Like ice cream flavors can go from plain Vanilla to crazy combinations like Chocolate Macadamia Nut Mint, ATSs can go from basic to all the latest bells and whistles. And even if the software does have all the bells and whistles, the recruiter and talent team decide what to use and what not to.

There are two readers for your resume. The software that reads your information, stores it, and matches it to the job opening, and the human reader - either in HR or the hiring manager. Your resume does have to appeal to both. What is optimal for one does not necessarily work the same for the other. Therefore, you do need to focus your attention on how your resume information is extracted. If crucial data cannot be read, then undoubtedly, your match to the job opening requirements will suffer.

The advent of Applicant Tracking Systems has made the administrative burden for Recruiters and Talent Acquisition professionals easier. It has also made the ability for job seekers to apply to positions much easier. That means that Human Resource departments have been inundated with applications of people marginally or even totally unqualified for a given position. Because of this, many ATS purveyors have added screening features that individual companies have enabled in their hiring process.