Your Resume vs. the ATS: Here's How to Win

Author

Dr. Hirestein
March 23, 2025

You’ve Done Everything Right. So Why Aren’t You Getting Interviews?

You spent hours perfecting your resume. You’ve applied to dozens of jobs. You refresh your inbox, waiting for a recruiter to reach out.

Nothing.

You start to wonder—was it something you said? Something you didn’t say? Did they even see your application?

Here’s the truth: most resumes don’t even make it past the first digital checkpoint. The system isn’t built to give you a fair shot. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck.

At Job Search Genius, we help job seekers break through the resume black hole. We rewrite your resume, optimize your LinkedIn, and coach you to stand out—so when recruiters do see your profile, they can’t ignore you.

Ready to stop spinning your wheels?

 Book a free 1:1 career consult with one of our expert coaches. We’ll help you map out your next 90 days—and give you access to over 2,100 tech recruiters who are actively hiring.

Let’s get you seen, heard, and hired.

Here’s the truth—75% of resumes never even reach a recruiter’s desk. They get filtered out by the ATS before a human ever sees them.

But not yours. Not after today. We’re breaking down exactly how to outsmart the ATS and get your resume where it belongs—in front of decision-makers. 

Let’s go!

1️⃣ Use a Simple, Clean Format

💡 Why? 
ATS struggles with fancy designs, images, and multi-column layouts.

🔬 Test: 
We submitted two resumes—one clean and simple, one with graphics and columns. The flashy one got rejected instantly.

✅ The Fix:

• Stick to a single-column layout

• Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri

• Save as a Word document or PDF

2️⃣ Use the Right Keywords

💡 Why? 
ATS scans for specific words from the job description.

🔬 Test: 
We applied to 100 jobs—one with a keyword-optimized resume, one generic. The keyword-rich version got 3x more interview invites.

✅ The Fix:

• Copy key skills and phrases straight from the job post

• Example: If a job asks for “project management” and “Agile methodologies,” use both

3️⃣ Match Your Job Titles to the Industry

💡 Why? 
Recruiters search for industry-standard job titles—not creative ones.

🔬 Test: 
Changing "Customer Success Ninja" to "Customer Success Manager" boosted interview rates.

✅ The Fix:

• Keep titles clear and professional

• Example: "Marketing Rockstar" → "Marketing Manager"

4️⃣ Stick to Standard Resume Sections

💡 Why? 
ATS categorizes info based on common section titles.

🔬 Test: 
Resumes with “My Story” as a heading got lost. Those with “Experience” and “Skills” were ATS-approved.

✅ The Fix:

• Use Education, Experience, Skills, and Certifications

• No creative section names!

5️⃣ Avoid Headers, Footers & Graphics

💡 Why? 
ATS ignores text in headers, footers, and images.

🔬 Test: 
Contact details in a header disappeared when scanned by ATS.

✅ The Fix:

• Keep all important info in the main body

• Avoid tables, text boxes, or logos

Your Resume Deserves to Be Seen!

Follow these five steps, and you won’t just beat the ATS—you’ll land in front of the right recruiters. Want to fast-track your job search?

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Takeaway: Watch out for vague listings, no updates for weeks, or roles reposted constantly. If it feels fishy, it probably is.

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Takeaway: Don’t panic—but do plan. Now’s the time to reskill, pivot, and future-proof your career.

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Takeaway: Financial resilience now looks like flexibility, not just credentials. Diversifying income is smart, not desperate.

You deserve more interviews (and fewer “we’ve decided to move forward” emails).

Let’s write a cover letter that actually works—and map out your next best steps.

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