Applicant Tracking Systems – Friend or Foe?

Understanding the application tracking system (ATS) world can raise more questions than answers. Here are the questions Life Working® Resume experts hear most often.

Question: How do I know if a company uses applicant tracking system software?

Just about every company is using it. According to one study, 98.8% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software. In contrast, 66% of large companies and 35% of small organizations use ATS to screen applications and resumes, and this number continues to grow.

Question: What is an ATS-friendly resume?

An ATS-friendly resume is formatted so the ATS can easily import and read it. However, because there is no industry standard, we follow a few general guidelines. Using charts, graphs, or special formatting is okay, but the ATS will not pick up the information, so be sure to include wording about your accomplishments and results in another section. Use only keyboard characters (*, >, /, etc.) to separate information. Save and submit the file in .DOCX format.

Question: What should I do if I’m allowed to upload my resume or copy and paste it?

If you have a choice, upload an MS Word file of your ATS-friendly resume. Larger companies are likely using newer ATS software that will keep formatting intact. Copy and paste an ATS-friendly .DOCX or .TXT file into the application form for smaller companies.

Question: How do I know which keywords will be used in the ATS search?

You can often identify the keywords used by reviewing and analyzing the job posting and other job postings for similar roles. Also, check out skills and other qualifications in resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) and O*Net (www.onetonline.org).

Question: How Accurate is the ATS Software?

A study by Harvard Business Review showed that 88 percent of recruiters felt that the ATS overlooked qualified candidates because the wording on their resumes “did not match the exact criteria established by the job description.” For this reason, you’ll also want to connect with people at the company to have them submit your resume and put in a good word for you.  

Question: How does the length of the resume fit into this?

Resumes that will initially be screened through an ATS can be longer because the computer file generally doesn’t show pages, only characters. Some ATS software has character lengths — but you’ll generally only see that if the resume is copied and pasted into an online form. In those instances, it will list a character limit (for example, “Submissions are limited to 20,000 characters.”). But many systems have no limitations.

Question: How can I bypass the ATS?

Remember: People hire people. Ultimately, if you can get your resume to the hiring manager, recruiter, or company owner, directly, you don’t have to worry about making it out of the applicant tracking system to get an interview. Research shows that approximately 75 percent of jobs are never formally advertised or posted, and only about five percent of candidates are hired from job postings. So, focus on getting your resume to the right person to land an interview. It’s crucial to bypass the ATS if you don’t have the “perfect” qualifications, as outlined in the job posting.

As ATS experts, Life Working® Resume Writers know what works and what won’t make it through the elusive system. Let our experienced resume writers craft a resume filled with keywords that will get you noticed, initiate interviews, and put you on a path to land your next job. Why wait? Check out Life Working® career coaching services, resumes & writing services, and schedule your free consultation.