How to overcome the black hole of applicant tracking systems | From Dorms to Desks Podcast | ep52

On this week’s episode of the From Dorms to Desks Podcast, we tackle the mystery of why your resume seems to vanish into a black hole after you apply for jobs online. That black hole has a name: the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. In this practical episode, we break down exactly what ATS software is and why it’s a critical gatekeeper for early-career job seekers, affecting whether a human ever even sees your application. You might be applying to jobs and wondering why you never hear back, even if you meet the qualifications; the software is often the reason.

An ATS is a powerful piece of software used by nearly all large employers and many smaller ones to manage the hiring process, from posting jobs to scheduling interviews. However, these systems do more than just track candidates; many now use artificial intelligence or algorithmic logic to evaluate resumes, deciding which ones rise to the top and which sink to the bottom. When you apply, the ATS parses your resume, extracting key data like job titles, skills, and education, and then compares them against the job posting requirements, often assigning you a score. Recruiters typically see the highest-ranked candidates first, and in high-volume roles, they may never even look at resumes buried at the bottom of the list. This means that if the ATS scores your resume poorly, you are effectively rejected by the software before a human ever has a chance to consider you, even if you don’t receive an explicit rejection email.

The impact of ATS goes beyond just individual job searches; its decision-making capabilities have even led to legal challenges, such as the Mobley v. Workday lawsuit. This case alleges that ATS platforms are functionally acting as staffing companies by making hiring decisions, raising questions about potential liability under anti-discrimination laws if their algorithms disproportionately disadvantage certain groups. The outcome of such cases could significantly reshape how these tools are designed and used, potentially even forcing greater transparency in their scoring algorithms.

While navigating these invisible filters can feel overwhelming, there are clear steps you can take to increase your chances of getting past the machine and into the human part of the hiring process. Always tailor your resume to each specific job description, incorporating the exact phrases and keywords used in the posting. Be sure to list your relevant skills, certifications, and job titles using language that matches what the ATS expects. It’s also crucial to avoid complex graphics, tables, or non-standard formatting that can confuse resume parsers. Finally, remember not to rely solely on online applications; whenever possible, try to secure a referral or reach out to someone within the company to help flag your application. By understanding how to “write a love letter to a robot” and ensure it doesn’t get deleted on sight, you can significantly improve your odds, because right now, if the software doesn’t like your resume, it effectively decides your fate.