Why your resume isn’t getting interviews (even if you’re qualified)

If you’re applying to roles and hearing crickets, it’s often not your experience—it’s your resume’s readability, targeting, and ATS compatibility. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can struggle with certain formatting and may rank you lower if your content doesn’t align with the job description.

Below are 7 high-impact fixes you can make in under an hour.

1) Make your layout ATS-proof

ATS tools prefer clean structure.

Do this:

• Use a single-column format
• Stick to standard headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
• Use a simple font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)

Avoid:

• Tables, text boxes, icons, or graphics
• Headers/footers for key info (some ATS can’t parse them well)

2) Replace “job duties” with measurable impact

Hiring teams scan for outcomes, not task lists.

Try this bullet formula:

• Action verb + what you did + tool/skill + measurable result

Example:

• “Automated weekly reporting in Excel/Power Query, reducing manual work by 6 hours/week.”

3) Match keywords (but don’t copy-paste)

Most ATS rankings are keyword-driven. Your resume should reflect the role’s language.

Quick method:

• Highlight 10–15 repeated terms in the job posting (skills, tools, responsibilities)
• Add the ones you truly have into Skills and relevant Experience bullets

Tip: Keywords matter more when they appear in context (e.g., “Led SQL-based analysis…”) not just in a list.

4) Tighten your summary to 2–3 lines

Your summary should answer: Who are you + what roles you target + what you’re strongest at.

Template:

• “[Role] with [X] years in [domain]. Strong in [top 2–3 skills]. Known for [impact/result].”

5) Make each role skimmable in 10 seconds

Recruiters skim fast. Help them.

Aim for:

• 4–6 bullets for recent roles
• 2–4 bullets for older roles
• Bullets starting with strong verbs: Led, Built, Improved, Designed, Delivered

6) Put the right skills in the right place

A strong Skills section boosts ATS matching.

Structure it like:

• Skills: SQL, Python, Tableau, stakeholder management, forecasting

Keep it honest—anything listed should be defendable in an interview.

7) Check file type and naming

Small detail, big impact.

• Submit as PDF unless the employer requests DOCX
• Name it clearly: FirstLast_Role_Resume.pdf

Quick self-audit (60 seconds)

• Can a stranger understand your last job’s impact from the first 2 bullets?
• Do your top skills match the posting’s top requirements?
• Does your resume avoid tables, columns, and graphics?

Your turn: What’s the #1 resume change you made that improved your interview rate—or what’s the biggest resume challenge you’re stuck on right now?