MyJobCast.com Not Meant to Bypass ATS Systems

With the upcoming official launch of myJobCast.com, there seems to be one consistent question from it's beta users. How can we use the application to apply for a corporate job that uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? My response generally is that the member missed the point of the product. The point of myJobCast.com is several-fold, but certainly it is not a means to bypass corporate ATS systems in attempting to connect with an open corporate job. When applying for corporate jobs at a company that does use an ATS system, the reality is you should use that channel to initially apply. However, that stated, do not just assume that because you applied via an ATS system that someone has seen your resume. You should read my post on my reasoning - click here.

Many times your resume goes unnoticed by a human in the ATS process. I recommend using the system to apply and then trying to find someone internally to inquire as to whether or not it was received, reviewed and considered. Perhaps someone in your personal or online social network has a connection at the company that can provide you with someone internally to connect with and ask. Otherwise, it is not all that difficult to find someone in HR via the corporate website, to connect with and inquire.

Once you do have the internal individual's contact information (email address), that is where myJobCast.com can help. Send a general email to the individual stating that you uploaded your resume and was curious if it was received. Also let them know that you will be sending them a full online profile for their additional consideration. Then, use myJobCast.com to send your resume/profile to this individual. It can help differentiate you from the many. Even better, the system can tell you whether or not that profile send was actually opened by the individual. Once the individual opens the profile link sent by the myJobCast.com system, they can review your profile - resume, references, general career information, etc. The point here is that it is not just a simple resume that the individual gets to review. You can provide references upfront which can be very important. Want more information why? Read this post.

They can also, on the same sent profile web page, respond as to their interest level - even if their interest level is zero. The point is, when they do this, it will inform the myJobCast.com system and you as the member will know because you will receive an email indicating action was taken on a profile send. To take it a step further, the myJobCast.com system will even (if elected) send you a text message that action was taken, prompting you to login to the system and review the action(s) taken.

If there is interest, the myJobCast.com system can be a great tool in the sense that it can track all your profile sends. Unfortunately we are in an economy where job seekers are applying to dozens of jobs a week. Loosing track of where you send your resume is easy. This tool keeps track of where you sent your profile, who opened it, who is interested and any notes you wish to include on each particular profile send.

If you are fortunate enough to land an interview, myJobCast.com is a great tool to assist you through your process. Aside from the valuable interview tips, there is a calendar system that will allow you to schedule interviews and then remind you about an upcoming interview. Once you complete your interview, another reminder will be sent to you, guiding you to send a thank you letter. Don't think a thank you letter is important? Read this post.

And 12 hours after your scheduled interview, you will get yet another reminder for you to use the myJobCast.com system to send out an interview feedback request to the individual(s) that provided the interview. This is crucial. Interview feedback is critical. More information on the importance can be read at the this post.

Now as far as the main topic of using myJobCast.com to go around an ATS system - you shouldn't. However, I want to stress a valuable point. When you consider every available job opening, what percentage of them do you think use an ATS system? I would think the answer is minimal. Especially when you consider how many small to medium companies there are out there. Small businesses dominate the job market. They by and large do not use an ATS system, nor do they use the traditional Monster, CareerBuilder sites. Typically their jobs are filled by word of mouth, local print ads, their own websites and various other avenues. For these jobs, myJobCast.com can be a perfect tool.

We encourage you to give myJobCast.com a consideration. Should you use the application, we also encourage your feedback.