Trying to get through an ATS is advice that can die in a fire.

The “numbers game” is so misleading and a harmful concept because it gets people thinking that More of the same is eventually going to lead results.

It’s also dehumanizing and is terrible career advice.?

It has us hustling to apply for more jobs and send in MORE applications rather than creating real, meaningful relationships with real people.?

That’s exhausting and awkward for the person doing it, and it leads to mental and physical exhaustion, and it feels like you’re treading water.?

It has us comparing useless metrics like “how many resumes I’ve submitted in the last however many months) and that has NOTHING to do with how many actual human useful conversations you’ve had.?

The ATS is an example of the kind of thing that leads us to all look the exact same and follow the “Borg collective” (Any closeted star trek fans out there?

Just me??

ok… moving on.?

We believe that the number of submissions equals the number of results, even though this is proven across the board that it doesn’t.

In fact a measly 1-2% of resumes get through.?

It’s like treating these applications like an ATM machine that will spit out money (a paycheque) if we could only figure out how to rig it in our favor. (KEY words etc.)?

It is exactly the kind of language and thinking that removes the humanity and heart, and genuineness from the hiring process, and it contributes to a toxic system that is boring-generic and is part of a broken system.?

Because what do you do once you’ve “beat the ATS” and learned how to get through it?

You will have to make that human connection THEN and then hustle to get them to hire you.?

The first golden rule of job hunting applies here.?

If you don’t want people to see you as a number, then don’t become part of the system that rewards you for being a number.?

In order to build a sustainable career, you start with non-transactional human interactions.

With humans, you can know and care about who sees you, get to know you, respect you, and care about you.?

And these relationships take time and effort to build.?

There is no install-relationship formula that fast tracks this when you all of a sudden need a job.?

Think of it like dating, to have any chance of finding the “one” you have to first know who you are and show up as your real self, even when it’s not convenient and even when the other person might not like it.?

That’s the minimum requirement.?

And it’s often the hardest one.?

And AFTER that.. the step is to meet people for the pleasure of meeting people. And not everyone is a pleasure to meet (I know this all too well).?

But get to know them because you CAN connect with a genuine curiosity, and you CAN connect with another human.?

Make friends.

Have fun.?

When you see opportunity add in the suefulness.

Ask the good questions

Be helpful

Be fun

This is how you create meaningful connections that feed your career.?

NOT BY Trying to get past the Dang ATS.?

SIGN UP TO MY FREE 3 DAY SERIES!

-Natalie