Highlight: Employers use applicant tracking systems to streamline hiring, so it’s essential to create an ATS-friendly resume to improve your chances of passing initial screening.
Table of contents:
- What is an applicant tracking system?
- Why do recruiters choose ATS?
- How does an ATS work?
- How to write CVs for Applicant Tracking Systems?
- FAQs on applicant tracking system
In today’s digital job market, millions of candidates search and apply for roles online. The basic steps look familiar:
- Research potential employers
- Register on job boards
- Create resumes and cover letters
- Submit applications
- Wait for a response
But finding the right role and securing an interview is more complex than it appears. As HR and recruitment technologies evolve, understanding how those systems work is increasingly important.
Interesting fact: Recruiters often spend just seconds scanning a resume, so making your application clear and relevant matters.
Before a human reviewer sees your application, many companies filter candidates using an applicant tracking system (ATS). Companies rely on ATS to reduce hiring risk and avoid costly bad hires, so candidates need to know how to present their resumes to pass ATS screening.
Industry data indicate widespread ATS adoption:
- About 55% of HR managers use an ATS or Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in recruitment.
- Another portion plan to implement such systems in the future.
- Only a minority have never considered using one.
While ATS saves time for recruiters, it raises the bar for applicants who must format and word their resumes to be ATS-friendly. Understanding what an ATS is and how it works is the first step to improving your chances.
What is an applicant tracking system?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that helps organizations collect, store, and evaluate job applications. It streamlines recruiting by handling large volumes of resumes and speeding up screening and shortlisting.
Key capabilities of ATS include:
- Interview scheduling
- Assessment creation and comparison
- Automated messaging and notifications
- Universal search across candidate data
- Customizable import and export of candidate information
Companies of all sizes can choose ATS options and deployment models that suit their hiring needs.
Why do recruiters choose ATS?
Recruiters use ATS to automate repetitive tasks such as sorting resumes and tracking applicant progress. This reduces administrative overhead and helps teams focus on higher-value recruiting activities.
ATS also standardizes screening, which can improve the consistency and quality of hires by ensuring candidates meet required criteria before advancing.
How does an ATS work?
An ATS captures resumes and stores them in a searchable database. Recruiters access this database to evaluate candidates for open roles. Resumes often remain stored so candidates can be considered for future positions.
Many systems parse resumes into structured profiles and score each applicant against a job description. For example, some platforms generate a relevance score that ranks candidates based on keyword matches and required qualifications.
How to write CVs for Applicant Tracking Systems?
Because some ATS parse resumes into digital profiles, poor formatting or missing keywords can cause important details to be lost. To improve your resume’s performance with ATS, follow these practical steps.
Step #1: Use job-specific keywords
ATS relies heavily on keywords to match resumes to job descriptions. Tailor your resume for each application by using the same terms and phrases found in the job posting to reflect your relevant skills and experience.
Step #2: Use standard section titles
Use common, descriptive headings such as “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” ATS uses these headers to locate and categorize information, so unconventional titles can cause important details to be missed.
Step #3: Keep your resume simple and readable
Avoid complex layouts, heavy graphics, tables, or unusual fonts that can confuse parsing algorithms. A clean, linear format helps the ATS and human reviewers read your resume accurately.
Step #4: Avoid grammatical and spelling errors
Typos and spelling mistakes can prevent an ATS from recognizing keywords or matching your credentials to the job. Proofread carefully or use a trusted editor before submitting.
Step #5: Include full titles and acronyms
Use both the full name and common abbreviation for certifications, degrees, and organizations (for example, “Master of Business Administration (MBA)”) so the ATS recognizes either form.
Step #6: Follow up with the employer
Automation doesn’t replace personal initiative. Follow up respectfully to express interest and reinforce your fit for the role—this can help your application stand out once it reaches a human reviewer.
With these straightforward adjustments, you can make your resume more ATS-friendly and increase the chances of moving forward in the hiring process.
FAQs on applicant tracking system
What is applicant tracking system software?
It is software that helps recruiters and employers manage hiring by collecting, organizing, and evaluating job applications.
What is the primary purpose of an applicant tracking system?
The primary purpose is to simplify and automate recruitment tasks so recruiters can efficiently identify qualified candidates from large applicant pools.
How does an applicant tracking system work in the recruitment process?
An ATS collects resumes into a database and parses application content into structured fields. Recruiters search and filter candidates from that database, so preparing an ATS-friendly resume increases your chances of being noticed.
What are the benefits of applicant tracking systems?
Common benefits include:
- Automating repetitive tasks
- Reducing time-to-hire
- Streamlining the hiring workflow
- Helping identify suitable candidates more efficiently
What are the common features of applicant tracking systems?
Typical ATS features include:
- Job posting distribution
- Team collaboration tools
- Social sharing capabilities
- Resume collection and sorting
- Interview scheduling
- Secure resume storage
By understanding ATS behavior and adapting your resume accordingly, you can increase the likelihood of advancing to interviews and landing the job you want.