When applying for jobs, you've probably heard about the applicant tracking system or the computer that will throw out your resume before getting to a real person. And almost everyone has tips on how to beat the system, but do you know what an applicant tracking system, or ATS, is?

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

The ATS works like any other database, which is helpful for so many reasons. Employers can sort, label and filter candidates by various criteria, which helps them streamline hiring processes.

Job seekers need to understand the hows and whys of the system itself. An applicant tracking system is a software system that gathers information about and tracks candidates through the recruiting and hiring process. What may feel like a black hole for your resume is a tool for recruiters and human resources professionals for more complex processes like candidate analysis and candidate matching from a talent community pool.

As Lindsey Helm of Empower Employ states, "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." 

If your last application was before joining the military, then an ATS is another civilian employment tool to learn. As a job seeker, ensure to optimize with skills and keywords that match job descriptions. There are various tools to help you do this, such as Jobscan, Jobalytics and SkillSyncer – which has a free one-year membership for students. These tools will score your resume using keyword searches just like an ATS. 

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. Start by writing a master resume and tailor it to each job you apply 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.

Additional Tips to Break Through Applicant Tracking Systems 

Use a Clean Format 

There are a variety of templates for visually appealing resumes. However, the algorithm may not read your resume correctly. Those key skills and targeted bullets may be lost when uploaded to their system and may not translate well in the ATS. 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 Your Employment History

It's frustrating to input your employment history when it's already on your resume, but it's part of the process. What you input doesn't have to be an exact copy and paste of your resume, but it should align with it. If you have relevant experience that's not listed not on your resume, this is a way to share it. Pay attention to the required fields compared to the optional ones, and take your time.

Apply Anyway

It's essential to apply for jobs, even if you don't meet all the qualifications. 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. Take a risk, look to the next level and apply for the job.

Take advantage of GGU's Career Programs resources to take the next step in your civilian career.