In today’s fast-paced job market, how do you get noticed when your first hurdle isn’t even a human being? The answer lies in understanding the system—an AI-powered Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty.

It is a tough moment for the labor market. Businesses are hiring at one of the slowest paces in the last 10 years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and as many as 7.2 million people ...