Is it worth trying to ‘hack’ CV reading software?
By Fay Capstick
Candidates can get frustrated if they feel that their CV isn’t getting the proper attention that it deserves. One of the reasons candidates feel like this is because some recruiters use software to read CVs (usually during the initial screening stages). This week we will look at the software used in recruitment and the hacks that candidates are using to try and ensure their CV gets the attention it deserves.
Do recruiters use CV reading software?
Generally recruiters may use CV reading software to speed up their initial process of accessing applicants. These are called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This is particularly true if you apply for a position through an application portal. The software will be using keyword searches to check that a CV matches up to the skills required. The larger the business that you are applying to, the more likely it is that ATS will be involved. Up to 98.8% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS.
Why do they use CV reading software?
Recruiters may use ATS to help them perform an initial assessment of the CVs that are being received for a role. This is particularly true with online application meaning that it takes mere seconds for a candidate to fire off their application for a role, even one that they aren’t particularly suited for.
What are the advantages?
The advantage for the recruiter is that any initial flood of applicants can be cut down to the relevant ones by the software. This saves them time. When ATS also includes Client Relationship Management (CRM) software, the whole recruitment process should become streamlined for the candidate and recruiter as interviews can be scheduled, emails sent, and everything tracked, all from within the software system, meaning that nothing gets overlooked or forgotten which is a bonus to candidate and recruiter.
What are the disadvantages?
The biggest disadvantage for the recruiter is that it is possible a CV might be mistakenly rejected by the software if it doesn’t contain the correct key words. The disadvantage for the candidate is that your CV might never been looked at despite being suitable. However, in practice it is unlikely that your CV would be rejected if it matched the role that you were applying for as keywords would be present.
CRM software lets a recruiter target candidates who haven’t applied for specific positions, but have registered their details and CVs on specific portals. CRM software also works on searches of keywords, so again it is important that candidates make sure that their CV contains all the relevant keywords needed to describe their individual skill set.
A Harvard Business School study (https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/hiddenworkers09032021.pdf) found that 88% of recruiters feel that qualified candidates are being screened out by software for having CVs that didn’t contain the right keywords. This is obviously a huge loss for candidates and recruiters. All good recruiters, such as here at Parker Shaw, will do everything they can to make sure that talented candidates never fall through the cracks. Our more personal services helps us achieve this goal.
What can candidates do to ‘hack’ CV reading software?
It’s not so much a ‘hack’, but candidates need to understand that ATS is in place when they apply for jobs and that their CV needs to be tailored accordingly. It is important that your CV contains all relevant keywords and skills so that the software (and then the recruiter) will see these when they come to check your CV. It is possible that the initial candidate sweep will see many recruiters just checking for the highlighted keywords that they are looking for, before they go back and give the CV a thorough look.
The key takeaway is that, as a candidate, make sure that your CV contains all the keywords that you would expect a recruiter might be looking for with regard to the role that you are applying for. A conscientious applicant would do this anyway, but just take an extra minute to ensure you have done this. You could even perform keyword searches on your own CV just to check.
Conclusion
At Parker Shaw we pride ourselves on giving each application the time it needs. This benefits the candidates as they can be sure of a personal service, and it also benefits our clients as it means that we are providing them with the best possible candidates for their needs. Overall, applicants can ensure that their CV gets the attention it deserves by ensuring that it is well crafted and that it clearly lists all their relevant experience and skills.
Next week we will be looking at 8 things you can do to make your CV stellar.
Final thoughts
At Parker Shaw we have been at the forefront of the sector we serve, IT & Digital Recruitment and Consulting, for over 30 years. We can advise you on all your hiring needs. If you are looking for your next job in the IT sector please check our Jobs Board for our current live vacancies at https://parkershaw.co.uk/jobs-...;