In this episode of Tech Currents, hosts Sam Cavaliere and Ron Melanson are joined by Amy Miller, a top influencer in talent acquisition and recruiting, creator of the recruiting in yoga pants blog. Amy brings her 26 years of experience in the field to discuss common job search myths and offer real-world advice for job seekers. This episode focuses on busting myths about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), providing advice about LinkedIn's open to work banner, the use of PDF versus Word resumes, the importance of cover letters, and addressing career gaps. Amy's real-world perspective and practical insights make this a must-listen for anyone navigating the job market.
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Episode Notes
- Host: Sam Cavaliere
- Co-Host: Ron Melanson
- Guest: Amy Miller, a recruiting and talent acquisition influencer. https://recruitinginyogapants.com
Key Topics:
- Debunking myths about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- The use of LinkedIn's "Open to Work" banner.
- The debate over using PDF versus Word formats for resumes.
- The relevance of cover letters in today’s job market.
- Addressing career gaps.
Key takeaways:
- ATS is a digital filing cabinet for recruiters, not a tool designed for job seekers. It is used to store applicant information and track the life cycle of a job requisition.
- The concept of "ATS-optimized" resumes is a myth. A simple, easy-to-read resume is sufficient, and complex formatting may cause parsing issues.
- Immediate rejections are usually due to knockout questions, not because the ATS is automatically rejecting your resume.
- Using the "Open to Work" banner on LinkedIn can be beneficial as it signals to recruiters that a candidate is actively looking.
- Both Word and PDF formats are acceptable for resumes. The format does not matter as much as the content itself.
- Cover letters may be necessary depending on the company's requirements and the type of role. They can serve to show communication skills, but their original purpose has largely disappeared.
- Career gaps should not be a significant issue, and candidates should address them briefly, focusing on forward momentum and skills development.
- It is important to tailor your application to the specific job and company, focusing on relevant skills and addressing the company’s needs.
Call to Action: Follow Amy Miller on LinkedIn and check out her blog at recruitinginyogapants.com and her YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@amymiller?si=3VZbwRNPRiK6jazl
Timeline of Topics
- [0:00 - 2:40] Introduction of hosts Sam Cavaliere and Ron Melanson, and guest Amy Miller.
- [2:40 - 6:40] Amy’s background, motivation for posting content, and the goal of her content.
- [6:40 - 17:50] Discussion of the "dreaded" ATS-optimized resume and the need to understand how the job market has changed.
- [17:50 - 35:30] Debunking myths about ATS, including what it is and how it works, including how it stores and processes data, knockout questions, the function of the application fields.
- [35:30 - 39:20] Discussion of the "Open to Work" banner on LinkedIn and the advice to be prepared for increased recruiter contact.
- [39:20 - 47:40] Discussion of the use of PDF vs Word for resumes, and the importance of naming a resume appropriately, focusing on the fact that the ATS doesn’t care about file type.
- [47:40 - 50:15] Discussion of cover letters and their relevance in the modern job market.
- [50:15 - 57:10] Discussion of career gaps and how to address them, as well as the importance of focusing on specific skills.
- [57:10 - 61:00] Conclusion and plans for a part two, and thanking Amy for her contributions
