How to Get Past 
Applicant Tracking Systems

When applying to mid or large-sized companies, keep in mind that 98% of Fortune 500 companies and many smaller businesses use an applicant tracking system to manage the flood of applications.  Applicant tracking systems are also known as "ATS."

The ATS is used to help hiring managers and company recruiters save time finding skilled and qualified prospects.  Also, they help the company reduce recruiting costs since companies like Google can receive between 2 and 3 million applications a year. To help you understand the seriousness of why you need to know how to get past the ATS, you should know this:  You have a higher probability that you will get into Harvard or Yale than you do getting hired from online application submissions alone.  Learn how to configure your resume to get past the applicant tracking system.  Then get your resume in front of a hiring manager and increase your chances of an interview.

Not all ATS platforms are the same.  Each has different strengths, weaknesses, and unique settings. There are hundreds of applicant tracking systems available. They range from free to millions of dollars. Workday, Oracle, Taleo, Jobvite, and Brassring are popular. Anytime you are applying online, even with job finder sites like Indeed or ZipRecruiter, the chances are high that your resume will face the scrutiny of an ATS. 

How Applicant Tracking Systems Work

First, understand what an ATS is and how it works.  Mainly, an ATS collects resumes and stores them in a database. Resumes are stored in a database before anyone reviews them.  This is the reason you can apply today and not hear anything about the application you submitted until later.

Once you submit an online application, the ATS scans your application and resume.  The ATS compares your resume submission to the recruiter's job settings.  The ATS then applies a matching score for your submission against the job requirements and ranks from the closest match to furthest match. Unfortunately, top candidates' applications can be rejected by the system before anyone sees it.

It is understandably frustrating for job seekers who don't know how to configure a resume to "beat the applicant tracking system." Sixty percent of job seekers report poor experiences, often due to applying for many jobs and hearing nothing back. I often hear "it is like there is a black hole." The truth is there is a virtual black hole.

Luckily, beating the applicant tracking system, through due diligence and good resume practices, can help you land that dream job you want.

Keyword Matching is Key

Since the ATS ranks your resume based on keywords and knock-out questions, it is a good idea to tailor each resume.  Do this by using the exact keywords and job title that is in the job description. Historically, applicant tracking systems have not been equipped to recognize alternative tenses or variations of keywords. (Due note this can change at any time and differs based on the complexity of the ATS.) However, because most do not recognize variations, this requires that you tailor your resume.  Be sure to use exact keywords based on the job description or job title for every job you apply for.

For example, if the hiring manager is looking for a project manager and they search for "project manager" the ATS will only find resumes which contain those specific keywords. Sadly, this means that resumes using keywords like "project management," "managed projects" or "project managed" will not show up in their search.  Or worse, the resumes will get automatically discarded before making it into the pool of viewable applicants.

Word of caution, getting past the ATS and cheating the system are two very different things. Adding keyword matches in a white font to rank higher in the ATS can be easily spotted by a hiring manager with a simple highlight of your resume. Cheating will look tacky and is sure to give the impression you are a cheater. You don't want your first and consequentially your last interaction with an employer to be as a cheater, do you?

Resume Formatting is Important

We often find ourselves trying to stand out by adding logos, pictures, and symbols but these embellishments make it harder for an ATS to scan your resume. Keep all those fancy items for the printed resume you bring with you on your interview. The best practice when creating a technical resume for online submission is to KISS:  Keep It, Super Simple. There are several suggestions below:

• Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.

• Include the basic heading sections like Professional Experience, Education, and Skills. Don't change the titles of the sections to something creative.

• Don't add an Objective section, instead add a Professional Summary section. Professional summaries are a great place to add keywords from the job description.

• Submit your resume in a Word doc format rather than PDF to make sure the ATS won't overlook or skim over sections.

• Left align your resume to prevent the ATS from parsing content incorrectly or out of order.

• It may seem obvious, but always use spell-check

• Make sure to include personal Information like name, phone number, and email on your resume.

Avoid Acronyms

Remember, applicant tracking systems are nothing more than coded software.  While a human may understand the meaning or intent of the acronym or professional jargon an ATS may incorrectly categorize them.  Ultimately resulting in a rejection of your resume.  Always spell out the abbreviation for companies and associations, products, brands, skills, or certifications followed by the shortened version in parenthesis to avoid any miscommunication or confusion.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M)

International Business Machines (IBM)

Applicant tracking systems are a crucial part of the hiring process for most companies. Job seekers who become familiar with how to beat the applicant tracking system will have the pleasure of outranking other applicants thus putting themselves in a better position to get interviews and job offers. Best of luck with your job search! 

Whether you're looking to switch careers or take the next step in your current career, our certified career coaches & strategists can help you explore a wide range of possibilities and learn how our training courses can help you reach your career goals. 

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