FAQs About Applicant Tracking Software

Kathryn McCormack spent 5 years in Finance Campus Recruiting, focused on Investment Banking in New York. She now leads the manufacturing side of Niagara’s nationwide campus recruiting effort. In this blog, she will run through some commonly asked questions regarding Applicant Tracking Software, and dispel some myths about these recruiting tools along the way.

How does Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) impact my resume format?

Some systems parse the text from the resume you uploaded; which can impact the formatting when the recruiter looks at it. The best way to submit your resume is as a PDF document so the recruiter can view your resume in the intended format.

What are some important things to keep in mind when submitting my resume online?

Do:         

• Tailor your resume to each job you apply for (some jobs are very similar so you can use the same resume – use your best judgment) and include keywords used in the job description.
• When incorporating keywords from the job description, make sure you are using action-based examples where possible and are tying the keywords into your skillset authentically.
• Prioritize applying to jobs you meet the qualifications for. (Example: if a role requires a Chemical Engineering degree, they are likely not going to consider Mechanical Engineers.)
• Write out acronyms (Example: instead of SEO, write “search engine optimization (SEO)”.)
• Make sure your font and formatting is consistent throughout your resume and check your spelling and grammar.

Don't:

• Use false information or statements.
• Copy and paste keywords or the job description in white or small text.
• Use graphics or images in your resume.
• “Resume dump”: basically, don’t apply to every role at a company (even if you are qualified). Exercise your best judgment and evaluate how attractive each role is to you.

What other information is included in Applicant Tracking Software?

An ATS will often ask you to fill in information that can be found in your resume. While this does take more time, it is worth doing. Most filtering in an ATS is done not by the system, but rather by a recruiter looking for candidates that match the qualifications. Fill out graduation date, major, and the job experience sections as these are most likely to be used to filter candidates immediately. (Example: if you leave the major section blank because it is on your resume, a recruiter may filter by that category and miss your application.)

How long is my information stored and referenced in the database for other/future roles?

Most companies keep resumes in their system for several years. However, unless a recruiter has flagged your resume in their records, resumes are not likely to be referenced against future roles. It is always a good idea to apply to any new roles you are interested in and qualified for. If you have previously worked with a recruiter from that company, you can definitely reach out to express your interest and let them know you applied.

Are there any additional resume tips you have?

The number one piece of advice is that you should be focusing on being a strong candidate rather than trying to “beat the system.” You hear and read a lot about ATS filtering or “robots rejecting resumes.” In reality, your application is likely to be looked at by a human, who will notice any tricks or gimmicks.

It is absolutely fine to use a resume template found online, as long as you use your own content. On that note, the formatting matters very little if the content is not strong. A few ways to make sure your resume best showcases your skills and experience:

• For any work experience, focus on outcomes rather than actions (Example: “reduced waste by 15% monthly by re-designing the production job aid” v. “re-wrote job aids for production staff”)
• If you list relevant coursework, this should not be a list of every class you have taken! Go through and examine how what you learned in each class would be beneficial in the role you are applying to.
• Avoid lengthy bullet points and complicated language – you want the reviewer to be able to understand what you accomplished easily.

You will get a lot of advice (often conflicting) from many people, so when in doubt, always seek out a trusted source. That can be a recruiter you are working with, the career center, or a mentor in the industry. Ultimately, each company does things a little bit differently, but hopefully, the above guidance helps you navigate the world of job searching!

"The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do." - Unknown

Engineering Career Services is proud to partner with Niagara Bottling as part of the ECS Partner Program.