What is ATS?
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software that companies use to manage job applications. 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of mid-sized companies use an ATS.
These systems:
- Automatically scan and score your resume
- Filter candidates based on keywords
- Present the most qualified applicants to employers
Why Does This Matter?
Research shows that approximately 75% of resumes are rejected without ever being seen by a human. The main reason? ATS systems flag these resumes as "not a match."
Why ATS Rejects Your Resume
1. Wrong File Format
ATS systems struggle to read certain file formats:
- PDF: Supported by most ATS, but some older systems have issues
- DOCX: The safest format
- Image-heavy designs: ATS can't read these at all!
2. Missing Keywords
Keyword matching between the job posting and your resume is critical. For example:
- If the job requires "project management," that term should be in your resume
- Writing "JS" instead of "JavaScript" can lower your match rate
- Industry jargon and abbreviations should be used carefully
3. Complex Design
- Tables and columns can confuse ATS
- Graphics and icons are unreadable
- Custom fonts may cause issues
- Headers and footers are sometimes skipped
4. Missing Contact Information
ATS automatically extracts your basic contact info:
- Email address
- Phone number
- Location
If any of these are missing, your application might be filtered out.
5 Golden Rules to Pass the ATS
1. Use a Clean, Simple Format
Choose a single-column, clean design. Avoid unnecessary graphics.
2. Analyze the Job Posting
Identify keywords in each job posting and naturally incorporate them into your resume.
3. Use Standard Section Headers
Stick to standard headers:
- "Work Experience" or "Professional Experience"
- "Education"
- "Skills"
4. Add Measurable Achievements
Concrete numbers like "Increased sales by 30%" impress both ATS and human readers.
5. Customize for Each Application
Don't send the same resume everywhere. Tailor it for each job posting.
ATS Check with Rejectly
Rejectly analyzes your resume against job postings and:
- Provides an ATS compatibility score
- Lists missing keywords
- Offers improvement suggestions
- Generates an optimized resume
Want to know if your resume passes the ATS test? Get your free analysis now.
Conclusion
Understanding ATS systems is essential in the modern job search process. By making your resume ATS-friendly, you can significantly increase your chances of getting past the digital gatekeepers and into human hands.
Remember: The best resume is one that passes the ATS AND impresses humans.
