Is Your Resume Getting Ghosted? It Might Be the ATS! 👻
Ever feel like your job applications are disappearing into the void? You tailor your resume, hit “apply,” and then… crickets. No calls, no emails—just radio silence. It’s not you—it’s the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Most companies (and nearly all federal agencies) use ATS to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume doesn’t match the system’s criteria, it might be auto-rejected before a hiring manager even lays eyes on it. So, how do you beat the bots and get your resume in front of real people?
How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly (And Actually Get Seen)
🔹 Use Standard Formatting – ATS hates creative resumes. Stick to simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), clear headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills), and a basic layout. No fancy graphics, tables, or columns.
🔹 Match Keywords from the Job Description – ATS scans for exact matches to job posting keywords. If the job says “contract negotiation,” but your resume says “vendor agreements,” you might be out of luck. Copy key phrases directly from the job listing.
🔹 Avoid Headers & Footers – Some ATS systems can’t read text in headers or footers. Keep all important info in the main body of your resume.
🔹 Use a Simple File Type – Save your resume as .docx or PDF (unless the job application specifies otherwise). Some ATS can’t read other formats correctly.
🔹 Check Your Resume with an ATS Scanner – Before submitting, run your resume through a free ATS checker like:
Jobscan.io – Compares your resume against a job description and gives a match percentage.
ResumeWorded.com – Provides ATS-friendly formatting tips.
Zety’s ATS Resume Scanner – Helps identify missing keywords and formatting errors.
What Happens If Your Resume Isn’t ATS-Friendly?
It might never reach a human. That’s why making these small changes could be the difference between getting an interview and getting ghosted.
💡 Pro Tip: Even if you beat the ATS, your resume still needs to impress the hiring manager. If you want a resume that’s optimized for both the bots and real people, ResumeExec can help!