top of page
Glass Buildings

Subscribe to Our Blog (free resume creation tips and job search guidance each week):

Thanks for submitting!

7 Frequently Asked Questions About the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

At a recent career fair, we were asked a lot of questions about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Many job seekers wonder how the ATS impacts their ability to earn an interview. They wonder if it is preventing them from moving forward in the hiring process.


In this blog, we answer 7 commonly-asked questions to help job seekers understand the role the ATS plays in the hiring process.


  1. How Often are Applicant Tracking Systems Used by Companies?


At a recent ATS training class we attended, it was reported that 99% of all Fortune 500 companies, 70% of large companies, and 20% of small companies in the US use an ATS. So, depending on where you apply, your resume very well may be parsed by an ATS.


However, keep in mind that although the implementation of applicant tracking systems has transformed the hiring industry, human beings are still integral. They do the complex decision-making to determine which candidates should be called for an interview.


Some companies simply use an ATS to manage the recruiting and hiring process. In other words, the ATS simply stores the resumes. Others implement searching and filtering capabilities. Since each ATS has different features and functions, you as the job seeker won't know how the ATS is being used for your application.


Computer program code to illustrate an ATS

  1. Can I Opt Out of Having an ATS Review My Resume?


    In certain states, like California, you can choose to opt out of having your resume reviewed by AI. However, we do advise against it. This may cause a delay in your resume being evaluated, limiting your opportunity for consideration if there are a lot of other applications. In addition, a hiring manager that is sorting resumes with the applicant tracking system may miss out on the fact that yours is an excellent match.


  1. Did the ATS Reject My Resume?


    Did you get a fast rejection? It is possible that qualifier questions have knocked you out as a candidate. What is a qualifier question? It is a simple (often yes or no) question that immediately tells a hiring manager if you meet a necessary requirement for the position. For example, if the qualifier question asked if you have a Bachelor's degree and you answered no, you may be immediately rejected.

    Keep in mind that not all of the questions on the job application are qualifier questions. Some are just used to gather information about you as a candidate.


    Even if your resume is "rejected," it will still stay in the ATS database. A recruiter or hiring manager could potentially access your resume for a future opportunity.


  1. What is an ATS Passing Score?


    A hiring manager can set the passing score for the ATS, if they desire. In some cases, they may want to let a lot of resumes through. In that case, they will set it very low, such as 20%. Or, they may not set a scoring threshold at all.


    In other cases, a hiring manager may want to be more restrictive. This is common for companies that receive thousands of resumes for a job opening. They may set the passing score to 80%.


As a job seeker, you don't know what the ATS passing score is for a job opening. To increase your chances, you should tailor your resume to the job posting.



  1. If My Resume Isn't Formatted Properly, Will the ATS Reject It?


No, an ATS will not "reject" a resume that isn't formatted properly. It may struggle to parse the resume, but it will still bring in the document and store it within the ATS.


What does this mean for job seekers? If your resume has formatting issues, it may not appear within the ATS in the way it appeared when the you created it.


What are common formatting issues? Applicant tracking systems commonly struggle with columns, non-standard fonts, information in a header or footer, tables, and text boxes. Applicant tracking systems differ in what they can handle. As a job seeker, you likely don't know what ATS is being used or the capability of the system. Therefore, your best approach is to use a simple resume format written with a standard font, such as Calibri, Tahoma, Cambria, Helevetica, or Verdana.


  1. What File Format Is Best for the ATS?


    We always advise our clients to follow the directions on the job posting. So, if the posting indicates you should upload a Microsoft Word document, submit your resume as a Word document. If they specify PDF, do that.

If the job posting doesn't specify, it is generally safest to submit a Microsoft Word document. A PDF that was saved from a ATS-friendly document is also a reasonable option.



  1. Are Keywords Important for the Applicant Tracking System?


Yes!!! Keywords are crucial. Not only are they important for the ATS, they are also vital for the human being (HR or recruiter) reviewing your resume. Both will be looking for keywords to determine if you have the qualifications they are seeking.


An ATS may score your resume based on how many keywords are found, compared to the job description. Incorporating keywords will increase your ATS score.


Therefore, you should tailor your resume for each job posting you apply to. Consider updating your Skills section to ensure you have included keywords from the job posting.


A word of warning - we recently had a job seeker ask us about including "hidden text" within his resume to increase the number of keywords. His idea was to use white font to copy and paste the job posting. We highly recommend against this practice. Hiring managers have told us it is easy to spot, and then the resume is cast aside. The ATS may also flag a resume with hidden text, pointing it out to the recruiter or hiring manager. This will negatively impact your reputation, bringing your integrity into question.


Instead of trying to "trick" the ATS, it is best to tailor your resume with honesty and integrity. Show that you have the qualifications they are looking for!


Final Thoughts


Although the Applicant Tracking System may have a bad reputation among job seekers, it is a powerful tool that hiring managers and recruiters will continue to use moving forward. Your best bet is to educate yourself on what an ATS does and how it impacts your resume creation.


Partnering with a professional resume writer can also help alleviate any anxiety you have relating to the ATS. At Revision Resume, we are knowledgeable about Applicant Tracking Systems and how they impact resume creation. With our current training, we can advise you on changes you should make to your resume so the content is parsed properly. If you need a resume created, rest assured that we follow industry standards to ensure your resume is optimized for the ATS. Contact us at info@revisionresume.com to see how we can help you today!


Comments


Revision Resume Logo

What’s Next?  With the Right Resume, the Sky’s the Limit!
 

The challenge for most job applicants is crafting the right resume. 

Revision Resume is here to help offering the following writing services:

Resume critiques are also offered to those who have already created their own resume but would like a second set of eyes to check for errors and to ensure the document is up to modern standards!

With up-to-the-minute knowledge of the hiring industry, Revision Resume can make sure you are submitting the right resume!

In addition to our blog that is packed with useful information and tips, Revision Resume also offers a monthly newsletter and group educational programs. 

Finally, for the "do-it-yourselfer," we offer a checklist package that helps you ensure you haven't missed any vital details. 

 

To learn more, contact us.

bottom of page