{"id":296,"date":"2022-03-18T11:14:59","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T11:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/?p=296"},"modified":"2024-05-16T07:11:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T07:11:38","slug":"applicant-tracking-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you believe that the first hurdle your resume might hit is the decision by a hiring manager to review or reject it, you absolutely need to read this post.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this day and age, over 90% of large companies and a great portion of smaller ones are turning to automatic applicant tracking system (ATS) as the first screening point for all incoming job applications. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ATS algorithms are configured by the HR to screen resumes and filter out those that aren\u2019t identified as a good match for the position. You may be surprised to learn, but<strong> <\/strong>up to <strong>70% of resumes fail to pass the ATS screen<\/strong> and therefore get rejected even before a human eye gets to see them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing this, you can understand why writing an <a href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/ats-friendly-resume\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4777\">ATS-friendly resume<\/a> is an important requirement that can make a huge difference in your job search.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/applicant-tracking-system.png\" alt=\"applicant tracking system\" class=\"wp-image-2721\" width=\"800\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/applicant-tracking-system.png 768w, https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/applicant-tracking-system-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/applicant-tracking-system-50x34.png 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e01c19c40a0\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #2c1e39;color:#2c1e39\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #2c1e39;color:#2c1e39\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e01c19c40a0\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#What_is_ATS_in_human_resources\" >What is ATS in human resources?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#Why_do_hiring_managers_use_ATS\" >Why do hiring managers use ATS?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#What_ATS_software_is_available\" >What ATS software is available?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#How_does_ATS_work\" >How does ATS work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#Are_ATS_tools_fail-proof\" >Are ATS tools fail-proof?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/applicant-tracking-system\/#How_to_beat_applicant_tracking_system\" >How to beat applicant tracking system?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_ATS_in_human_resources\"><\/span>What is ATS in human resources?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ATS, or an Applicant Tracking System, is an automated software tool that allows hiring teams to quickly screen hundreds or even thousands of job applications and identify the top candidates for a specific position. Although there are different brands and types of ATS tools, their general functionality is similar. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The HR enters the job requirements for each specific opening into the system, and the system checks resumes against those requirements, singling out the best matching applicants and filtering out those who are underqualified. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ATS software may also provide an interface for applicants to fill out job applications. It also sorts the applications based on candidate qualifications and stores them for review by hiring staff.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"builder-banner-top\">\n        <div class=\"builder-banner-top__title\">\n            You'll Never Find a Good Job\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"builder-banner-top__text\">\n            It\u2019s a job hunter\u2019s common fear, but we can help boost your chances!\n        <\/div>    \n        <a href=\"\/goapp\/new-resume\" class=\"builder-banner-top__a\">Click to use resume builder<\/a>\n    <\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_hiring_managers_use_ATS\"><\/span>Why do hiring managers use ATS?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a company posts a job ad, especially when it\u2019s a well-known company and the position is an attractive one, hundreds of resumes may start pouring in, which can easily overwhelm the hiring team. Out of those hundreds, many resumes may be sent in by people who are heavily underqualified, but who figured that they\u2019d give it a try anyway. If all of those resumes had to be reviewed by humans, it would take a really long time during which the best candidates would most likely accept alternative offers and would be happily starting new jobs elsewhere. For a company to be able to process incoming applications faster and stay competitive as an employer, using automatic applicant tracking systems is an absolute must.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_ATS_software_is_available\"><\/span>What ATS software is available?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to the ATS software options available to hiring teams today, one can easily get lost and confused. Since this post is not intended as a guide for HR professionals, but rather as advice to job seekers, we will just list the names of a few popular ATS software tools here. If an applicant wants to beat the ATS and make sure their resume gets to HR humans, getting familiar with how various ATS tools work is a good strategy. Here are some of the top tools used by HR today:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/factohr.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/factohr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">factoHR<\/a><\/li><li>Jobvite<\/li><li>iCIMS<\/li><li>Greenhouse<\/li><li>Taleo<\/li><li>SmartRecruiters<\/li><li>Workday<\/li><li>JazzHR<\/li><li>Lever<\/li><li>CATS<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_ATS_work\"><\/span>How does ATS work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you fill out a job application form on an employer\u2019s site or a job search website, you are dealing with an ATS. But that doesn\u2019t mean that sending in a regular resume as a pdf or Word file won\u2019t face screening by an ATS too. Automatic applicant tracking systems collect resumes, sort them based on various criteria, such as on how well they match job requirements, and store applications for review by hiring managers. Sometimes, resumes may get stored even after a position is closed, so that when the company needs to hire for some other role, they can sort through previously submitted applications first.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an applicant tracking system has algorithms that allow comparing resumes to job descriptions, then your resume will be scanned for specific keywords and key phrases present in the job requirements. Resumes are then ranked based on how well the applicant\u2019s skills and experience match the list of qualifications entered into the system for the job opening. After being created by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ATS, resume<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lists are then reviewed by HR staff and applicants are selected for further consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although ATS algorithms are quite complex, the essential rule of thumb is that the more keyword matches your resume has, the higher it is ranked by ATS, and the sooner it will be viewed by HR as a result. However, keep in mind that even though overstuffing your resume with keywords may get you ranked high by the ATS, it will be very obvious when an HR manager sees it. As a result, you will achieve the opposite effect and get your application blacklisted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_ATS_tools_fail-proof\"><\/span>Are ATS tools fail-proof?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As sophisticated as applicant tracking systems may be, they are not perfect. Here are some of the ways ATS may fail or undermine HR efforts:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a resume is not optimized for screening by automatic tools, ATS may not be able to assess it correctly. You may say it\u2019s the applicant\u2019s problem. But in fact it ends up being just as much of the employer\u2019s problem when the best candidates get filtered out just because the ATS could not identify them as such.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an ATS is set up to parse applicant information and automatically enter the required details into its own form, data may get distorted or important facts from a resume may get missed, which may eventually lead to good candidates being rejected.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;This, once again, stresses the importance of optimizing your resume for automatic screening by ATS.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_beat_applicant_tracking_system\"><\/span>How to beat applicant tracking system?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although there is no single recipe for getting past the initial net set up by ATS. You can use our tips to maximize your chances.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customize your resume to each job you apply for by using the keywords you find in the job description. Although the HR may enter alternative words and phrases into the system that helps them prevent rejecting qualified candidates. You may not be able to guess those words, so it\u2019s best to use those that you clearly see.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you write your college degree, professional certifications or other things that have an acronym form, use both the acronym and the full form. For instance, use both \u2018RN\u2019 and \u2018Registered Nurse\u2019. This will improve your chances of making sure the ATS identifies you as a good match.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a simple format when writing your resume. Multiple columns, tons of graphics, fancy fonts or other similar things you might use to make your resume look attractive are all no-no\u2019s if you want your resume to successfully pass the applicant tracking system check. Although ATS technologies are getting more advanced and \u201csmart\u201d these days, their capabilities are still limited. Therefore, it\u2019s best to take your creative cap off when you work on your resume. You can show off your creativity elsewhere, such as in your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-cover-letter\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #e88768;\">cover letter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (but even then, there are some rules to keep in mind).<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When listing your work experience and education, use standard section headlines, such as \u2018Work experience\u2019 as opposed to unconventional ones, such as \u2018Places I\u2019ve worked at\u2019, which ATS tools may not be able to recognize.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For best results, try to use chronological resume format if you can. This format is traditional and therefore is guaranteed to be read by all ATS systems.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applicant tracking systems range from classic and outdated to modern and highly intelligent. Therefore, to ensure that any ATS will be able to properly read, assess and rank your resume, you need to make it universal.&nbsp; If you follow the above guidelines, your resume\u2019s chances of passing through the ATS screen and getting on the hiring manager\u2019s desk will be at their best. And if you need help with writing an effective resume, see the tips in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-resume\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #e88768;\">this post<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n    <div class=\"builder-banner\">\n        <div class=\"builder-banner__title\">\n            Build your perfect resume in&nbsp;a&nbsp;snap\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"builder-banner__text\">\n            Use templates created by HR pros to make your resume and cover letter catch the recruiter's eye.\n        <\/div>    \n        <a href=\"\/goapp\/new-resume\" class=\"builder-banner__a\">Create your resume<\/a>\n    <\/div><div style='text-align:left' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you believe that the first hurdle your resume might hit is the decision by a hiring manager to review or reject it, you absolutely [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":""},"categories":[5,3],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"number_of_votes":1,"sum_votes":1,"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7073,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296\/revisions\/7073"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resumekit.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}