What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of all employers use some form of ATS to manage their hiring pipeline. Popular ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo, iCIMS, and BambooHR.
When you submit your resume online, it rarely goes directly to a human recruiter. Instead, the ATS parses your document, extracts key information (contact details, work history, education, skills), and scores it against the job description. Only the highest-scoring resumes make it to a recruiter's desk.
Why Do So Many Resumes Get Rejected by ATS?
In Harvard Business School’s “Hidden Workers” study, 88% of employers said qualified candidates are screened out by ATS filters because they don’t match the exact criteria in the job description. Here are the most common reasons resumes get filtered:
- Missing keywords — The resume doesn't contain enough terms from the job description
- Poor formatting — Tables, columns, headers/footers, and graphics confuse the parser
- Wrong file type — Some ATS platforms can't properly read certain file formats
- Non-standard section headings — Creative titles like "My Journey" instead of "Work Experience"
- Lack of quantifiable achievements — Vague descriptions that don't demonstrate measurable impact
7 Proven Strategies to Beat Any ATS
1. Mirror the Job Description Keywords
The single most important ATS optimization strategy is matching your resume keywords to the job posting. Read the job description carefully and incorporate the exact phrases used. If they say "project management," don't just write "managed projects." Use our free ATS Resume Scanner to compare your resume against any job description instantly.
2. Use Standard Section Headings
Stick with conventional resume section names that every ATS can recognize: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Certifications," and "Summary." Avoid creative alternatives like "Where I've Made an Impact" or "My Toolbox."
3. Choose ATS-Compatible Formatting
Keep your resume in a single-column layout without tables, text boxes, or multi-column designs. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman between 10–12pt. Save as .docx or .pdf (check the job posting for preferred format).
4. Include Both Hard and Soft Skills
Modern ATS systems scan for both technical skills (Python, SQL, Tableau) and soft skills (leadership, communication, problem-solving). Include a dedicated "Skills" section and weave key skills into your experience bullet points.
5. Quantify Your Achievements
Replace vague statements with specific metrics. Instead of "Improved sales performance," write "Increased quarterly sales revenue by 34% ($2.1M) through implementation of targeted outbound strategy." Numbers jump off the page for both ATS algorithms and human reviewers.
6. Tailor Your Resume for Every Application
A generic resume will never score as well as a tailored one. For each job application, adjust your summary, skills section, and experience bullets to reflect the specific requirements listed. This doesn't mean fabricating experience — it means emphasizing the most relevant parts of your background.
7. Test Your Resume Before Submitting
Before you hit "Apply," run your resume through an ATS resume scanner tool to check your keyword match rate and identify missing skills. Our free scanner compares your resume against any job description and gives you an instant match score with actionable recommendations. For a detailed breakdown of how to interpret those results, check out our complete guide on reading your ATS sample report.
The Bottom Line
Beating ATS isn't about gaming the system — it's about clearly communicating why you're qualified in a format that both software and humans can understand. Focus on keyword alignment, clean formatting, quantified achievements, and customization for each role. Scan your resume for free now to see exactly where you stand.