What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
ATS is software that helps employers and HR professionals manage the hiring process. If you have ever applied through a job search portal such as Indeed or LinkedIn, you have dealt with an ATS. It allows an employer to search by the specific criteria they requested such as, degree, amount of experience, specific skills, etc. They can search resume components for this information, helping them to efficiently sort through large volumes of applications.
How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Impacting the Hiring Process:
The use of AI by employers in the screening process is new and evolving. AI-powered job screening tools and AI-enhanced Applicant Tracking Systems have been developed for use by employers to perform tasks like sourcing candidates, analyzing online profiles, scanning cover letters and resumes, communicating with candidates and scheduling interviews. When scanning cover letters and resumes, AI tools go beyond keyword matching to analyze nuance in language and context, recognizing a broader range of terms and descriptions as matches to employer criteria and can create summaries for hiring managers that describe a candidate’s best-fit capabilities and attributes for a position. AI can also assess, summarize, and rank candidates against each other in relation to skills, experience, education and tone of writing.
ATS and AI-powered hiring platforms make the process more efficient for employers and it’s important to consider how these systems may impact your job search.
Tips for Getting Noticed:
- Customize your Application by Using Keywords Wisely:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to each application by incorporating keywords from the job posting. You can get additional information about industry language from the company website and industry-related job postings.
- ATS systems can look for these terms to rank your application. However, AI can detect “keyword stuffing” (using too many keywords), so focus on using words from the posting that naturally describe your relevant skills and experiences.
- Choose the Right Format:
- Use a standard format (i.e., reverse chronological or hybrid), with simple fonts (e.g., sans serif or Times New Roman), and be cautious of templates as these can confuse ATS software.
- Avoid using headers and footers, graphics, tables, boarders, text boxes, and unusual symbols.
- Use bullet points for easy readability and ensure that bullet points are standard symbols.
- Save your resume with a file name that is useful to the recruiter, e.g., “YourName.Job.Posting.123.”
- Always defer to employer submission guidelines (e.g., file type and name, length, what to include).
- Show your Achievements:
- Highlight your accomplishments with specific outcomes. ATS and AI tools may prioritize measurable results, which also stand out to human reviewers.
- Be Mindful of Bias:
- AI algorithm design and historical data used to inform AI learning can sometimes unintentionally reinforce biases, potentially screening out qualified candidates based on factors like education, address, and gaps in employment.
- Ensure your resume emphasizes relevant skills and experiences, even if they’re from unconventional sources. If you have gaps, explain them briefly in your cover letter or account for the time on your resume. Focus on how you’ve maintained or enhanced your skills during these times. When listing your address, use only the city and province and if the role is in-person, use an address local to the company, or indicate that you are willing to relocate, including the name of the city in your documents.
- Stay Human-Centric:
- ATS and AI-powered systems automate repetitive tasks but do not replace the human touch. Real people still play a crucial role in assessing candidates’ potential, company cultural fit, and transferable skills. Rather than attempting to outsmart these tools, it’s more effective to apply for jobs that genuinely align with your skills, knowledge, and experience.
- Remember that a human might review your application, so keep your resume and cover letter engaging, clear, and reflective of your accomplishments, career goals, and unique story.
Just as AI is helping employers, it can help you to optimize your job search.
Visit Plan Your Career (https://alis.alberta.ca/plan-your-career/workplace-trends/artificial-intelligence-ai/how-to-use-ai-in-your-work-search/ ) to learn more.
References:
alis. (n.d.). How employers are using AI to make hiring decisions. Government of Alberta. https://alis.alberta.ca/plan-your-career/workplace-trends/artificial-intelligence-ai/how-employers-are-using-ai-to-make-hiring-decisions/
CBC News. (2023, January 27). Recruitment AI tools risk bias and ‘hidden workers’ missing out due to keywords. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/recruitment-ai-tools-risk-bias-hidden-workers-keywords-1.6718151