Hey Kat! You got it. When you attach your resume to an online form and hit submit, that’s when your resume is passed to the ATS. From there, employers will search for candidates using the ATS. For example, an employer might search for resumes that have the keywords “customer service” “help desk” or “graphic design.” They use these keywords to help them narrow down the pool of applicants to a much more manageable number.

Happily,

Ashlee Anderson, CPCC

So, when it comes to Applicant Tracking Systems, are you referring to the online resume submission process ? When I apply for a job online – through their website – fill out their ‘application’ form and attach my resume, is this where the ATS kicks in ?