What is ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a powerful tool used by recruiters and hiring managers to streamline the hiring process. The software assists in collecting, sorting, scanning, and ranking the job applications for open positions, particularly helpful for companies inundated with job applications.

Initially designed for large corporations handling thousands of applications weekly, ATS software has become indispensable across various company sizes, including about 99% of Fortune 500 companies. The system not only saves time and resources but also helps maintain legal compliance by reducing potential hiring biases.

Understanding the Role of ATS in Modern Hiring

With the complexity of today’s hiring processes, ATS systems offer a practical solution for managing vast amounts of applications efficiently. These systems are crucial in helping companies focus on their core missions by automating the initial stages of recruitment. This automation is particularly beneficial in adhering to employment laws, preventing discrimination based on race, gender, age, or other characteristics.

How Does an ATS Work?

An ATS parses the content of a resume into categories and searches for specific, job-relevant keywords. This determines whether an application should progress to human recruiters. Essentially, the ATS helps filter out unqualified candidates, allowing recruiters to focus on those more likely to fit the job role. However, this also means that resumes not optimized for ATS may cause qualified candidates to be overlooked.