[In-Person ONLY] How to Navigate Networking + an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

Time: Mar 19, 2026 10:15 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Place: Saratoga Federated Church, 20390 Park Place, Saratoga, CA 95070 US

Overview of Topic:
Most Companies Use an ATS
● Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) screen resumes before a recruiter sees them
● Often leverage AI, keyword matching, and automated screening questions
● May include multiple-choice and written assessments
● Referrals still typically go through the ATS
The Key Question
● How can you be sure your resume is actually being seen — with or without a referral?
The Big Picture (MAANG-Level Competition)
At companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google
Competition is elite. It’s not enough to be qualified — your resume must be:
● Parsable – Clean format, ATS-readable
● Searchable – Contains relevant skills recruiters filter for
● Keyword-aligned – Mirrors the job description language
● Quantified – Shows measurable impact
● Clear – Easy to scan and immediately relevant
Why This Matters
● If you don’t pass the ATS filter, you don’t reach the interview stage
● Strategic networking + ATS optimization = higher interview rate
Speaker’s Bio:
Carmen is an award-winning, principal recruiter, speaker and advisor with a career spanning over 25 years. Her passion for guidance, talent placement, acquisition, and coaching has led to staffing more than 5,000 roles, providing wisdom to a wide range of individuals; from students to early to mid-career professionals, founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
A seasoned professional, she has extensive experience leading teams and assessing countless resumes and profiles, with and without AI. An active UCLA alumni, her references consistently confirm her excellence in identifying and coaching top talent, leveraging relationships and technology to build successful teams. Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted family person who enjoys networking and researching health and wellness solutions. When visiting Southern California, she also enjoys getting her steps in at Disneyland.
Physical Venue:
The entrance to Richard’s Hall at SFC is near the intersection of LG Saratoga Rd and Oak Place.
Saratoga Federated Church
20390 Park Place
Saratoga, CA 95070 United States