10 Resume Mistakes That Get You Rejected by ATS (And How to Fix Them)
Many job seekers put significant effort into building their resumes, yet still face rejection after rejection. In most cases, these resumes are not rejected by humans but by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS software is designed to filter applications automatically, and even small mistakes can cause a resume to be eliminated before it reaches a recruiter.
Understanding these mistakes — and knowing how to fix them — can dramatically improve your chances of passing the first screening stage. Below are ten common resume mistakes that lead to ATS rejection, along with clear explanations and practical solutions.
1. Ignoring Job Description Keywords
ATS systems are built around keyword matching. When an employer posts a job, the ATS scans resumes for specific words and phrases related to skills, tools, qualifications, and responsibilities. If your resume does not include enough of these keywords, the system may rank it as irrelevant.
This does not mean copying the job description word for word. Instead, you should identify important terms and integrate them naturally into your resume.
How to fix it:
Read the job description carefully and highlight repeated skills, tools, and requirements. Use these terms in your resume summary, skills section, and work experience where they accurately reflect your background.
2. Using a Generic Resume Summary
A generic summary such as “motivated professional seeking opportunities” does little to help ATS systems or recruiters understand your suitability for a role. Generic summaries lack keywords and fail to show alignment with the job.
ATS systems use summaries as an early indicator of relevance. If your summary does not clearly match the role, your resume may be ranked lower.
How to fix it:
Write a tailored summary for each job application. Mention the job title, core skills, and relevant experience using language similar to the job description. This immediately improves keyword alignment and clarity.
3. Over-Designing the Resume
Design-heavy resumes may look visually appealing but often perform poorly in ATS screening. Elements such as tables, columns, images, icons, and graphics can confuse ATS software and disrupt text parsing.
When ATS systems fail to read your resume correctly, important information like skills or job titles may be ignored.
How to fix it:
Use a clean, single-column layout with standard fonts and clear headings. Focus on readability rather than design. A simple resume is far more effective for ATS systems.
4. Using Creative or Vague Job Titles
Creative job titles may reflect personality, but ATS systems rely on standard job titles to understand experience. Titles like “Operations Ninja” or “Logistics Guru” may confuse the system and reduce relevance.
ATS software compares job titles directly with those listed in the job description.
How to fix it:
Use clear, industry-recognized job titles that closely match the role you’re applying for. If your official title was creative, you can include a standard title in parentheses.
5. Missing a Dedicated Skills Section
Many ATS systems scan resumes specifically for a skills section. If skills are scattered throughout the resume or not clearly listed, keyword recognition may be reduced.
A missing or poorly structured skills section can significantly lower your resume’s match score.
How to fix it:
Create a clear skills section with bullet points listing relevant technical and soft skills. Make sure these skills align with the job description.
6. Describing Duties Instead of Achievements
Listing job duties without results provides limited value. ATS systems and recruiters prefer resumes that show impact and outcomes, not just responsibilities.
For example, “handled warehouse operations” is vague and less effective.
How to fix it:
Focus on achievements and results. Use measurable outcomes where possible.
Example:
Instead of “handled warehouse operations”, write “met daily picking targets while maintaining WHS compliance and accuracy standards.”
7. Submitting the Same Resume for Every Job
Using one resume for every job application is one of the most common mistakes job seekers make. ATS systems compare resumes against specific job descriptions, not general qualifications.
A resume that works for one role may perform poorly for another.
How to fix it:
Tailor your resume for each job by adjusting keywords, summary statements, and experience descriptions. Even small changes can significantly improve your match score.
8. Inconsistent Formatting and Structure
Inconsistent bullet points, spacing, and alignment can interfere with ATS parsing. When resumes are not structured consistently, ATS systems may misread or skip information.
Poor structure also reduces readability for recruiters.
How to fix it:
Use consistent formatting throughout your resume. Keep bullet styles, spacing, and section headings uniform. A clean structure benefits both ATS systems and human readers.
9. Including Too Much Irrelevant Information
Adding unrelated experience, outdated roles, or excessive personal details can dilute your resume’s relevance. ATS systems prioritize resumes that closely match job requirements.
Too much irrelevant information can lower your overall score.
How to fix it:
Focus on experience and skills that directly support the role you are applying for. Remove or shorten sections that are not relevant to the job.
10. Skipping Final Review Before Applying
Many resumes are submitted without being reviewed against the job description. This leads to missed keywords, alignment issues, and avoidable errors.
A rushed submission often results in rejection.
How to fix it:
Before applying, review your resume side-by-side with the job description. Check for missing skills, unclear wording, and formatting issues. A short review can prevent unnecessary rejection.
How Fixing These Mistakes Improves Results
Correcting these mistakes improves ATS compatibility and increases the likelihood of reaching the recruiter stage. Small changes in wording, structure, and focus often lead to significant improvements in resume performance.
When your resume aligns closely with the job description, ATS systems rank it higher, giving it a better chance of being reviewed by a human recruiter.
Final Thoughts
ATS rejection is often preventable. By understanding common resume mistakes and making targeted improvements, job seekers can dramatically increase their chances of passing automated screening and getting interview calls.
Before applying again, take the time to analyze your resume carefully. Fixing small issues can make a big difference in your job search results.
🔎 People Also Ask (ATS Resume Rejection)
Why does ATS reject resumes even if I’m qualified?
ATS systems reject resumes based on keyword mismatch, formatting issues, and low relevance to the job description. Even qualified candidates can be filtered out if their resume language does not closely match the role requirements.
How many keywords should I include in my resume for ATS?
There is no fixed number, but your resume should naturally include the most important skills, tools, and terms mentioned in the job description. Focus on relevance rather than keyword stuffing.
Can resume formatting cause ATS rejection?
Yes. Complex formatting such as tables, columns, images, or graphics can prevent ATS systems from reading resumes correctly, leading to missing or misinterpreted information.
Is it bad to use the same resume for every job application?
Yes. ATS systems compare resumes directly to job descriptions. Using the same resume for every application often results in low match scores and rejection.
Do ATS systems read PDF resumes?
Most ATS systems can read PDFs, but poorly formatted PDFs may cause parsing issues. A simple, text-based PDF or Word document is generally safest.
What is a good ATS resume match score?
A match score above 70% is generally considered strong and increases the chances of reaching a recruiter. Scores below 50% often indicate missing keywords or misalignment.
How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?
An ATS-friendly resume uses clear headings, standard fonts, job-specific keywords, and simple formatting. Testing your resume against a job description can reveal potential issues.
Does ATS reject resumes automatically?
Yes. Many ATS systems automatically filter out low-scoring resumes without any human review, especially for high-volume job postings.
Can ATS systems understand job experience written differently?
ATS systems rely heavily on exact or closely related wording. If experience is described using very different language than the job description, the system may not recognize it as relevant.
How can I fix ATS rejection quickly?
The fastest way is to compare your resume with the job description, add missing keywords, clarify experience, simplify formatting, and tailor the resume for that specific role.