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- 💼 💸 Day 6: Mastering Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - Asambe! 💼 💸
💼 💸 Day 6: Mastering Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - Asambe! 💼 💸
Be Intentional and Purposeful Today
Phemelo Kebinelang
June 15, 2025
15 JUNE 2025
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Day 6: Mastering Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - Asambe!
Cracking the ATS Code.
Your Secret Weapon for Remote Job Success!
Welcome to Day 6 of our 21-Day Remote Jobs Challenge.
Today, we’re revealing the biggest secret in remote job hunting that most people never learn: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
You’ve already built your LinkedIn profile and signed up on top job platforms, but now it’s time to face the invisible digital gatekeeper standing between you and your dream job.
Here’s the reality: Over 98% of major companies use ATS software to manage their hiring process.
A staggering 75% of resumes never reach human eyes because these systems filter them out.
ATS is like a robot receptionist; it scans, sorts, and ranks every application, searching for specific keywords, formats, and criteria that match the job requirements.
If your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, it could disappear into the digital void before anyone sees it.
Understanding how ATS works changes the game, especially in the remote job market where competition is fierce and global.
An ATS reads your resume, breaks it down, and screens it for the exact skills and experiences listed in the job ad.
It ranks applicants based on how closely their CV matches what the employer wants.
This isn’t about tricking the system; it’s about presenting your info clearly and simply so the ATS recognises your strengths.
If you’ve ever felt like your application vanished into a black hole, this is probably why.
Today’s task is to learn the rules of the ATS game so you can finally get your CV past the robot and into human hands.
So, what’s next?
Today, focus on understanding the basics of ATS; what it is, why it matters, and how you can make it work for you.
This knowledge is your secret password to the club and the crucial first step toward remote job success.
Tomorrow, our Day 7, we’ll guide you step-by-step in building a powerful, ATS-friendly remote CV designed to beat the system and get noticed.
Even if you’re new to this or feeling a bit intimidated, remember: mastering ATS is a skill anyone can learn.
It’s your ticket to standing out in the global remote job market.
Stick with us, keep an open mind, and get ready to take your job search to the next level!
📘 ATS 101: What You Need to Know as a Remote Job Seeker
🧠 What Is ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System is like a hiring robot.
It scans every CV to check for:
Keywords related to the job description (e.g. “Excel,” “copywriting,” “social media strategy”)
Format (simple, clean, no columns or weird fonts)
Sections (education, work experience, skills, etc.)
Relevance (how well your CV matches the job ad)
🧰 What ATS Tools Do Recruiters Use?
Greenhouse, Workday, JazzHR, Ashby, Pinpoint, Workable, and Bullhorn are the tools that help HR teams scan thousands of applications in seconds.
Each system’s core function is to automatically screen applications and save recruiters time, though they use slightly different algorithms and ranking methods.
🆚 Other Similar Tools
Besides ATS, other hiring tools include:
CRM (Candidate Relationship Management) – tracks applicant history
HRIS (Human Resource Information System) – a full HR data system
Job boards and marketplaces like Upwork and LinkedIn Jobs also use ranking systems based on keywords, engagement, and profile completeness.
The ATS works like a sophisticated search engine for resumes.
When you submit your application, the system scans your CV for relevant keywords, skills, job titles, and qualifications that match what the employer wants.
It scores your application based on how well you fit their criteria, creating a ranked list that recruiters review.
Your 5-Step ATS Mastery Action Plan
Step 1: Keyword Intelligence Gathering
Before applying, become a keyword detective.
Copy the job description into a document and highlight every skill, qualification, and requirement mentioned.
Look for repeated words like "project management," "customer service," or "social media marketing."
These are your golden keywords—they must appear naturally throughout your CV and cover letter.
Step 2: ATS-Friendly Formatting Rules
ATS systems struggle with complex formatting, graphics, and unusual fonts.
Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid tables and text boxes.
Save your CV as both .docx and .pdf.
Use standard section headings like "Work Experience" and "Education," and never put important info in headers or footers where it might get lost.
Step 3: Strategic Keyword Placement
Integrate your keywords naturally.
Don’t just stuff them in randomly.
Weave them into your job descriptions, skills section, and professional summary.
For example, instead of “handled customer complaints,” say “provided exceptional customer service to resolve client issues and maintain satisfaction ratings above 95%.”
Step 4: Skills Section Optimisation
Create a dedicated skills section that mirrors the job requirements using exact terms from the posting.
Step 5: ATS Testing and Refinement
Use free ATS scanners like Jobscan.co or Resume Worded to test how your CV performs against specific job descriptions.
These tools show exactly what the ATS sees and suggest improvements.
Test your CV against 3-4 different remote job postings to ensure broad compatibility.
📋 TODAY'S ATS MASTERY CHECKLIST:
Research 3 remote job postings in your target field
Extract and list 15-20 keywords from each posting
Test your current CV with a free ATS scanner
Identify your top 3 formatting issues to fix
💪 ATS MASTERY AFFIRMATION:
"I understand the technology behind modern hiring. My CV speaks the language of both ATS systems and human recruiters. I am positioning myself for remote work success by mastering the tools that connect talent with opportunity."
🔗 Essential ATS Learning Resources:
👉 Please click on all the links below to explore the resources.
Don’t skip, every insight counts!
Bullhorn ATS Guide: https://www.bullhorn.com/au/resources/ats-buyers-guide/
Clear Company ATS Comparison: https://blog.clearcompany.com/best-applicant-tracking-systems
Oleeo ATS Full Guide: https://www.oleeo.com/blog/what-is-an-applicant-tracking-system-ats/
TechnologyAdvice ATS Overview: https://technologyadvice.com/applicant-tracking-systems/
📩 Tip: Take 20 minutes today to go through these materials.
You're in this challenge to win, so let’s build the knowledge that powers digital income.
A reminder to all participants.
We’ve created a WhatsApp group - 21-Day Challenge Remote Jobs for easy and timely access to the challenge's daily tasks, updates, resources and opportunities.
We encourage you to join the group.
Follow this link to join the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DINLpaRZ1PfEfYsvzhH1dH
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