Technology has improved and streamlined every aspect of our lives. From helping us stay connected to people to helping job applicants keep track of their application status, we have come a far way. ATS, otherwise known as Applicant Tracking System, is a popular HR software responsible for processing many online job applications submitted.
If you are new to the whole online job scene, knowing about the basics of ATS can help you improve your resume and enhance your chances of scoring more interviews and eventual job prospects.
What is an Applicant Tracking System?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is an HR software that compiles and stores the database of all online job applicants. Reports suggest that around 99% of the MNCs and Fortune 500 companies use ATS to organize and communicate with their job applicants.
The primary objective of using ATS is to streamline the whole online job application procedure. With hiring managers getting hundreds and thousands of applications for a single opening, it becomes chaotic to handle everything manually. That is where ATS steps in.
How does the Applicant Tracking Systems work?
Almost every ATS software that the companies use requires the job applicants to answer a set of specific questions, also termed as "knockout questions." This helps narrow down the list of the applicants to the most potential ones.
Depending on the standard integrated answers to the knockout questions, the ATS will analyze the responses by the applicants and only push through the best ones and reject the remaining. In addition, every ATS software is also programmed to enable hiring managers to find suitable candidates based on the filtering options and the keywords.
What are the features of the Applicant Tracking System?
Not every ATS software is the same; however, 90% of the features run on the same principle. Let us discuss them here.
Resume parsing – This is the part of the software that checks through the submitted resume and sorts them in terms of structure information for easier accessibility of the hiring manager.
Resume storage – Even if you didn't make it through the first try, the chances are that the ATS will save your information and data for future job openings and correspondence.
Keyword search – Most of the ATS software applications are integrated with Boolean search, enabling the hiring managers to sift through the list of potential candidates using specific keywords.
Filters – This helps the HRs to have specific details of the candidates at the tip of their fingers, including their location, source of the application, etc.
Automated email customization – If the applications are rejected, ATS is programmed to send back automated emails to the individual candidates to let them know about the job application status.
How to Optimize your Resume according to ATS?
Online job applications are hassle-free, but they are highly competitive. Especially for renowned and more prominent companies, you might have to be up against thousands of applicants. So, how do you make your resume stand out to the ATS?
There are a few ATS-friendly elements and tricks that you need to know of. We have sorted them out for you down below.
Customize your resume to the job description
Long gone are the days where you could pass with a generalized resume. Companies are now looking for candidates that put in efforts to either personalize their online job application or customize the resume for individual job description. Focus on the headline on the resume, along with the working skills that you are highlighting.
Focus on keywords
Since ATS helps with the filtering process using keywords, try to include as many relevant ones as possible in your resume. Optimize the resume to include keywords that define your hard skills and your credibility for the job you are applying to.
Use Chronological resume format
A chronological resume format is one where you include chronological formatting to include your education and other relevant experience for those who aren't aware. This helps the hiring managers have a better idea of the applicant's experience.
Avoid tables, headers, and footers
Tables and columns disrupt the readability of your resume, so avoid putting them in. Also, you need to avoid putting essential information in the header and footer section of the resume since the ATS might show parsing errors for them. Also, save your file as a .docx file since that is a lot more compatible with varying ATS software.
How to Test your Resume's Credibility for the ATS?
Knowing the proper modes of resume optimization for ATS isn't enough. You need to test whether your final resume is good enough to stand against the software application? Following are some of the factors you need to be mindful of:
Keep keywords in check (but not too much)
While it is true that you need to mention some of the primary keywords more than once throughout the resume, the last thing you want to do is stuff the keywords unnecessarily. Remember that too many cooks spoil the broth. So, space out the keyword placement and include them a few times only.
Have a separate skills section
Since ATS can dissect your resume and filter things, including a skills section makes your resume a lot more identifiable. You can divide them into two sections of hard and soft skills and go from there.
Align with the job description
The game-changer with online job applications is to read through the job description thoroughly. Most of the time, you will find all the primary and functional keywords to add. Also, reading the job description makes it easier for you to optimize your resume according to the requirements.