If you’re navigating internship and job applications, you’ve probably gotten tons of mixed advice on “beating the ATS.” You’ve probably even seen dozens of TikTok creators sharing hacks on how to get your resume noticed. But what actually is an ATS?
I’ve worked in two different college career centers, and several of my closest friends and family are former recruiters, HR reps and career counselors. We all have different preferences for applicant profiles, but we can all agree that the ATS is elusive for most candidates.
ATS stands for “Applicant Tracking System.” In short, it’s a digital system that helps recruiters and hiring managers collect and manage job applications. On the applicant side, many offer accounts for you to view previous applications and check submission statuses. Some platforms will even include new hire onboarding, payroll and human resources features.
Workday, Glasshouse, ADP and SmartRecruiters are all popular ATS platforms. LinkedIn even has some ATS functionality in its jobs section!
Now that we understand what an ATS is, let’s debunk the myths surrounding it so you can stand out and land your dream opportunity.
Myth 1: ATS makes hiring decisions with AI.
While AI integration might support hiring managers, it’s yet to make hiring decisions. Instead, the ATS may score and rank candidates to help hiring managers review and process applications, especially for roles with hundreds or even thousands of applicants. If you get a quick rejection that feels automatic, it’s more likely due to one of the qualifying questions in the application form. For example, if they ask a question about years of experience with a specific technology platform and you answer “2,” but the filter is set to “4 or more,” you might get a faster disqualification.
Myth 2: I will get automatically rejected if I use the wrong word.
While the ATS has resume searching as a feature for hiring managers, it’s more like the search bar in your Google Drive than an automated Tinder filter. So yes, you should use essential keywords related to your skill set and the job description, but you won’t be rejected for using “managed” instead of “led.”
Myth 3: Graphics, colors and design elements will help me stand out.
Actually, a Canva resume might do more harm than good. Have you ever tried to copy and paste text off a heavily designed document and had it come out like a mess of text and formatting? It’ll pretty much show up like that. Your primary goal is conveying information about yourself, so your priority should be a clear and easy-to-read document. The standard varies by industry, though! If you’re applying for a creative position, you should make your resume an extension of your portfolio, but if you’re in the business world, stick to something more traditional.
Myth 4: I must write for the computer to pass an initial screen.
Even if you pass an initial “computer” screen, a human will still read your resume at some point. At that point, they probably won’t love reading a keyword salad. Instead, they’re looking for a clear story about who you are and what you have the potential to do. Your resume is your first introduction, so make it a strong one!
Myth 5: One perfect resume is all I need.
As we’ve already established, there’s no such thing as “beating” the ATS. More importantly, not every job listing will look for the same skills and experiences. The better option? Curate your resume to the job description. I recommend having a few versions of your resume pre-curated for the positions you’re applying for, or having a master resume with components you can mix and match.
Myth 6: The ATS is one thing, and it works the same at every company.
Every company has different hiring procedures, policies and technology, so its ATS will match! This step is also where networking comes into play. If you have a referral for a role, that’s incredible! Just be sure to ask the best way to apply; some companies require the referrer to submit on your behalf, some ask the applicant to list the referrer’s name and others allow the referrer to send a message after you apply.
Next Steps
You won’t succeed if your goal is to trick a machine. Instead, spend time and effort focusing on the human parts of the process– your distinct story and the connections you can form to lift yourself. What makes your background compelling? How are each of your experiences connected to your future goals? Once you set your narrative and bring it to life through your application, you’ll get interviews in no time.