Improving Job Chances: Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Tips

Okay, so you made the decision to look for a summer job, and you’ve narrowed down your list of the top 20 locations you want to apply to first. The only thing stopping you from an awesome discount and your paycheck is the whole application process. What you think would take you less than 20 minutes is now going on a full hour as you sit and scratch your head about what is specifically being asked of you.

Do you upload your resume? Do you copy and paste? Do you answer the information already on your resume? How do you know if you are using the correct wording? Do they really save your information on file? and so on and so on….

The Department of Career and Volunteer at OPI is here to give you a few tips to hopefully make the process of applying to jobs with an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) a little easier to navigate. We attended a round table discussion on ATS systems, and since the systems can be modified for individual users, the information we are providing is more generic and may not apply to all.

An Applicant Tracking System is a type of software application that is used for recruitment purposes to track job postings, applications, and keep resumes on file to name a few of the basic features. They identify specific criteria and wording and rank your resume based on this. When you think of tracking systems, picture some of the big job posting websites like Monster, Career Builder and Indeed.

When you submit an application, the tracking system creates a profile based on the information that HR deems most important, whicht could be anything from education to location. When completing an application and given the option to upload and/or cut and paste, we learned that you always want to upload a Word document specifically not a PDF. Most ATS systems can accurately obtain the information that they are looking for in this format, and if you choose to start pasting, the system may create a new profile. The problem this can create is that you will have two profiles, and if a system catches that you have two profiles for the same job description, it will kick you out. Your resume will only get to the HR if your profile passes the screening questions so in order to get to that point you will want to:

• match wording from the posting but in a way that makes contextual sense
• use reverse chronological format and left align
• use keyboard characters only, highlight headers with keyboard characters
• keep formatting simple, and don’t include columns or Excel charts
• keep your social media accounts clean as some ATS systems are so sophisticated that they can use Google searches to research you

HR and recruiters typically look at the top 10%-20% of profiles that match their needs; however, they set the percentage they want to look at. Those that are not a match will stay in the archival system for a time determined by the system operators and will be used again for new postings or to cross reference all the jobs applied to. Make sure your resumes are truthful!

Keep in mind that the top profiles include all the potential applicants which could be thousands for that one job so follow these tips to increase your chances.