Why 78% of Resumes Never Get Seen
The hidden gatekeeper standing between you and your dream job
What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to manage job applications. Think of it as a digital gatekeeper that scans, sorts, and ranks resumes before any human ever sees them.
How It Works
- • Scans your resume for keywords
- • Compares your skills to job requirements
- • Assigns a "match score" (usually 0-100%)
- • Ranks candidates based on that score
- • Only top-scoring resumes reach recruiters
Who Uses It
- • 99% of Fortune 500 companies
- • 78% of large employers
- • Most mid-size companies (100+ employees)
- • Popular systems: Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse, Lever
The Problem for Job Seekers
Your Resume Might Never Be Seen
Studies show that 78% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever looks at them. That means even if you're the perfect candidate, your resume could be automatically filtered out because of:
- Wrong file format (fancy PDFs, images, tables)
- Missing keywords from the job description
- Non-standard section headers ("Professional Journey" instead of "Experience")
- Graphics, icons, or creative layouts
It's Not Personal. It's Volume.
Here's the reality HR teams face:
314
Applications per job posting
6 seconds
Average time spent per resume
1 recruiter
May handle 50+ open roles
ATS was created to help overwhelmed HR teams manage this flood of applications. But the unintended consequence? Qualified candidates get filtered out simply because their resume doesn't speak the ATS's language.
How to Beat the ATS
Match Keywords Exactly
If the job says "project management," don't write "managed projects." ATS systems are often literal. Use the exact phrases from the job posting.
Use Standard Section Headers
Stick with "Experience," "Education," "Skills" instead of creative alternatives like "My Journey" or "What I Bring."
Avoid Graphics and Tables
Those beautiful resume templates? ATS can't read them. Keep it simple. Plain text with clear formatting.
Tailor Every Application
A generic resume won't cut it. Each job has different keywords and requirements. Your resume needs to match each one specifically.