What is ATS and how does it affect how successful my job application is

ATS, or an Applicant Tracking System, is a type of software used by companies and recruiters to speed up the hiring process through partial automation.  It helps them to manage large volumes of job applications by scanning, sorting and filtering CVs based on specific criteria such as keywords, skills and qualifications.

Understanding ATS and how it works can significantly impact the success of failure of your job application, as many companies rely on this software to filter out unqualified candidates before a human ever reviews the application.

How ATS Works
Initial Screening: When you submit a job application, the ATS scans your CV for relevant information based on the job description. It is programmed to look for keywords such as skills, job titles, education and qualifications that match the employer’s requirements.

Ranking and Sorting: The ATS ranks applicants based on how well their CVs match the job description. The higher your CV ranks, the more likely it is to be seen by a recruiter or hiring manager. Low-ranked CVs may not even make it to the next stage.

Data Parsing: ATS breaks down your CV into categories such as work experience, skills, and education and then matches those against predefined criteria. If your CV is not formatted in a way the system can easily read, it may misinterpret or overlook key information.

Keyword Matching: ATS software often includes filters to identify CVs that include specific keywords or phrases from the job description. For example, if the job requires experience with “Python programming,” but your CV doesn’t include that phrase (even if you have the experience), the ATS may not rank your CV highly.

Tips for Making Your CV ATS-Friendly
Use Job Description Keywords: Study the job description carefully and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into your CV.

Keep the Formatting Simple: To avoid falling foul of the ATS use standard fonts (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) and avoid images, borders, shading and graphics. Stick to simple section headers like “Work Experience” and “Education”.

Avoid Headers and Footers: Some ATS may have difficulty scanning information in the header or footer of a CV, so keep key information, like contact details, outside these areas.

Focus on Specific Skills: Tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills that the ATS is likely to search for. If you have multiple skill sets, ensure they are clearly listed in a skills section.

Use Standard Job Titles: Where possible, use standard or common job titles that relate to the job you are applying for. If your previous job titles were unconventional, consider tweaking them slightly to reflect more common terminology without misrepresenting your role.

Submit in the Right Format: While some ATS can handle PDFs, others prefer or require Word documents. Always check the job posting or company’s instructions to see if they have a preference.

Include a Skills Section: A dedicated section for skills is often beneficial because ATS systems can easily scan and identify key competencies.

Need to Know…..
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) plays a crucial role in the hiring process, especially for companies that receive a large number of applications.

By optimising your CV for ATS with relevant keywords, simple formatting and customised content for each job application, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and advancing to the interview stage. 
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For more information on how to get your CV up to scratch, contact [email protected]