What Is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?

You’ve just spent hours perfecting your resume. Your resume is an important tool in the job-hunting process. Why isn’t it getting responses?

If your resume isn’t getting any responses, it could be the ATS software rejecting it. When the ATS rejects your resume, there’s a high chance that a live person isn’t even looking at it.

If you want your resume to be seen by an actual human being, then you need to learn what ATS is. You also need to know some tips about how to tailor your resume so it’s got a lower chance of getting rejected by the ATS software. So, keep reading to answer these questions and more.

What Is ATS?

If you’re looking for a job, you may have had of ATS software, but what is it? Have you ever wondered: what does ATS mean or what does ATS stand for? ATS stands for “Applicant Tracking System.” Almost every employer uses ATS on resumes before hiring. This software is often used to screen candidates before hiring. So, what is ATS? According to Indeed,

“An applicant tracking system (ATS) is an HR software that employers often use during the recruitment and hiring process. This software collects, sorts, and ranks the resumes the company receives for open roles.”

5 Things You Need to Know About ATS

Here are five things you should know about ATS software:

1. It Isn’t Always Accurate

Most companies use ATS software because it is quick and requires less effort; however, the software isn’t perfect. According to Harvard Business Review,

“A large majority (88%) of employers agree, telling us that qualified high-skill candidates are vetted out of the process because they do not match the exact criteria established by the job description. That number rose to 94% in the case of middle-skill workers.”

This means qualified candidates get rejected because the keywords don’t precisely match what the ATS is looking for.

2. You Can Tailor Your Resume for ATS

This all might sound discouraging, but you can tailor your resume so that you’ve got a lower chance of getting rejected by the ATS software. Here are some tips:

Tailor your resume to each job description when you apply.

• Match the keywords in your resume with the ATS search keywords.
• Use both long-form and acronyms of words. An example would be on your resume, you should say Master of Business Administration (MBA). When you do this, it increases your searchability.
• Avoid the functional resume format. Instead, use chronological or hybrid.
• Use traditional fonts like Helvetica, Garamond, or Georgia.
• Don’t use headers or footers because this information can easily get lost or cause an error.
• Use standard resume section headings such as work experience. Don’t be creative with your headings.
• Save your file as a .docx if possible.

3. Why Employers Are Using ATS

You might be wondering why employers use ATS software. They use software because most job ads get hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. When employers are getting that many applications it is hard for one employee to go through that many applications.

So, they need the ATS software to narrow down the number of applications they look at. The automated system makes it simpler and can speed up the hiring process. Saving the employer time and money.

4. ATS Systems are Used Frequently

Resume optimization company, Jobscan

“…detected an ATS for 97.4 percent of Fortune 500 companies. That amounts to 487 companies out of 500.”

This means that a large number of employers rely on ATS software to find employees. Its popularity continues to grow, and it’s clear that ATS has been here for a long time.

5. Key features of ATS

Here are some of the key features of the ATS software:

• Resume Parsing. This is where the ATS system extracts specific data from your resume, such as contract information, work history, educational background, and skills.
• Advanced Search. With this feature, you can set specific filters for keywords, job titles, experience, education, and more.
• Candidate Sourcing. This ATS feature allows you to search for and reach out to candidates for open positions.
• Multi-channel candidate sourcing. This is where the ATS system searches for potential candidates through multiple channels such as employee referrals, social media, and job boards.
• Email Templates. Some ATS software offers email templates that you can use to correspond with candidates so that you can remain consistent.
• Schedule Interviews. The ATS system allows you to automate interviews, so you don’t have to worry about sending out reminders, rescheduling, or coordinating with multiple calendars.
• Real-Time Collaboration. Another feature is that is allows you to collaborate with people in different parts of the company to get involved in the candidate screening process.

Learn More About Resumes

Now that you know the ATS meaning, and you’ve learned about ATS. You’ve even read some resume tips to avoid rejection by the ATS software. Why don’t you also learn more about resumes? Resumes are an important part of the job process. Here are some articles that can help you learn more about Resumes:

Envato Elements Is Your Top Source for Resumes

Once you make it past an ATS, you’ll need an impressive-looking resume to impress the person you interview with. To save time, then try using a premium resume template from Envato.

These templates are good if you need to hand your resume to someone in person. Every template is created to look professional and impressive.

Find Resumes

If you don’t need a resume template, Envato Elements has more than just resume templates. Here are some digital assets that come with the Envato Elements subscription:

• fonts
• stock images
• audio
• presentation templates
• more

Once you subscribe to Envato Elements, you gain unlimited access to digital assets with unlimited downloads. This value is excellent for any digital creative.

Plus, Envato Elements now includes AI-assisted search so you can find exactly what you need even more quickly.

Tailor Your Resume Today!

Now that you know the ATS meaning, try using the knowledge you learned today to tailor your resume so that you don’t get rejected by the ATS software.

If you need an in-person resume, consider downloading a premium template. Downloading a premium template saves you time. All you need to do is put your information in the placeholders.

Give Elements a try and subscribe today!