Let’s talk about why your resume isn’t getting seen

Hey

Let’s talk about something that’s become extremely popular among people looking for jobs - ATS systems (a.k.a. the algorithm deciding your fate before a human even looks at your resume).

Almost every company now uses some version of an Applicant Tracking System, and with the rise of AI, they’ve gotten a lot smarter, and stricter.

These systems scan your resume for the same keywords, job titles, and skills listed in the job post. If it doesn’t find them? Your resume gets filtered out long before a recruiter ever sees your name.

Basically, your resume needs to be written in a way that machines understands.

How ATS actually works (and what it wants):

Think of ATS like a search engine — it scans for:

• Keywords from the job description (skills, titles, tools).

• Formatting consistency (no tables, headers, or weird symbols).

• Section clarity (Experience, Education, Skills — no creative renames).

In short: if your resume looks great to you but not to the system, it might as well not exist.

Here’s how to make your resume more ATS-friendly (and more human-friendly too):

1. Mirror the language of the job post.

The ATS scans for matching words - like “project management,” “cross-functional collaboration,” or “data analysis.” If the posting says it, it should show up in your resume (authentically).

2. Keep your format simple.

Skip text boxes, fancy columns, and graphics. ATS systems read left to right - just like Google. A clean, single-column layout with clear headers (Experience, Education, Skills) performs best.

3. Be specific about tools and results.

Instead of saying “Worked on analytics initiatives,” say “Used SQL and Google Analytics to improve campaign performance by 25%.”

4. Save and submit as a .docx when possible.

Some older systems struggle with PDFs, especially if they contain formatting or icons. When in doubt, keep it simple.

At the end of the day, your resume’s only job is to get you in the door. Make sure it’s not getting lost before it even gets there.

You’ve worked too hard to be filtered out by a bot - make your resume work just as hard for you.

Talk soon,

Cathy