Why good resumes still get rejected

If you’re applying to roles you’re qualified for but hearing nothing back, it’s often not your experience—it’s how your resume is being read (or misread). Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan for keywords, job titles, and date/format patterns before a human ever sees your document.

Below are eight quick, practical fixes that can dramatically improve your odds—without rewriting your entire resume.

1) Match the job title (without lying)

ATS often prioritizes resumes that mirror the exact job title. If your previous title was “Customer Success Ninja,” consider adding a more standard equivalent:

• Customer Success Manager (Customer Success Ninja)

2) Use a clean, ATS-safe layout

Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns that can scramble your content.

• Stick to one column
• Use standard section headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
• Keep fonts simple (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)

3) Put the right keywords in the right places

Sprinkling keywords randomly isn’t as effective as placing them where ATS expects:

• Skills section: tools, platforms, hard skills
• Experience bullets: responsibilities + outcomes
• Summary: your niche and strongest keywords (2–4 lines)

4) Turn responsibilities into outcomes

A strong bullet follows: Action + Scope + Result.

• Weak: “Managed email campaigns.”
• Strong: “Managed 12+ lifecycle email campaigns, improving trial-to-paid conversion by 18% in one quarter.”

5) Fix your dates and locations

ATS can struggle with creative formats. Use consistent patterns:

• Jan 2023 – Dec 2024 | City, ST If you worked remotely, use: Remote (not emojis or icons).

6) Right-size your resume length

Length matters less than relevance, but as a rule of thumb:

• 0–5 years: 1 page
• 5–10 years: 1–2 pages
• 10+ years: 2 pages is normal (if it’s high-impact)

7) Update your skills section (and make it scannable)

Group skills so both ATS and humans can scan quickly:

• Tools: Salesforce, HubSpot, Excel
• Methods: A/B testing, forecasting, stakeholder management
• Technical: SQL, Python (if relevant)

8) Save and name your file like a professional

Avoid “Resume_Final_FINAL2.pdf.” Use:

• FirstLast_Role_Resume.pdf Example: JordanLee_ProductManager_Resume.pdf

Quick self-check before you apply

Before submitting, ask:

• Can I find the top 5 keywords from the job post in my resume?
• Does each role have 2–5 quantified bullets?
• Are my headings simple (no icons) and easy to parse?

Which of these fixes do you think would make the biggest difference on your resume right now—and why?