How Employers Use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

How Employers Use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)How Employers Use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS), also known as talent management systems, to process job applications and to manage the hiring process. They provide an automated way for companies to manage the entire recruiting process, from receiving applications to hiring employees. The information in the database is used for screening candidates, applicant testing, scheduling interviews, managing the hiring process, checking references, and completing new-hire paperwork. How Applicant Tracking Systems Work When applicants apply for a job online, their contact information, experience, educational background, resume, and cover letter are uploaded into the database. The information then can be transferred from one component of the system to aleidher as candidates move through the hiring process. The system allows company recruiters to review the applications, sends applicants a utomated messages letting them know their applications have been received, and gives online tests. Hiring managers can schedule interviews and mail rejection letters through the ATS. Finally, human resources personnel can use the same information to put individuals on the payroll once they are hired. These integrated systems streamline the recruiting and application process for employers. Streamlining the Process Using an ATS can help save both time and money. Information from applicants is uploaded and organized in a database, making it easily accessible and searchable for human resources professionals. Because the information is collected and organized digitally and automatically, companies do not have to pay for the additional time taken by sorting and filing paper applications. Some systems also can save time for job applicants. Many employers use systems that allow job applicants to upload their vital information, work histories, education, and references directly from thei r profiles on websites like LinkedIn or Indeed. While job applicants obviously need to cater different applications to different positions, being able to bypass the tedious process of retyping this information for every application is a valuable time saver. Tracking the Process Applicant tracking systems allow companies to track where candidates found the job posting- on a job board, directly from a company website, through a referral, or from another source. This can be important information that allows employers to focus their recruiting on the areas where the data shows they have the fruchtwein success or find the most desirable candidates while reducing or eliminating efforts in areas that show little success. Drawbacks However beneficial an applicant tracking system can be, there often are drawbacks employers need to consider. Systems are designed to look for specific keywords and types of backgrounds for advertised positions, meaning good candidates who are switching c areers might slip through the cracks of the system and not get noticed. There also can be technical issues. Some systems will eliminate candidates if they cant interpret a scanned resume properly. This can happen if a resume looks slightly different than what the system is programmed to understand or if the resume is more complex than it can interpret. Tips for Candidates If youre applying for a job through an online form, assume that your resume is entering an applicant tracking system. To increase your chances of making it through the ATS and to a recruiters inbox, optimize your application Follow instructions. Perhaps the most important thing you can do to make sure your resume makes it to a human being is to follow instructions exactly. That means including the right documents (resume, cover letter, samples, etc.) and the right document type (in other words, dont send a portable document format if the instructions specify a Word doc). Use keywords. Keywords are terms that r elate to job requirements. To make sure that your resume is filtered correctly, use the exact keywords from the job advertisement. For example, if the job description calls for someone with experience in Microsoft Word, dont put Microsoft Office. A human can look at that descriptor and understand that is includes Word, as well as other applications, but a bot might miss it. Dont get fancy. Nows not the time for your infographic resume. In fact, even a PDF might be too slick for the system. Follow the instructions and send the exact file type specified. Choose a standard resume format and font. Align your text to the left and set 1-inch margins. Remember, you have to get through the ATS before you can impress a hiring manager. Dont make any formatting choices that will work against you.

What to Do With a Degree in Sociology

What to Do With a Degree in SociologyWhat to Do With a Degree in SociologySociology is a social science that focuses on the study of groups of human beings. It looks at the development of social groups, their structures and the interactions within and among them. Does this sound interesting? If so you should consider choosing sociology as your college major. Some who do, continue their studies in this area and eventually earn a masters degree or a Ph.D. They can then go on to work as sociologists or become academics. Many undergraduate sociology majors leave this field entirely to pursue other sociology careers in which they can use the skills they attained while earning their degrees. These skills include the ability to do research and data analysis, communicate well and think critically. Here are some of your options. Human Resources Specialist Human resources specialists deal with personnel matters within organizations. They recruit, hire and retain workers. This occupation u tilizes a sociology majors knowledge of group structures and interactions to solve workplace zu gunsten vonblems such as disputes between employees. Your background will also come in handy when determining whether a job candidate will fit in with the current staff. Harmony in the workplace is a valuable commodity and anyone who can help facilitate that is valued as well. Writer or Editor Writers create material for print and online media. Editors select the material to be published as well as give guidance to writers. As a sociology major, you had to do quite a bit of research as well as write papers. By the time you complete your degree you will be a pro at doing research and explaining complex concepts in writing. These skills will be an asset to you in this occupation. Manager Managers direct employees work activities. They delegate tasks, resolve problems among staff members, give constructive criticism and reprimand workers who are performing poorly. Your understanding of group structure and interactions will serve you well in this capacity. In addition, the strong communication and critical thinking skills you attained while preparing for your degree will also make you a strong manager. Insurance Agent Insurance agents sell insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They help their clients find suitable policies based on their needs and what they can afford. Your ability to communicate well will help you do your job. While you dont need to have a degree in a specific subject to work as an insurance agent, you will have to become licensed by the state in which you plan to work. You will need separate licenses to sell different types of insurance, for example, life, health and property, and casualty. This may require, depending on the state, some formal training. Market Research Analyst Market research analysts, working on behalf of companies, design surveys to determine the preferences of potential customers. They help their employ ers decide what products and services to sell and where and at what price to sell them. As a sociology major, you can call upon your research and analytical skills, as well as your knowledge about social groups. Your strong communications skills will also help you explain your findings to your employer. Statistician Using mathematical techniques, statisticians analyze data and then draw conclusions based on their findings. They must be strong critical thinkers who also have excellent written and oral communication skills and are adept at data analysis. As a sociology major, these are areas in which you excel. To be a statistician, however, you also need a strong background in math. If this career path appeals to you, consider a double major or a minor in mathematics or statistics. Coursework in computer science will also be helpful. A masters degree in statistics will make you a more competitive job candidate. Special Agent Special agents, who are also known as detectives a nd criminal investigators, determine whether people have violated laws. To do this they gather and analyze evidence and facts. Your strong communication skills will help you do your job as will your understanding of human beings and how they function as part of society. Special agents often begin their careers as police officers. While a college degree isnt required for entry-level positions, one often needs at least some undergraduate coursework, if not a bachelors degree, in order to work himself or herself up the ranks to Special agent. College Admissions Counselor College admissions counselors recruit applicants and then determine whether they should be admitted. They prepare promotional materials about the schools they represent and then use it to make presentations at high schools, college fairs, and other programs. They must have good communication and critical thinking skills as those with a degree in sociology typically do. Health Educator Health educators teach peo ple how to stay or get healthy. They work with students as well as adults in schools and healthcare facilities. Your skills as a communicator and the time you spent studying people will help you do well in this job, but you will also need to learn about public health. You can do that by earning a masters degree in community, public or school health education. Health Services Manager Health services managers coordinate the delivery of services in health care facilities or in individual departments of those facilities. Their work includes creating schedules, managing finances and communicating with staff members. As a sociology major, you will have some of the basic skills you need to do this job, for example, strong critical thinking and communication skills, but you will need to become knowledgeable about health administration. You can minor or double major in this subject in college. You might also consider earning a masters degree in health, public or business administration to make yourself more marketable.

Ambitious dog wins spot on several academic journals

Ambitious dog wins spot on several academic journalsAmbitious dog wins spot on several academic journalsIn academia, nobody knows youre a dog - even when you send in a picture.Dr Olivia Doll has fooled people into thinking shes an academic scholar. But Dr. Olivia is not a doctor, or even a human- shes a Staffordshire terriernamed Ollie.So how did the ambitious end up on the editorial boards of seven global medical journals?Dog days of academiaOllies owner, hochschulprofessor Mike Daube (reportedly of Curtin University) decided to test how carefully some journals scrutinised their editorial reviewers, by inventing Dr. Doll and making up her credentials.Australian publication PerthNow reportedCurtins story.Though Dr. Olivia Dolls bio clearly indicates shes not a real person,Daube said that the big journals didnt find her out.Check out, for instance, Olliescurrent listing as an editor for the Global Journal of Addiction and Rehabilitation Medicine. According to the journal, Dr Doll is from theSubiaco College of Veterinary Science in Australia. And her interests are a little odd.Avian propinquity to canines in metropolitan suburbs Relationships between Doberman Pinschers and Staffordshire Terriers in domestic environments The role of domestic canines in promoting optimal mental health in ageing males The impact of skateboards on canine ambulation The benefits of abdominal massage for medium-sized canines Implications for canine and equine animals of participation in gambling sports Accidental drug use by Staffordshire Terriers in a roadside setting Passive exposure of canines to alcohol fumes in the domestic environment, her description reads.How far from realizing Ollies identity were the journals? Well, the pup was even contacted to weigh in on tumor management paper - perhaps too sophisticated a subject for a pup.A nose for newsThe pup isbeing featured in a mora highly-regarded text called the Medical Journal of Australias Insight magazine, which reportedly i s looking at the surge in journals which charge desperate would-be researchers up to $3000 to get their studies published.Professor Daube spokeabout the message he hopes to send with his experiment.While this started as something lighthearted, I think it is important to expose shams of this kind which prey on the gullible, especially young or naive academics and those from developing countries, Professor Daube told the publication.It looks like every so-called academic journal isnt created equal. As the Huffington Post quipped, it looks like science has gone to the dogs.Luckily, Ollie has a nose to sniff out scams.