What is An Applicant Tracking System?

If you've ever applied for a job online, or used an online form to apply for a job, you more than likely used an applicant tracking system. Understanding what an applicant tracking system is, what it does, and how to find what system an employer uses, can help increase your chances of getting an invitation to interview.

WHAT IS AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM (ATS)?

An applicant tracking system is the software that recruiters use to organize the amount of résumés they receive for a particular job posting. You can work with the ATS by creating a keyword-rich, format friendly, and targeted résumé.

WHAT DOES AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM DO?

 1. Ranks and Scores Résumés

Based off of the criteria that the recruiting is looking for from the job description, the ATS will gives résumés a score that will make it easier for recruiters to filter by low or high scores.

2. Searches for Matching Résumés

With the keyword search box, which is similar to a search engine like Google, the ATS filters through résumés and populates those that match the recruiter's search criteria.

3. Parses Résumés

The ATS will take text from attached résumés and creates its own digital profile that it then turns into data sets.

Applying for a job with a keyword-rich, format friendly, and targeted résumé, will ensure your résumé. makes it pass the applicant tracking system and into the hands of a recruiter eager to interview you.