Reasons Your Resume is Being Ignored by ATS
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that streamlines recruitment by collecting, sorting, and ranking resumes based on job-specific criteria. More than 90% of Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS to manage large volumes of applications efficiently.
ATS helps employers identify candidates whose resumes closely align with the job description, saving recruiters valuable time and effort. In this artcile, we briefly review what an ATS is and how it works, and we also delve into what you, as a job seeker, need to know to boost your chances of having your resume reviewed by human recruiters.
How ATS Works:
Here's the step-by-step process of how an ATS works:
1. Application Collection
ATS gathers and centralizes resumes from:
- Job Portals: Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and company career pages.
- Manual Uploads: Resumes shared via email, referrals, or direct uploads by recruiters.
Centralization allows for efficient organization and analysis of applications.
2. Resume Parsing – Breaking Resumes into Sections
Once uploaded, the ATS parses resumes, breaking them into key sections:
This structured format enables recruiters to search for specific details efficiently.
3. Resume Keyword Matching
ATS scans resumes for:
- Keywords and Phrases: Skills, certifications, and experiences relevant to the job description.
- Keyword Frequency: How often relevant keywords appear.
For a resume to rank high, it must closely align with the keywords listed in the job description.
4. Resume Ranking and Filtering
The ATS ranks resumes based on:
- Keyword relevance and placement
- Formatting clarity for accurate parsing
- Alignment with job requirements
This process ensures recruiters can focus on top-ranked candidates quickly and efficiently.
Does ATS Auto-Reject Resumes?
A common myth is that ATS automatically rejects resumes missing keywords or containing complex formatting. In reality, ATS does not reject your resume automatically. ATS ranks resumes based on relevance, but the final rejection decision rests with human recruiters.
Missing keywords, unsupported formats, or poor layouts may lower your ATS score, making your resume less likely to be reviewed.
Pre-Screening Questions: The Reason for Quick Rejections
Instant rejections often stem from knockout questions—pre-screening filters that assess non-negotiable job requirements, such as:
- “Do you require sponsorship to work?”
- “Do you have X certification?”
Answering these unfavorably can disqualify your application immediately.
ATS systems may use AI-powered screening in the future to infer answers to some knockout questions without directly asking job seekers. For instance, if a PhD is required but your resume lists only a Bachelor’s degree, the AI may automatically filter you out.
While this approach is efficient, it has the risk of excluding strong candidates due to potential AI errors.
Two Main Factors ATS Ignores Your Resume
1. Missing Keywords on Your Resume
ATS scans for terms related to skills, tools, and qualifications from the job description.
For example, if the job emphasizes “Python programming” and “data visualization,” these keywords must appear naturally in your resume under sections like Work Experience or Skills. Missing keywords can significantly lower your ATS match score, even if you’re qualified for the role.
Feel free to try our free keyword analyzer, embedded in our job tracker, to identify the most important keywords for the job you are applying for.
2. Using a Resume Format That Is Not ATS-Friendly
Formatting issues can confuse ATS during resume parsing. To ensure your resume is ATS-friendly:
- Avoid tables, columns, graphics, or text boxes.
- Use clear headings like “Work Experience” and “Education.”
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Example of ATS Parsing Errors
An ATS may encounter parsing errors when processing resumes with complex formats. These errors often depend on the advancement of the ATS parser, meaning a resume that is parsed correctly by one system might fail in another.
Example of Parsing Errors:
If a job seeker uses tables to organize their resume content:
The ATS might misread the above resume content as below:
- “Azure Led a team of 15 engineers...”
- “Network Integrated a data pipeline...”
- Optimizarion
The system reads resume content line by line, often disregarding the formatting you had. These parsing issues can create significant problems, especially when they result in breaking up important keywords.
For example, a keyword like "Network Optimization" might be split into two separate words—"Network" and "Optimization". As a result, the screening tools may fail to recognize that you possess this skill, which can lower your ATS match score and reduce your chances of being shortlisted.
These parsing errors lower your resume's relevance. To avoid this, use a clean, simple format that ensures every section is readable.
Key Takeaways for Job Seekers
- Optimize your Resume for Keywords: Tailor your resume using relevant keywords from the job description.
- Use ATS-Friendly Formatting: Avoid tables, graphics, and unconventional layouts.
- Understand Knockout Questions: Ensure you meet critical job requirements before applying.
Need help optimizing your resume?
- Use our Free Job Description Analyzer to identify the job description's keywords.
- Use our AI Role Assessment to check your resume score for a specific job, see our recommendation ,and address highlighted gaps.
- Tailor your resume professionally in under a minute with our AI Resume Tailoring Tool
- Looking for a proven, ATS-friendly resume template? Subscribe to our plans and gain access to 10+ ATS-optimized resume formats to help you stand out in your job search.
