An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is basically a software system companies use to streamline their hiring process. Instead of having recruiters read hundreds of resumes manually, the ATS proceeds through them quickly, filters out the best matches, and saves the recruiters a considerable amount of time.
An ATS friendly resume is not merely about making it pretty, but it is about the proper format and structure. A resume that is poorly formatted can be overlooked by an ATS even when you are the right fit for the company. That is why it is advisable to adopt templates that have been worked around an ATS system.
Why Employers Use ATS?
- Faster screening: It scans thousands of resumes within minutes.
- Keyword matching: It searches for words contained in your resume that are from the job description.
- Data storage: It stores resumes for use when the next job opens are advertised.
- Fairer: It focuses on skills and experience, reducing bias.
What Does an ATS Do?
- Reading and gathering contacts and job history.
- Comparing resumes with required skills.
- Filtering resumes that miss some key information.
- Ranking the candidates so that recruiters can focus on the best fit candidates.
That means your resume needs to be in accordance with the ATS rules. An ATS-friendly resume is literally ensuring that your application is not rejected straight away without being seen by a human recruiter.
