Yes, Virginia, ATS do reject candidates based on the keywords in their resumes

There are many things in life that we wish weren’t true. Some of them used to be not true and still aren’t, such as the concept that the world is flat. I get that there are some flat-earthers who literally believe that the world is flat, but let’s deal in realities.

There are also things that used to be not true, but now are. Until gunpowder was discovered, it was true that weapons such as cannon and rifles were impossible. Until the Wright brothers flew, it was true that powered flight was impossible. Until Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the Moon, it was true that no human had ever traveled to another object even in our own solar system. And until applicant tracking systems (ATS) started to use technology that ranked applicants, it was true that candidates could not correctly complain that their applications were rejected by the ATS.

The role of the ATS has become more critical than ever, especially for employers with hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even more employees. If you’ve ever applied to a job with any of these larger employers, you’ve almost certainly applied through their ATS. These sophisticated systems are designed to streamline the hiring process, ensuring that employers can efficiently sift through the vast number of applications they receive. A significant part of this process for many but not all ATS involves automatically matching applications against the specific job postings to which candidates are applying. The ATS ranks these applications from the best to the worst fit, using algorithms that analyze the keywords and phrases within resumes. Some of these systems use artificial intelligence (AI), but not all.

Understanding how ATS work is essential for any job seeker. When you submit your resume, the ATS scans it for keywords that align with the job description. These keywords typically include specific skills, qualifications, and experience that the employer has highlighted as important. The more closely your resume matches these keywords, the higher your application will be ranked. This ranking system is designed to help recruiters quickly identify the most suitable candidates for the position.

However, there’s a stark reality that many job seekers need to be aware of. Given the sheer volume of applications that many companies receive, recruiters often do not have the time to manually review every single one. Instead, they focus on the top-ranked applications as determined by the ATS. If your application was poorly ranked, it means that your resume didn’t sufficiently match the keywords and criteria set by the job posting. If a lot of candidates who were well-qualified applied to the same job as you did and their applications ranked higher than did yours, it is likely that your application was never reviewed by a recruiter. And if your application was never reviewed, your application was effectively rejected by the ATS, as it is unlikely that a recruiter ever reviewed it.

A recent lawsuit has brought this issue into the spotlight. In Mobley vs Workday, the plaintiff accused Workday’s ATS of unlawfully screening and selecting candidates, thereby rejecting some applications without a recruiter ever seeing them. The lawsuit alleges that Workday’s system disproportionately screened out Black, Hispanic, and older applicants through its automated filtering process. This case underscores the significant impact that ATS can have on the hiring process and highlights potential biases that can arise from automated systems.

This situation underscores the importance of tailoring your resume for each job application. Generic resumes that do not align closely with the job description are less likely to make it through the ATS’s filtering process. To increase your chances of success, it’s crucial to carefully read the job posting and ensure that your resume includes the relevant keywords and phrases. Highlighting your skills and experiences that directly relate to the job can significantly improve your ranking in the ATS.

In conclusion, while ATS have undoubtedly made the recruitment process more efficient, they have also added a layer of complexity for job seekers. Understanding how these systems work and optimizing your resume accordingly is vital. The Mobley vs Workday lawsuit provides a concrete example of how ATS can impact the hiring process and lead to automatic rejections. Remember, if your application is not ranked highly by the ATS, the likelihood of a recruiter reviewing it is slim, effectively leading to an automatic rejection. By strategically using keywords and tailoring your resume for each job, you can improve your chances of making it past the ATS and into the hands of a human recruiter.