You’re Not Going to Like This

Take some consolation in the new ways

Among the most profound changes in the job-search world are the introduction of the ATS (automated tracking system) and the advent of AI (artificial intelligence) in job seeking. You may not want to hear this, but the ATS and AI can be good for the job seeker.

Sure there are plenty of downsides to both of these new-fangled ideas. But there are plus sides as well – if you take a few minutes to stop and analyze what precisely is going on.

Yes Virginia, there are upsides

Let’s start with the ATS. A common complaint among job seekers used to be that you submit your resume and, when you don’t get a response, you don’t even know if the employer has received it or not. Not so with ATS. After submitting your resume (or application) online, most automated systems will send you a message to acknowledge your submission. They will come right out and tell you – instantly in many cases – that your resume has been received and/or sent.

Although, according to topresume.com, as many as 75 percent of applications are sorted out by ATS and that may be the last you hear from that employer, but al least the first set of eyes to see your resume (be they human or artificial) have actually seen it.

Once you pass that hurdle, if you’ve done your job matching the keywords in your application to the keywords from the job description, you should pass the initial screening. It may sound harsh, but at least you know where you stand.

AI doesn’t spell trouble

According to HR Brew, from cold calls to hot new algorithms, AI is helping talent acquisition pros and recruiters focus less on the menial and more on the human connections. In this case, “the menial” is wasting time sorting through the applications that have no connection to the job in question. AI deployments in the function are focused on increasing efficiency and empowering recruiters to better leverage the people work of talent acquisition. Thus, making the hiring process much more efficient which, while vitally important to them, also can be a huge benefit to the job seeker as well.

After all, as a job seeker, any time you can streamline the time and effort you spend on any given employer in your job search, the more time and effort you can spend pursuing employers who have a realistic interest in hiring you.

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