The year 2018 has seen the rise of the ‘beat the bots’ applicant tracking system or ATS hiring trend. Although the United States enjoys low unemployment rates, the match remains stiff. The race to get the best offers and the most number of interviews led job seekers to have false beliefs on the ATS. Hence, they keep a false sense of security that frustrates them when they fail.
Take a look at these statements. Tell which is true and false. In the end, you won’t only learn what ATS 2019 myths to debunk, but you can also turn your written resume into an ATS-ready copy. Let’s begin the game!
1. The applicant tracking system is a game of keywords.
The quest for top spot doesn’t just happen in Game of Thrones. It exists in job-hunting, too! However, instead of a clash of swords and spies, the battle for your dream job includes this secret weapon: using the right keywords in your written resume. As soldiers train in their chosen weapons, update also your resume with the right keywords each time you send it to battle. This practice makes sure you defeat your rivals and hurdle the big gates of the company you wish to conquer.
Think of the ATS as the dragon by the company’s gates. Tame the dragon to succeed. If you’re worthy, then go ahead and plunge your sword−your keyword-optimized resume−into its heart.
2. Once you have an ATS optimized resume, you’ll snag the job.
Daenerys Targayen had to go through great lengths before she became a Khaleesi and the Mother of Dragons. Likewise, as a job seeker, it’s no guarantee that if you know the anatomy of a killer resume to create a warpath, you’ll get the job you want.
3. Your journey doesn’t end when you get past the resume screening software.
While you can assume the ATS as the dragon in front of the gate, don’t forget about the knights standing guard, in this case, the hiring managers. Before you can get into the company, you must pass the test and the job interview. While it’s good to keep your weapons honed and your job interview skills sharpened, you must not forget to build alliances or networks. With this, your contacts inside the company can vouch for your good character and work ethic. As Workable.com states, “The oldest and still the best source of a high-quality candidate is through employee referral program.” Their recommendation will help hiring managers decide whether you’re right for the company.
Decoding the Truths and Lies in the Applicant Tracking System
With these statements, can you tell which are the two truths and the only lie? You guessed it right; the only lie is the second statement. While having an ATS-ready resume is important in today’s career battlefield, it takes a complete package to put yourself as the best person for the job. That’s why at Resume Professional Writers, we tell applicants to make their job application a holistic experience. Talk to our professional resume writers, and discuss a battle strategy on how to hone your resume. Do you want to impress the recruiter at once? Get a professionally-written cover letter. Do you want to cover your bases in getting that dream job? Boost your account and grow your network by hiring a LinkedIn profile writer. You can go beyond the extra mile and have the opening statement in your job interview prepared by career experts, as well!
“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” – Vince Lombardi
Sources: workable.com | upturn.org | theundercoverrecruiter.com | hireright.com
Photo by Oleg Magnifrom and bruce mars from Pexels
