How to Navigate Applicant Tracking Systems to Secure Employment
Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are databases that allow employers to sort, label and filter candidates by various criteria, which helps them streamline hiring processes. While helpful to employers, it's not always a joy for those applying. However, with the right tools, you can navigate these applicant training systems and secure employment.
If your last application was before joining the military, then an ATS is another civilian employment tool to learn. As a job seeker, optimize your application with skills and keywords that match job descriptions. There are various tools to help you do this, such as Jobscan, Jobalytics and SkillSyncer – which offers free one-year membership for students. These tools score your resume using keyword searches just like an ATS.
Lindsey Helm of Empower Employ said, "ATSs aren't the enemy. There isn't anything to beat. Simply put, you can make sure your resume is targeted and matches the job description. You can improve your odds of getting contacted by a recruiter or hiring manager this way."
You can mirror the job description's phrasing and translate your military skills into civilian-friendly words. Don't forget to include your collateral duties, classroom projects and experiential learning. A master resume tailored to each job you're applying for by focusing on the matching skills on your resume.
In Military.com's Reverse Resume Master Class, Jacey Eckhart calls this the "traffic light method," so when your resume gets to a person, they can read it on their phone at the traffic light. This makes the proper content easy to read and find. Use a checklist of skills at the top of your resume to make it easy for both an algorithm and a recruiter to find the necessary skills needed to fill the role.
More Tips to Master Applicant Tracking Systems
Avoid Templates and Formatting
While resumes can be fun and colorful, this is not the time to be overly creative. The algorithm set up by the company you're applying to may not read your resume correctly. Bullets may be lost in translation or removed entirely, making those disappear completely. Consider saving your resume as a PDF to freeze your page breaks and columns. Also, keep these formatting tips in mind.
Avoid headers and footers
Put your contact information in the actual document and not in the header
Minimize the use of bold or italics text
Bullets and lists may not retain their formatting
Prepare to Rewrite Your Employment History
It can seem tedious to input your employment history over and over, but it's part of the process. You don't have to include everything exactly the same way, and you can tailor each resume to the job description. This is also a great way to add some details or additional experience that may not be appropriate to every resume or application. Be sure to fulfill the required fields and as many optional ones as possible.
Don't Limit Yourself, Apply Anyway!
If the position you are applying for is beyond your current qualifications, it's not a waste of time to apply. Most people aren't looking for a new job so they can make a lateral move. If you wait until you meet 100% of the requirements, you may be waiting a long time. Also, be sure to notice what is required and what is preferred.
Learn more about the challenges facing transitioning veterans and how VVC can support them.