Are you tired of sending your CV into an electronic black hole, only to receive a generic rejection email? You're not alone. In today's digital age, applicant tracking systems (ATS) have become the norm for many companies when it comes to handling job applications.
An ATS is a software program designed to streamline and automate the hiring process by scanning and sorting through resumes and cover letters before they even reach human eyes. According to recent studies, 70% of big companies and 20% of medium-sized enterprises use ATS for their hiring processes (Sources: Jobscan, GoHire).
These tools have been around for some while. Since nowadays we face an AI revolution, it's absolutely natural to incorporate AI in ATS tools as well.
When you apply for a job online, the process typically begins with creating a profile on the company's job portal. Once your profile is set up, you'll upload your CV and other relevant documents. The ATS then extracts and analyzes keywords from your experience, qualifications, and education sections to determine if your application matches the requirements of the job description.
Keywords refer to specific terms or phrases that highlight your skills, achievements, and experiences as they relate to the job you're applying for. Think of them like a digital fingerprint that helps the ATS identify whether your application is relevant to the position.
It's important to get the right mixture of keywords in your CV so that you are matched with the job description.
The ATS compares the keywords extracted from your CV against those in the job description to determine if your application meets the requirements. This process allows companies to quickly and efficiently filter out unqualified candidates, reducing the time spent on manual screening by recruiters.
It is quite well known that recruiters often complain about receiving too many irrelevant CVs for the positions they are hiring for. As with other fields where AI tools are used, this definitely reduces the time for filtering the unwanted applications.
I do remember once in my youth when I got selected after the company rejected like 100 candidates. I felt proud and wonderful 😀
Once an applicant's profile has been analyzed, the ATS will rank them based on their relevance to the job description. The top-ranked applicants are then presented to human recruiters for further review and consideration.
After this, the process usually is defined depending on the company structure, needs and job requirements. You can expect another 1-2 rounds of interviews before landing an offer.
Companies use ATS for several reasons:
Be clear, real and concise in short terms. Also keep in mind the following practices:
In today's digital age, understanding how applicant tracking systems work is crucial for job seekers looking to increase their chances of getting hired. By learning about the ATS process and optimizing your application strategy, you can improve your visibility in the hiring pool and land your dream job.