Do EY automatically reject a resume if it doesn’t meet the minimum experience requirement?

At EY, each job posting typically outlines specific requirements, including a minimum number of years of experience relevant to the role. While not meeting these criteria could decrease an applicant’s chances, it’s not an absolute guarantee of rejection. The recruitment process at large firms like EY often uses automated systems for initial resume screenings, which can flag applications that don’t meet certain criteria. However, many companies also review flagged resumes manually to ensure potentially strong candidates aren’t overlooked due to strict filters.

For EY, while missing the experience requirement might mean your resume is initially flagged, other factors such as educational background, skills, certifications, and unique experiences can sometimes compensate. Networking and referrals can also play a significant role in getting your application considered further, even if all listed requirements aren’t met. Thus, while an auto-rejection is possible, it is not always the final word on your application.

While it’s difficult to say with 100% certainty that EY automatically rejects every single resume that doesn’t meet the stated minimum experience requirement, it’s highly likely that their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and initial screening processes heavily filter for this.

Here’s why:

• ATS Filtering: Large organizations like EY use ATS to manage the high volume of applications.¹ These systems are designed to parse resumes and filter candidates based on keywords and specific criteria, including years of experience.² If your resume doesn’t show the minimum years, it might be flagged or ranked lower.
• Recruiter Screening: Even if an ATS doesn’t automatically reject, recruiters often have strict guidelines for initial screening. If a job description explicitly states “5-7 years of related work experience,” a recruiter might quickly dismiss a resume with significantly less, especially for more senior roles.
• “Approximately” vs. Hard Requirement: While “approximately” can offer a little wiggle room, it usually means within a reasonable range (e.g., 4.5 years for a “5 years” requirement might still be considered, but 1 year for a “5 years” requirement likely won’t).
• High Competition: EY receives a large number of applications. Recruiters need efficient ways to narrow down the pool, and strict adherence to stated requirements is a common method.

What you can do:

• Tailor your resume: Ensure your resume uses keywords from the job description and highlights experience relevant to the role, even if it’s not direct years of experience.
• Quantify achievements: Instead of just listing responsibilities, quantify your achievements (e.g., “Increased efficiency by X%”) to demonstrate impact.³
• Consider “knockout questions”: Many online applications include “knockout questions” about minimum requirements.⁴ Answering these untruthfully can lead to immediate rejection.
• Network: If you’re slightly under the experience requirement but feel you’re a strong candidate, networking within EY to get a referral could potentially help your resume get a closer look from a human.
• Look for roles that align: Apply for roles where your experience genuinely aligns with the stated requirements to maximize your chances.

In essence, while there might not be a definitive “auto-reject” button for every slight deviation, meeting the minimum experience requirement is a significant factor in getting past the initial screening stages at EY.