Applicant tracking system (ATS)
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software an employer uses to collect applications and manage candidates through recruitment.
You may meet an ATS as an application form, a document upload or a candidate account. Some systems extract details from a CV into fields such as employment history and contact information. That extraction is called parsing. Greenhouse, for example, documents situations where a CV remains attached even when parsing fails and someone must enter the details manually.
A readable document helps both the software and the person reviewing it. Use clear section headings, follow the requested file format and check any information filled in automatically. Language support and application settings differ between systems and employers. A submission confirmation establishes that the application was submitted; it does not reveal how the employer assesses candidates or whether you will be shortlisted.
Example
You upload a CV and the form puts your previous employer in the job-title field. You correct that field before submitting, while keeping the original CV attached.
What to check
- Does the posting specify a file type, size limit or application language?
- Are your dates, job titles and contact details correct in the completed form?
- Have you saved the submission confirmation and the version you sent?