THE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM (ATS): HOW TO BEAT IT

Even the most qualified and well-written applications can slip under the radar if they fail to make it past the ATS. But if you can figure out what makes it tick, you can also figure out how to bypass it.

Job-hunting can feel like an uphill battle at times, let alone landing an interview opportunity. Some days, it can feel like you are just sending application after application into a bottomless pit with no response. Chances are, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is probably making the process harder for you. If your application has not been automatically rejected yet, then it might be confined to the bottom of the list, with recruiters unaware it is even there.

It is an unfortunate part of the process, and yet, the ATS remains a crucial tool for most employers, especially now that sending an application is just a simple click away. Without it, companies would be swamped with so many applications, and with no way to deal with all of them manually. As a result, most large companies deploy an ATS to help streamline their recruitment process, with some smaller firms following suit as well.

How it works

An ATS does more than just tracking applications and resumes – it works as a filter, too. By scoring and ranking them according to relevance, it then passes to a hiring manager or recruiter to look through.

But as much as it helps ease up the process, this technology does have its drawbacks. For one, an ATS may have a hard time processing synonyms accurately, especially if it is an older system. As a result, it can only spot exact matches, which can hurt even the most well-written resumes if they lack specific keywords.

But the good news is that bypassing the ATS is far from an impossible task, so long as you know how to match its requirements.

Optimising your resume

1. Format your Resume

A fancy resume template might seem like a great way to showcase your creativity, but that effort is more likely to hinder rather than help you. Ultimately, a design that is easy to read and utilises specific keywords will make your resume more ATS-friendly (and recruiterfriendly as well).

Font types such as Arial may seem too basic and boring to some. But the truth is that the ATS may have trouble processing fanciful fonts and images, so try to keep it simple. Keep to the standard resume template, and use common headings and keywordssuchas‘ProfessionalExperience’ and ‘Skills’, as the ATS may not be able to recognise unconventional headers.

Most ATS systems are able to process PDF files. Word documents, however, are usually processed the most accurately, so it is still best to stick to this format whenever possible.

Use relevant keywords and phrases

Before you get started on your application, be sure to read through the job description and responsibilities. Filter the keywords best suited to put in your resume, such as in your ‘Skills’ section. But be sure not to overdo it –be honest when describing your past experiences and skills.

Remember that the main goal is not only to make your resume ATS-friendly, but readable to hiring managers, too. If you have trouble at any point and want assistance, you can always speak to your Career Coaches.

3. Make sure to spell check

While this advice applies to any resume, this is especially important for the ATS. After all, while people can spot typos as they read, an ATS may be unable to do the same. As such, read through your resume and run it through a spell check for any errors.

You can also use this opportunity to get your Career Coaches to appraise it and give you feedback on how you can improve it. It sounds like a lot of work for just one document, but it will be well worth it when your resume successfully gets by the ATS and to a recruiter. So consider making an appointment with your Career Coach via GEMS.

4. Go around it if you can

Alternatively, if you can get to a recruiter or hiring manager directly, you can potentially skip the whole process altogether. After all, you do not need to worry about the ATS if you do not need to contend with it at all.

Do keep the company’s hiring processes in mind when applying, and attach a brief note or cover letter explaining why you would make a good fit for the job. In the meantime, focus on developing your network in the company – having an internal staff to vouch for you can greatly boost your odds to not only landing an interview, but potentially the job too!