Is it me or is the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) biased? and why has it become so hard to career transition for generation x'ers. Everything appears to be geared only for millennials.

Question

I have spent the majority of my work history in finance.  I've learned so much but I had my ah-ha moment about 8 years ago and discovered that my passion is organizational development and development of others.  Via learning, training etc.  I have been job searching for some time with the hopes of getting an entry level position into this challenging career and go from there.  Fast forward to 2018, I have a graduates degree and I am certified in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, although it's been so long I've almost forgot how to do it but I'm a life learner.  I have tried services that have revamped my resume 2 and 3 times over.  No leads what so ever, I believe that my current job title has me pigeon hold and in a very deep hole of hopelessness.  I have considered relocation, but unless I'm a VP, COO or CEO I cannot get a lead.  Can someone please give me some suggestions.

Anonymous · Answer

I think ATS systems are biased in the sense that they scan for keywords and certain thresholds of experience -- which systematically disadvantages anyone who is coming into a new role or type of job. That sounds like your situation and I'm not sure how much resume revamping can really help that unless you totally change your resume to minimize your (valuable) prior experience. I think that's the nature of using software to filter rather than appealing to human judgment. Have you spent much time networking? I have changed industries 2 times in my early career and both times, I would have never had a chance had I simply applied to a job cold through an applicant tracking system.

Is it me or is the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) biased? and why has it become so hard to career transition for generation x'ers. Everything appears to be geared only for millennials.

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