“The ATS rejected my resume.” Actually? Probably not.
Here’s the truth: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) don’t typically “reject” resumes like a bot. They’re not some sophisticated AI passing judgment on your career. Instead, recruiters use ATS platforms to store, organize, and search through resumes using keywords, Boolean search strings and manual system filters. The only exception to this is if there are basic requirement questions like “This position requires you speak X language - do you? If the answer is no, you’ll be disqualified but that’s not AI, it’s just a standard if/than formula code.
Will this all change in the near future, probably - but for now worry less about AI and more about your resume being easy to read and impactful.
Here’s how to show up in recruiter searches:
1. Job Description is Your Blueprint
Think of the job description as a guide, not a script. Identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities, then use your own achievements to demonstrate how you’ve applied those skills. Avoid copying and pasting the entire job description. You can pull a few general bullet points if it makes sense but try to have some original data focused bullet points especially if you are a senior candidate.
2. Clarify Your Job Title
If your company uses a unique or unconventional title, recruiters might not find you. Most recruiters search using standard industry titles. You can keep your official title but add a common equivalent in parentheses.
Example: "Customer Satsifaction Specialist (Customer Service Representative)"
Example: "Innovation Strategist (Product Marketing Manager)"
3. Highlight Core Skills
Many ATS platforms allow recruiters to filter by skills. Include both technical and soft skills relevant to the role — but be specific. Instead of “data tools,” say “Excel, SQL, and Tableau.”
4. Optimize for Human Eyes
A recruiter will eventually read your resume. Keep it clean, organized, and free of unnecessary graphics or complex formatting. No one wants to decode your career story.
5. Test Your Resume’s Clarity
Search your resume for the core keywords of the job you’re applying for. If they don’t appear naturally in your experience or skills section, that’s a red flag.
