How do I tell if a company uses an ATS?

Clear signs: online application portal (not email application), standardised forms with mandatory fields, request to upload your CV AND fill in fields manually. According to BA employment statistics, companies with approximately 250+ employees predominantly use digital application processes. If you apply by email or post: no ATS in use, human screening. If a portal like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Personio, or Greenhouse is visible: ATS is definitely active. Caveat: even in ATS processes, a human reads the final round — a smart keyword strategy helps you reach the final round, but quality and substance decide from there.