What Is an Applicant Tracking System?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that employers use to manage the entire hiring process electronically. When you submit a resume online, it almost always passes through an ATS before reaching a human recruiter. These systems store, organize, and rank applications based on how well they match the job posting.
Over 97% of Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of mid-size employers rely on ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS.
How an ATS Works
- Collection -- The system receives your resume file and stores it in a database.
- Parsing -- It extracts your contact information, work history, education, and skills into structured data fields.
- Keyword matching -- The software compares your resume content against the job description to score relevance.
- Ranking -- Applications are sorted so recruiters see the highest-scoring candidates first.
Tips for Passing an ATS
- Use a clean format. Stick to standard section headings like "Work Experience" and "Education." Avoid tables, columns, headers/footers, and images that confuse parsers.
- Mirror keywords from the job posting. If the listing says "project management," use that exact phrase rather than a creative synonym.
- Submit as a .docx or PDF. Check the application instructions; most modern systems handle both, but .docx tends to parse more reliably.
- Avoid keyword stuffing. ATS algorithms and the recruiters who follow can detect unnatural repetition.
Common Mistakes
- Using creative resume templates with graphics, icons, or multi-column layouts that break parsing.
- Submitting a single generic resume for every application instead of tailoring keywords to each role.
- Placing critical information inside headers, footers, or text boxes where many ATS platforms cannot read it.
