What’s an Applicant Tracking System (and How to Make It Love Your Resume)

Hey there, friend! Ever hit “submit” on a job application and feel like your resume just vanished into a black hole? You’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your resume is likely meeting an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) first, not a human. These systems are game-changers for companies, and understanding how they work can help you get your resume to the top of the pile. Let’s break down what an ATS is, why it matters, and three key tips to optimize your resume so you land more interviews.

What Is an Applicant Tracking System?

An ATS is software that companies use to manage the hiring process. It stores your application, resume, and other details, making it easier for recruiters to sort through candidates, check qualifications, and track progress. Here’s why they’re so common:

• Nearly all Fortune 500 companies, 70% of large businesses, and 20% of small-to-medium businesses use an ATS to filter resumes.

• 75% of recruiters rely on ATS software to streamline hiring.

• 94% of recruiters say their ATS improves their hiring process.

That said, not every company uses an ATS, some smaller startups still have recruiters manually review resumes. But to play it safe, you’ll want your resume to be ATS-friendly for any job you’re excited about.

What an ATS Doesn’t Do

Let’s bust a myth: ATS systems don’t automatically reject candidates. They’re organizational tools, not decision-making robots. Even the fanciest ATS is just there to help recruiters find qualified applicants faster. The real reason most applications get passed over? Companies get flooded with resumes and only plan to interview a small group of top candidates who seem like the best fit.

How Does an ATS Work?

When you submit your application, the ATS first checks for “knockout” questions - those yes-or-no queries designed to weed out candidates who don’t meet basic requirements. Think:

• Are you willing to relocate?

• Do you have a specific certification?

• Are you legally authorized to work in this country?

If you pass those, the ATS parses your resume, extracting key info like your skills, experience, and education. It organizes this data so recruiters can easily search and evaluate candidates. If you make it to the interview stage, the ATS helps track your progress through the hiring funnel.

Why Companies Love ATS Systems

Online applications are super easy to submit, just upload your resume, maybe a cover letter, and click “submit.” That convenience means job postings get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications. Recruiters don’t have time to read every single one, so ATS systems step in to save the day by organizing and filtering candidates efficiently.

3 Tips to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

Ready to make your resume an ATS magnet? Here are three practical tips to ensure it gets parsed correctly and catches a recruiter’s eye:

1. Nail the resume format.Fancy designs with graphs or tables might look cool, but they can confuse an ATS. Stick to a clean, chronological, or hybrid format with standard section labels (like “Work Experience” or “Education”). Use simple, readable fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Here’s a quick template:

   • Contact Info: Name, email, phone, address, social profiles, website

   • Resume Objective: Short paragraph or bullet points summarizing your strengths

   • Work Experience: Job titles, dates, companies, and bullet points of responsibilities/achievements

   • Education: Degrees and certifications (placement varies for new grads)

   • Skills/Interests: Job-relevant skills and conversation starters

   • Additional Info: References, volunteer work, awards, etc.

2. Sprinkle in the right keywords.Recruiters search for specific skills and qualifications listed in the job description. If the posting calls for “experience with Salesforce and CRM tools,” but your resume says “managed customer data,” the ATS (and recruiter) might miss your fit. Scan the job description for key phrases and mirror them in your resume where they apply. For example, if you used Python for data analysis, say “Proficient in Python for data analytics” to match the job’s language.

3. Test your resume before submitting.Want to be sure your resume is ATS-ready? Use a free tool like Jobscan to scan your resume against the job description. It’ll highlight any missing keywords or formatting issues, so you can tweak your resume to maximize your chances of getting past the ATS and into a recruiter’s hands.

Wrapping It Up

An Applicant Tracking System isn’t the enemy, it’s just a tool companies use to manage the hiring chaos. By formatting your resume cleanly, using job-specific keywords, and testing it with tools like Jobscan you can ensure your application stands out and makes it to the interview stage. You’ve got the skills; now let’s make sure the ATS (and recruiters) see them. Ready to level up your job search? Explore Career Katalyst’s free resources to craft a resume that wins more interviews. Go get that dream job,

you’re closer than you think!