Job Seeking with AI

Job hunting isn’t what it used to be. Today, around 90% of companies are leveraging AI to quickly scan incoming resumes to determine the candidates that would best fit their needs. The specific AI toolset that recruiters use is called ATS (Automated Tracking Systems), and if you just submitted a resume through Greenhouse, then you likely just met ATS. The challenge with ATS is that it’s AI. Not a Human. Although there are bound to be significant time savings for the company in not having to review unqualified resume after unqualified resume, there is also the likelihood that the “diamonds in the rough” are getting passed over.

The interesting phenomenon about ATS is that several companies are cropping up, claiming to be experts in navigating ATS, promising “guaranteed interviews” for a small price. These are scams, perhaps not Nigerian prince-level scams, but ATS is still so new that few know how any company uses it for any one role within the company. In reality, many positions have over 600 applicants, and some have over 3,000 applicants. Also the degree of AI/ATS being used at any given company will vary – many just use ATS as a filing cabinet/storage bin.

Learning: If you are looking for a job, be patient and continue to reach out to your network. Your human connections will very likely land you your next gig. If you have a job and want to help others, be a job-seeker advocate by connecting candidates with your companies’ recruiters.