WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:06.040 Welcome to lesson 3.3, How employers use AI in hiring, and how to work with it. 00:00:06.390 --> 00:00:11.830 Many employers use software to read, sort and rank CVs before a person ever looks at them. 00:00:12.180 --> 00:00:14.292 This software is called an ATS. 00:00:14.642 --> 00:00:17.394 In this lesson, you will learn how an ATS works. 00:00:17.744 --> 00:00:20.901 We will look at headings, keywords and layouts that it can read. 00:00:21.251 --> 00:00:25.646 You will use CARE to rewrite a CV point, and learn the common mistakes to avoid. 00:00:25.996 --> 00:00:30.284 The goal is a CV that is clear, honest and easy for software to read. 00:00:31.784 --> 00:00:34.771 By the end of this lesson, you will be able to do four things. 00:00:35.121 --> 00:00:38.662 You will explain what an ATS is and how it screens CVs. 00:00:39.012 --> 00:00:44.089 You will identify the keywords and formatting that make a CV friendly for an ATS. 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:48.898 You will use AI to rewrite parts of your CV, without inventing anything. 00:00:49.248 --> 00:00:52.619 And you will know how to avoid the most common ATS mistakes. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:56.231 Here are the key terms for this lesson. 00:00:56.581 --> 00:00:59.247 ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. 00:00:59.597 --> 00:01:05.741 It is software that employers use to collect, filter and rank CVs, using keywords and other criteria. 00:01:06.091 --> 00:01:11.318 Keywords are words or phrases from the job advert that the ATS looks for in your CV. 00:01:11.668 --> 00:01:17.193 CV parsing is how the ATS reads your CV and sorts the information into sections. 00:01:17.543 --> 00:01:22.791 An action verb is a strong word that shows what you did, such as managed, developed or increased. 00:01:23.141 --> 00:01:27.536 And keyword stuffing means repeating keywords too often in an unnatural way. 00:01:27.886 --> 00:01:29.294 It looks like spam. 00:01:30.794 --> 00:01:33.077 So why does an ATS matter to you? 00:01:33.427 --> 00:01:37.715 Many CVs are filtered out by software before a person ever reads them. 00:01:38.065 --> 00:01:45.062 According to EURES, the EU job mobility network, 70 per cent of large EU employers use an ATS. 00:01:45.412 --> 00:01:49.700 And 45 per cent of small and medium-sized companies use one too. 00:01:50.050 --> 00:01:53.677 Small and medium-sized companies are often called SMEs. 00:01:54.027 --> 00:01:55.563 The message is simple. 00:01:55.913 --> 00:01:59.603 If the software cannot read your CV, a person may never see it. 00:02:01.103 --> 00:02:06.074 In other words, your CV now has two readers: software first, and a person second. 00:02:06.424 --> 00:02:11.395 A strong candidate can be rejected just because the software could not read their CV. 00:02:11.745 --> 00:02:13.302 That can feel unfair. 00:02:13.652 --> 00:02:15.337 But here is the good news. 00:02:15.687 --> 00:02:20.167 A few simple changes make your CV work for both the software and the people. 00:02:20.517 --> 00:02:22.693 And this is not about tricking the system. 00:02:23.043 --> 00:02:26.947 It is about being clear, and using the same words the employer uses. 00:02:28.447 --> 00:02:31.007 Let's look at what happens after you click apply. 00:02:31.357 --> 00:02:35.411 First, you apply by uploading your CV to the company's job website. 00:02:35.761 --> 00:02:37.318 Second comes parsing. 00:02:37.668 --> 00:02:43.449 The software reads your CV and sorts it into sections, such as experience, education and skills. 00:02:43.799 --> 00:02:45.207 Third is matching. 00:02:45.557 --> 00:02:49.739 It compares your CV with the keywords and criteria from the job advert. 00:02:50.089 --> 00:02:51.475 Fourth is ranking. 00:02:51.825 --> 00:02:55.921 It ranks the candidates, and the best matches go to a recruiter to read. 00:02:56.271 --> 00:03:00.965 Different ATS products work in different ways, but this is the basic idea. 00:03:01.315 --> 00:03:03.896 Unusual layouts can break the parsing step. 00:03:05.396 --> 00:03:08.660 So how do you format your CV to pass automated screening? 00:03:09.010 --> 00:03:10.973 There are three best practices. 00:03:11.323 --> 00:03:15.547 First, use standard headings, such as Experience, Education and Skills. 00:03:15.897 --> 00:03:19.801 Avoid creative labels, because the software may not recognise them. 00:03:20.151 --> 00:03:24.588 Second, use keywords from the job description, naturally, throughout your CV. 00:03:24.938 --> 00:03:26.709 Third, keep a clean layout. 00:03:27.059 --> 00:03:29.661 Avoid tables, graphics, headers and footers. 00:03:30.011 --> 00:03:33.723 Use one column, and save it as a Word document or a PDF. 00:03:34.073 --> 00:03:36.057 Have a look at your own CV now. 00:03:36.407 --> 00:03:39.735 Does it have columns, icons, or a photo in a text box? 00:03:40.085 --> 00:03:42.048 These can confuse the software. 00:03:43.548 --> 00:03:46.385 Now let's use CARE to rewrite a weak CV point. 00:03:46.735 --> 00:03:50.639 The original says: responsible for various tasks in marketing. 00:03:50.989 --> 00:04:00.163 For Context, the person is applying for a Digital Marketing Specialist role at a Spanish e-commerce company, focusing on SEO, content and analytics. 00:04:00.513 --> 00:04:04.502 For Action, rewrite the point to be more specific, with relevant keywords. 00:04:04.852 --> 00:04:09.055 For Result, make it action-oriented, with real results, under 20 words. 00:04:09.405 --> 00:04:13.095 For Example, use strong verbs like developed, managed or increased. 00:04:13.445 --> 00:04:21.872 The AI wrote: developed and executed SEO content strategy, increasing organic traffic by 35 per cent over six months. 00:04:22.222 --> 00:04:23.438 But watch out. 00:04:23.788 --> 00:04:26.561 The AI invented that 35 per cent. 00:04:26.911 --> 00:04:28.831 Only keep numbers that are true. 00:04:30.331 --> 00:04:34.257 AI can improve your CV, but you are responsible for every word. 00:04:34.607 --> 00:04:35.908 Here are the dos. 00:04:36.258 --> 00:04:40.013 Paste the job advert into the AI and ask for matching keywords. 00:04:40.363 --> 00:04:42.837 Ask it to make your points clearer and shorter. 00:04:43.187 --> 00:04:45.854 Tell it clearly: do not invent any experience. 00:04:46.204 --> 00:04:48.999 And read every line, correcting anything untrue. 00:04:49.349 --> 00:04:50.543 Now the don'ts. 00:04:50.893 --> 00:04:53.539 Don't accept skills or results you do not have. 00:04:53.889 --> 00:04:56.299 Don't copy the job advert word for word. 00:04:56.649 --> 00:04:58.761 Don't hide keywords in white text. 00:04:59.111 --> 00:05:01.863 And don't send the CV without reading it yourself. 00:05:02.213 --> 00:05:05.477 Employers check claims in interviews and with references. 00:05:05.827 --> 00:05:08.537 An invented skill can cost you the job later. 00:05:10.037 --> 00:05:13.087 Here are three common ATS mistakes to avoid. 00:05:13.437 --> 00:05:15.485 The first is creative layouts. 00:05:15.835 --> 00:05:19.483 Icons, infographics and unusual fonts confuse the software. 00:05:19.833 --> 00:05:21.796 The second is keyword stuffing. 00:05:22.146 --> 00:05:26.903 Too many unnatural keywords look like spam, and they make your CV hard to read. 00:05:27.253 --> 00:05:29.621 The third is using only abbreviations. 00:05:29.971 --> 00:05:35.859 Write the term in full the first time, for example Search Engine Optimisation, followed by SEO. 00:05:36.209 --> 00:05:39.580 The ATS may search for either one, so this helps you match. 00:05:39.930 --> 00:05:44.218 One more tip: test your CV with a free ATS checker before you apply. 00:05:45.718 --> 00:05:47.681 Now it's time for a short video. 00:05:48.031 --> 00:05:54.132 It explains what an Applicant Tracking System is, how it works, and how to write a CV that works with it. 00:05:54.482 --> 00:05:56.701 While you watch, think about your own CV. 00:05:57.051 --> 00:05:59.909 Note down one change you will make to it after watching. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:02.542 You will find the video on the lesson page. 00:06:04.042 --> 00:06:05.749 Let's check your understanding. 00:06:06.099 --> 00:06:08.467 Pause the video and answer these questions. 00:06:08.817 --> 00:06:11.825 What is an ATS, and what does it do with your CV? 00:06:12.175 --> 00:06:15.908 Name three things that make a CV easy for an ATS to read. 00:06:16.258 --> 00:06:19.053 What is keyword stuffing, and why should you avoid it? 00:06:19.403 --> 00:06:23.371 And why must you check every number and skill that AI adds to your CV? 00:06:23.721 --> 00:06:25.854 Press play when you are ready to continue. 00:06:27.354 --> 00:06:29.530 Two resources can help you go further. 00:06:29.880 --> 00:06:34.509 The first is the video, Everything You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems. 00:06:34.859 --> 00:06:40.982 The second is Harvard Business Review research on how AI is changing what employers want from new hires. 00:06:41.332 --> 00:06:43.551 You will find the links on the lesson page. 00:06:45.051 --> 00:06:46.971 Let's recap the key takeaways. 00:06:47.321 --> 00:06:52.142 Many employers use an ATS to read and rank CVs before a person sees them. 00:06:52.492 --> 00:06:55.692 Use standard headings and a clean, one-column layout. 00:06:56.042 --> 00:06:59.861 Use keywords from the job advert naturally, and never stuff them in. 00:07:00.211 --> 00:07:03.453 Use CARE to rewrite CV points with strong action verbs. 00:07:03.803 --> 00:07:06.982 And never let AI invent skills, jobs or results. 00:07:07.332 --> 00:07:09.615 Check every single line before you send. 00:07:11.115 --> 00:07:12.864 Now put it into practice. 00:07:13.214 --> 00:07:17.523 On the platform, start with the activity, Get your CV past the software. 00:07:17.873 --> 00:07:23.932 Then begin Exercise 3.3, Build your digital portfolio, which takes about one and a half hours. 00:07:24.282 --> 00:07:26.373 You will continue it in the next lesson. 00:07:26.723 --> 00:07:28.728 Finally, take the lesson quiz. 00:07:29.078 --> 00:07:32.534 It has five questions, and you need 70 per cent to pass. 00:07:32.884 --> 00:07:35.913 Don't worry, you can retake it as many times as you need.