ATS. It’s the latest buzzword making the rounds across the recruitment industry. While it’s a useful tool used to filter candidates before selection, many don’t understand how it works or what it’s used for.
What does it mean?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System and it’s commonly used by recruiters to filter a large pool of candidates for specific jobs.
How does it work?
Simply put, ATS is a programme used to compare a CV against set criteria i.e. experience level, industry knowledge, location etc. Your CV receives a ‘score’ or a rank based on how well it aligns with the job description and, based on the minimum threshold set by recruiters, will determine if it will continue through the selection process. Recruiters may include ‘knock out’ questions i.e. eligibility to work in the country, language proficiency etc. which will immediately dismiss your CV.
It’s not an AI platform, rather a way to automate the screening process.
How to improve your ATS score…
People often obsess over their score, hoping to achieve 90+% (which is very rare). To help improve your rank, you need to focus on the content of your CV. ATS looks for certain keywords (which are set by the recruiter) and the language used to assess your industry knowledge. By showcasing your achievements and aligning your duties with points from the description, you will increase your chances of passing.
Not all companies use ATS and your CV might be put in front of a person. In that case, even if you pass the ATS, you need to make sure it’s legible so that it can be scanned in 7 seconds.
Instead of focusing on ATS compliance, look at action-orientated CVs
The CV Writing industry doesn’t have a set standard and there’s no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ CV. If there was, everyone would be using the same template. An ATS compliant CV is essentially one that includes action-orientated language and keywords that align with the job or industry. An excellent CV Writer will be able to prepare a document that captures your personality, career aspirations and the VALUE you can bring to the company through transferrable skills.
What now?
Have a read through your CV and note any improvements you can make to showcase your strengths and achievements. Remember to focus on the content over the design and keep formatting consistent. It is very difficult to meet all the criteria on a description, so try not to worry too much about the ATS score. It’s a guide more than a definite call to an interview.