It is no secret to say that the way in which we apply for jobs has fundamentally shifted since the introduction of AI systems to HR and hiring departments.

Gone are the days in which you have to attend just the right university club to meet your “in” for the next big thing. The same goes for applying for jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter and so many more. The fact is, that the volume of applications a job-hungry candidate is sending out to the universe, no longer means anything if you don’t have a fundamental understanding of how AI systems within companies are leveraging tech to screen potential candidates.

Today, let’s dive into the ins and outs of dark underbelly of the modern hiring process. And more importantly- how you can leverage AI tools to your advantage, to work smarter and not harder.

As always, stay tuned for our blog posts! At Coursiv, we are dedicated to bringing you the latest information and hottest trends on all things AI, tech development and how you can upskill in a schedule that fits you!

The old news. Hopefully, you know the old drill when it comes to job hunting in the modern day. You spend hours scouring the internet. You make a list of your top 20-50 target companies that would give you that dream job. Then you spend hours making that perfect resume template, no longer than one page, including your career highlights, notable achievements, certifications and education spotlights. All the while following the correct resume formatting that is.

Next, you make a short list from the 20-50 companies you’ve selected. And you scour their key channels- their website, their job portals, their LinkedIn and their socials. You note key history about the company. Their mission and vision statements, their positioning in the market, their key figures, products and departments. In other words- you have to do your homework and you have to do it well. Next, you tailor your resume to fit the tone of voice and keywords from the job posting. You spend hours stalking down relevant employees who are willing to connect with you for a chat to walk you through the lingo of the company and tips for applications. And then, just when that miraculous job opening opens up- you apply….and get rejected.

Its not that you’re doing the wrong steps. The truth is that the methodology toward job applications has changed in a way that eases the strain on a company’s hiring department who are more often than not, overwhelmed with application volume. This is where key AI systems come in to help companies and help you land your dream job. Let’s dive into how this works what you need to know.

ATS systems. ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a software application that enables the electronic handling of recruitment and hiring processes. The software can be customized to the unique needs of a company to screen for the most capable candidates. It helps integrate the right critical data on the right channels to find specific candidates, address critical challenges and even become enriched with AI and machine learning to create a profile of an ideal candidate, assess and identify skills, and predict success factors to maximize each hire. In a recent study, nearly 99% of all Fortune 500 companies use ATS platforms on a regular basis. 70% of large companies currently use an ATS, and 20% of SME’s employ ATS in their hiring process.

Some of the top platforms used by in-house and agency recruiters include:

• Workday.
• Taleo.
• Success Factors.
• Bullhorn
• LiveHire.
• Springboard.
• Greenhouse.
• Tribepad.

Some ATS systems have the capability to ‘score’ a candidate’s CV and give it a % match to the job advert/ description/ keywords added to the recruiter. This makes the use of keywords from websites and job postings crucial as some ATS can act as a long-term database that holds your details on file, keywords can be searchable within this so that when an opportunity that’s perfect for you pops up down the road, your information is right there.

So knowing what this is- what can you do to improve your odds of getting hired?

1. Make Sure that You are Showcasing Yourself as a Product. You’ve heard that right. Ask yourself what sets you apart? Don’t just list tasks you’ve done in the past but really ensure that your experiences and skillset align with the job requirement without sounding like list.
2. Use the Right Keywords in Moderation.

Always refer back to the job posting! If you’re not matching your CV to the exact words in the job description, odds are the ATS system won’t pick up on your application. Don’t overstuff your resume with keywords, the goal is to find the balance between natural language and ATS -friendly.

1. Use the Right Filing Formats.

This may seem picky but in reality, it makes a big difference. Most ATS systems prefer formats like .docx or .pdf. Keep in mind if you’re an Apple user, you can run into trouble if you submit your resume in the .pages format, always double check the application instructions and when in doubt- save your file as a .docx. Its universally foolproof.

The Takeaway:

In today’s rapidly moving and evolving job market, AI screenings are no longer a nice-to-have, but an essential practice for employers. Its essential for jobhunters and for those considering making a job switch in the near future to be aware of the requirements of ATS-friendly CV’s and templates to optimize your odds of landing your dream job. Whether the goal is to align your resume template with the right keywords or choosing the correct formatting, the smallest checks make the world of difference.

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