

Keyword Tips For Customizing Your Resume

• "Keywords" aren't SEO-Style buzzwords, they are the exact skills, tools, certifications and job titles that are critical to the role.
• Use the job description as your guide! You’ll find keywords included among the "qualifications" and "responsibilities". Select those that align with your knowledge and skills. Add these keywords to current and past positions on your resume.
• While it is more convenient to submit the same resume to multiple employers, generic resumes rarely perform well in an ATS. Instead, tweak your resume for each role by adjusting key areas to mirror the language (keywords) in the job posting.
• Pay attention to both hard and soft skills. While hard skills may carry more influence within the ATS, if you are applying to a role that requires leadership skills "soft skills" can have a substantial impact on your candidacy.

Pragmatic Insights About Applicant Tracking Systems

• Don't try to outsmart the system. You might be tempted to saturate your resume with every keyword, but ATS software has and will continue to improve and these tactics can backfire. Naturally integrate relevant keywords throughout your resume (assuming you actually possess the experience or skill referred to by the keyword).
• You will find with some opportunities there is a gap between what is on the job description and what the focus is on during the job search/interview process. There could be multiple reasons for this and can be a red flag as this shows a potential gap in communication or lack of communication when developing the job description.