Why 70% of Resumes Get Rejected by ATS – And How to Beat It
Here’s the hard truth before we start: most resumes don’t get rejected because the candidate is bad — they get rejected because the resume is invisible to the system reading it.
If you don’t understand how ATS works, you’re basically shouting your qualifications into the void.
Now let’s break this down properly, without fluff, without jargon, and without fake “resume hacks”.
Also read : https://nextgen.way2skills.in/2025/12/digital-skills-students-should-learn-before-2026.html
Why most resumes fail ATS and what actually works?
If you’ve applied for roles that matched your skills and still didn’t hear back, it’s not because you lack talent or qualifications. And no, recruiters are not ignoring you on purpose.
Your resume most likely got rejected before any human saw it.
Welcome to the reality of ATS – Applicant Tracking Systems.
Today, most companies — from startups to MNCs — use ATS to manage job applications. These systems scan, filter, and rank resumes automatically. And according to hiring data, nearly 70% of resumes fail at this stage.
The good news?
Here’s the thing - knowing the reason makes it easier to get past ATS systems. You don’t need to repeat others’ mistakes—just avoid them
Let’s break this down step by step.
What Exactly Is an ATS?
A computer system helps firms manage many job requests at once.
Picture this scenario instead:
- A company posts a job
- 500 people apply
- A human cannot read 500 resumes
- ATS reads them first and filters them
ATS does three basic things:
- Scans your resume
- Looks for keywords and relevance
- Decides whether your resume goes forward or gets rejected
It does not judge your talent.
It only judges how your resume is written.
That’s where most people fail.
The Biggest Myth That’s Killing Your Resume
Many people believe:
| “If my resume looks attractive, recruiters will notice me.”
Wrong.
ATS doesn’t care about:
- Fancy designs
- Colours
- Icons
- Graphics
- Tables
- Two-column layouts
In fact, these things often confuse the system.
What looks beautiful to you may look broken to ATS.
Top Reasons Why ATS Rejects Most Resumes
Let’s be brutally honest here.
1. Wrong Resume Format
This is the #1 reason resumes fail.
ATS reads resumes like plain text. If your resume has:
- Multiple columns
- Text boxes
- Headers and footers
- Images or logos
- Canva-style designs
…then ATS may not read your content correctly at all.
Many candidates unknowingly submit resumes that ATS reads like a scrambled mess.
Reality check:
If ATS can’t read your skills, it assumes you don’t have them.
2. No Proper Keywords
ATS works on keywords, not emotions.
If the job description says:
- “Digital Marketing”
- “SEO”
- “Google Analytics”
And your resume says:
- “Online promotion”
- “Website growth”
- “Traffic tools”
ATS may not match them.
Even if you’ve done the work, wrong wording = rejection.
This is not fair, but it is real.
3. Generic Resume for Every Job
Sending the same resume to every job is lazy — and ATS punishes laziness.
Job descriptions are different.
Skills required are different.
Keywords are different.
ATS compares your resume with that specific job description.
If your resume is generic, your match score is low. Low score = rejection.
4. Overloading With Buzzwords
Some people try to cheat ATS by stuffing keywords everywhere.
Result?
- Poor readability
- No context
- Looks spammy
Modern ATS systems are smarter now. They check keyword relevance, not just quantity.
Using “team player, hardworking, passionate” 20 times won’t help you.
5. Missing Basic Sections
You’d be shocked how many resumes miss simple sections like:
- Skills
- Work experience
- Education
- Contact details
ATS looks for clear structure. If sections are unclear or missing, your resume loses points.
How to Beat ATS (The Right Way)
Now let’s get into solutions that actually work.
1. Use an ATS-Friendly Resume Format
Stick to this:
- Single column
- Simple layout
- No graphics
- No tables
- Black text on white background
Use common headings:
- Summary
- Skills
- Experience
- Education
- Certifications
Simple doesn’t mean boring.
It means readable by machines and humans.
2. Read the Job Description Like a Recruiter
Before editing your resume, do this:
- Copy the job description
- Highlight repeated words and skills
- These are your keywords
A role that heavily focuses on Python needs to see it clearly reflected in your resume, not buried once.
Use the same words, naturally, in your resume.
3. Customize Your Resume (Yes, Every Time)
No shortcuts here.
You don’t need to rewrite everything, but:
- Adjust skills order
- Match keywords
- Change summary slightly
One resume ≠ all jobs.
People who customize get interviews. People who don’t keep applying forever.
4. Write naturally, like a person—not like a robot
ATS may scan first, but humans still read later.
Use clear sentences like:
- “Managed social media campaigns that increased engagement by 40%”
- “Built websites using WordPress for small businesses”
Numbers help. Clear actions help. Real work helps.
Avoid vague lines like:
- “Responsible for various tasks”
- “Worked on multiple projects”
That tells nobody anything.
5. Use a Simple Resume Summary
Your summary should be:
- 3–4 lines
- Clear
- Keyword-rich
- Honest
Example:
| “I work in digital marketing with 3+ years of experience in SEO, content marketing, and analytics, helping small and medium businesses increase traffic and convert more users.”
Simple. Clear. ATS-friendly.
A Personal Reality Check
I’ve seen talented people struggle for months, even years, because their resumes never passed ATS.
One candidate I helped had solid skills, real experience, and confidence — but a heavily designed resume.
Once we converted it into a clean ATS-friendly format and fixed keywords, interview calls started coming within two weeks.
The talent was always there.
The resume was the problem.
What Recruiters Actually Want (After ATS)
Once your resume passes ATS, humans look for:
- Clarity
- Relevance
- Proof of work
- Skills over fancy words
ATS is just the gatekeeper.
Your resume needs to satisfy both the system and the recruiter.
Final Thoughts: Stop Blaming the Job Market
The job market is competitive, yes. But most rejections are avoidable.
If 70% of resumes are rejected by ATS, that means beating ATS already puts you ahead of the majority.
Don’t fight the system.
Understand it. Use it.
Fix your resume once — properly — and you’ll see a real difference.
Please pass along this article to either your friends or individuals interested in employment opportunities. You can help them skip many headaches and months of pointless anxiety.
You should also FOLLOW to this blog for all types of real-world tips/information about your career, how to find a job, how to obtain the skills needed for the job you are seeking, and on what technology to use when looking for work.
Leverage your talent! Don't allow automatic systems to mask the value of your skills.
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FAQ's:
1. What is ATS and why does it reject resumes?
ATS is software that filters resumes based on format and keywords before a recruiter ever sees them.
2. Do resume designs affect ATS results?
Yes, complex designs, graphics, and columns often confuse ATS and cause rejection.
3. Is it necessary to customize a resume for every job?
Yes, matching your resume keywords with the job description greatly improves ATS success.
4. Can a simple resume really perform better than a fancy one?
Absolutely, clean and simple resumes are easier for ATS to read and rank higher.
5. Does passing ATS guarantee a job interview?
No, but it ensures your resume reaches a human recruiter instead of getting rejected early.
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