How to Write Resumes That Get Picked Up by Applicant Tracking Systems
Technology powers nearly everything businesses do these days, and that includes hiring and recruitment. Applicant tracking systems can help companies streamline job searches, automatically filtering out resumes from candidates who aren’t a good fit.
But as with any technology, these solutions aren’t perfect. Some job seekers are concerned their resumes are getting unfairly filtered out before a human even looks at them.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for jobs in a technology-driven era. Plus, some expert tips on working with applicant tracking systems, rather than against them.
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What Are Applicant Tracking Systems?
At one time, hirers had to sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes to find the right candidate. Weeding out the wholly unqualified applicants took time, as did narrowing down the resumes to the small percentage who would get an interview.
As with everything, though, that weeding-out process can now be automated. Applicant tracking systems can:
- Post jobs on behalf of a hirer
- Collect cover letters, applications and resumes
- Scan resumes to identify those who meet certain qualifications
- Schedule job interviews
- Send notifications to applicants
But on the applicant side of things, applicant tracking systems, or ATSs, serve as gatekeepers. Job hunters worry their resumes may be inappropriately penalized based on formatting or use of certain words. But is it true? And how do you prevent it? We’re here to talk about those misconceptions to help with your job search.
Myth vs. Fact: Are Applicant Tracking Systems Setting Job Seekers Back?
First, it’s important to tackle some of the top myths floating around about ATSs. Here are the most common.
Myth: ATSs Automatically Reject 75% of Resumes
Applicant tracking systems are designed to make life easier for hiring managers. As such, certain resumes will often be eliminated during scans. But as Eric Cheng, co-founder and CEO of an AI-driven job search copilot called Jobright, points out, a 75% automatic rejection is an oversimplification.
“While there’s no automatic rejection quota, our data definitely shows that poorly optimized resumes significantly hurt your chances,” Cheng said. “It varies wildly by position and company, but we’ve consistently seen that well-optimized resumes boost interview chances by at least 50% compared to generic ones. The system isn’t rejecting you — it’s just not surfacing your application to human eyes.”
Myth: If You Don’t Have the Exact Keywords, You Won’t Get Seen
A common myth is that simply keyword stuffing your resume will help you beat the bots. But Cheng said that’s no longer the case. Modern systems, he explains, use semantic matching that can recognize related terms.
“They’re smarter than they used to be,” Cheng adds. “That said, I still strongly recommend using the exact terminology from the job description whenever possible, especially for technical skills. Why take the chance?”
Myth: ATS Software Only Looks at the First Page of a Resume
Job seekers often make the incorrect assumption that ATSs only scan the first page, discarding the rest. But Sam Wright, head of operations and partnerships at Huntr, mentions an important reason to put extra work into your first page.
“Recruiters typically spend limited time (seven seconds) reviewing resumes, so prioritize the most relevant content on the first page,” Wright said.
Myth: Fancy Resume Designs Improve Your Chances
Fancy designs don’t impress the software. They may actually get in the way of your information getting through the system. For both human and artificial resume reviewers, simple design works best.
“Most corporate roles require clean, simple formatting,” Cheng advises. “Fancy resume designs not only distract human reviewers, but they also don’t parse correctly in ATSs, which can cause key information to get lost.”
Myth: Resume-Writing Services Can ATS-Optimize Your Resume
Some resume-writing services promise to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems. But does that mean it’s necessary to pay someone to ensure your resume is seen? No. You can likely do similar work yourself by reviewing the job requirements and ensuring your listed experience reflects your suitability for the position. That said, resume-writing services do have value, both with ATS and human reviewers.
“As for investing in resume writing services, I do recommend using them, especially if a candidate isn’t particularly well versed in communicating succinctly,” said Cristina Cadima, human resources manager at Hubstaff. “Bringing in a resume writer can help a candidate highlight their achievements and skillsets in a manner that will be meaningful to the screening of an ATS as well as a hiring manager.”
How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume
Now that we’ve debunked some myths, you may be wondering exactly what you can do to boost your chances of making it to a hirer’s desk. Here are some expert tips on writing an ATS-friendly resume.
1. Use the Right Keywords
Yes, semantic matching has made keywords less crucial, but that doesn’t mean they don’t help. Cheng said an ATS will scan your resume, categorizing your keywords and generating a match score that the human resources professional can use to gauge whether you’re a good fit.
“Recruiters typically spend 6-10 seconds reviewing a resume, focusing first on the summary, then the skills section and finally recent work experience,” Cheng said. “To improve your chances, extract the top five key skills from the job description and integrate them naturally into your resume. Don’t just list them — demonstrate how you applied them in previous roles with concrete examples. Avoid keyword stuffing. ATSs prioritize context and real experience over repetition.”
2. Stick to Standard Formatting
Don’t spend hours trying to make your resume visually appealing. Wright points out that many modern ATSs feature generative AI, which has improved the software’s ability to parse resumes.
“Still, not going overboard stylistically is a good bet,” Wright adds. “Remember, even for humans quickly reviewing resumes this can make it difficult to read.”
3. Use Simple and Clear Language
It can be tempting to load your resume with industry jargon and fancy job titles. But Cheng emphasizes the importance of using the right language. Creative job titles, for instance, are a big issue with ATSs.
“If your title is something like ‘wizard of customer delight,’ pair it with a standardized equivalent, such as ‘customer success manager’ in parentheses, to ensure the ATS recognizes it,” Cheng said.
Now that applicant tracking systems are a common tool for companies, candidates need to take a closer look at their resumes. Clear, succinct language and simple but professional design are still king when it comes to resume writing. Online scanning tools and resume-writing services can help if you’re feeling like your resume might be getting in the way of landing your dream job.
Stephanie Faris is a professional finance writer with more than a decade of experience. Her work has been featured on a variety of top finance sites, including Money Under 30, GoBankingRates, Retirable, Sapling and Sifter.
