What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is recruitment software that helps agencies and companies organize vast amounts of resumes. Before a human ever reads your CV, an ATS scans it for specific keywords, job titles, and experiences to determine if you are a "match" for the open role. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS.

The system acts as a database and a gatekeeper. When you apply through an online portal, your resume is likely being parsed by one of these systems. If it doesn't meet the criteria set by the employer, it might never be seen by a human recruiter.