Industry 4.0 in HR: Can we truly rely on ATS alone?

I’ve taken it upon myself to explore how the job application process has changed over the last decade. In doing so, I came across this statement during a Google search on the topic:

“Many companies now use ATS to screen resumes, searching for keywords and automatically filtering out unqualified candidates.”

This really got me thinking — and honestly, it struck a nerve. Are applicant tracking systems (ATS) truly filtering out unqualified candidates? I personally disagree with that framing. It feels like the “human” in Human Resources has been gradually removed from the process.

But what does an ATS actually do? Is it really taking over the screening process?

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software that helps companies streamline recruitment by collecting, ranking, and filtering resumes. It can also help track a candidate’s progress through the hiring process. The most common ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Zoho Recruit, BambooHR, Workable, and iCIMS, among others.

The impact this kind of software has had on the hiring process is huge. According to Jobscan research conducted in 2024, 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS. Yes, that’s the hiring world we live in now. Only 8 out of 500 companies didn’t report using one. And even then, that doesn’t mean they don’t rely on an internal or customized system.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against using technology in HR. After all, job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn have undeniably revolutionized and scaled application processes by the thousands, if not millions. But I believe we can (and should) push for an improvement in the algorithms, so we don’t end up discarding good candidates. Perhaps an audit once in a while to corroborate that most of the discarded resumes are actually NOT a good fit?

I believe it’s time to re-humanize the job application process. We might be overlooking incredible talent simply because a resume doesn’t check a few algorithmic boxes. After all, a resume isn’t just about metrics, experience, or keywords. It represents a person’s journey, their STORY.

What are your thoughts?