What is ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?
TL;DR: An ATS is software used by employers to manage job applications. It scans resumes for keywords, ranks candidates by relevance, and filters out applications that don't meet minimum criteria — often before any human reviews them.
Over 75% of large companies use ATS software. Popular systems include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS. They parse resumes into structured data (contact info, skills, experience, education) and score against job requirements.