Are you applying to what feels like hundreds of open positions, yet aren’t getting a call back for an interview? Do you have all the qualifications for top positions, but can’t seem to get a hiring manager’s ear?
Even the most qualified professionals find their experience and expertise overlooked when applying for jobs. The problem may not be the number of applicants applying for a role. It might be whether their resumes are being seen at all.
The resume screening process has fundamentally changed in 2025. Yet many skilled professionals haven’t adapted their approach to ensure they’re getting noticed in the job hunt.
There are some key reasons why your glowing resume is going unnoticed. Let’s break them down and take the right steps to fix your application today.
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Resume Screening is the New Normal
Before you start tweaking your resume, you should know exactly what you’re up against.
Resume screening has become a sophisticated process. And, thanks to technology, you’re likely being overlooked if you aren’t optimizing your resume and application for automation and identification:
- Up to 90% of resumes never reach a human recruiter because they’re filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This can be due to formatting issues, missing keywords, or lack of tailoring to the job description.
- Recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to move forward. That’s barely enough time to skim your name, current role, and a few bullet points.
- Most resumes don’t make it past the first screening. And less than 3% result in a job interview, regardless of your qualifications.
- For a typical IT role, only 4-6 out of 250+ applicants get an interview. Standing out isn’t just important — it’s essential.
- 88% of employers believe they lose highly qualified candidates because those candidates submit resumes that aren’t ATS-friendly.
Why Your Resume Is Being Overlooked: ATS Rejection Factors
Many companies, especially IT companies, use ATS software to help filter candidates for open roles. This means that automation occurs far before a human hiring manager ever sees a resume or application.
What’s keeping your resume from getting through?
Your Resume Has Too Much Complex Formatting
There was a time when you wanted your resume to look great. But now, applicant tracking systems will get confused if there are too many tables, columns, headers, footers, images, and graphics.
You’ll want to make sure your resume has a clean, single-column layout with standard section headings. Always save your resume as a simple PDF without locked features — you want to make sure your resume actually gets analyzed at all!
Missing The Right Keywords Keeps Qualified Candidates Out
If your resume doesn’t contain the exact terms and phrases from the job description, the ATS may determine you’re not a match. Even if you have the equivalent skills, using the wrong terminology can push your resume off the pile early.
As you write your resume, carefully review each job description and incorporate the exact technical skills, tools, platforms, and certifications into your resume, especially if it’s a skill you specialize in.
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AI is Changing the Way Resumes Get Read
Many companies are taking resume screening a step further by using artificial intelligence (AI) to sort, scan and rank hundreds of candidates, long before a human recruiter gets involved.
These AI tools work inside the ATS software and are trained to recognize which resumes are worth passing along. They scan for specific keywords, evaluate your job titles and skills, and even predict how well you might fit the role based on patterns from past hires.
So, what does this mean for you?
A recruiter isn’t just skimming your resume — it’s being judged by a machine looking for exact matches. If your language doesn’t mirror the job description or your formatting throws off the scanner, your resume could be rejected before anyone ever sees it.
Here’s how to improve your chances:
- Use the right keywords. Match the language in the job posting, especially for tools, platforms, and certifications.
- Keep formatting simple. Stick to a clean, single-column layout with standard headers and no tables or graphics.
- Add a clear skills section. This makes it easier for AI to understand your qualifications quickly.
AI might sound intimidating, but once you understand how it works, you can use it to your advantage — and help your resume make it to the next round.
What Makes Human Resume Reviewers Pass You Up
Even if your resume makes it past the ATS, it still needs to impress a human recruiter who has dozens or hundreds of other resumes to review. So you want to make sure your resume stands out and is easy to browse.
Here are some of the top reasons human reviewers may pass up your ATS-approved resume:
Your Resume Has Generic Content That Doesn’t Catch Their Eye
Many professionals list their technical skills and job responsibilities without tailoring their content to the specific role.
Generic statements like “experienced in software development” or “proficient in database management” don’t set you apart from other top candidates in your field.
Instead, replace generic descriptions with specific technical accomplishments (like you do with keywords) that showcase your expertise and directly relate to the target role’s requirements.
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A Lack of Quantifiable Achievements Makes It Difficult for Recruiters to Assess Your Impact.
Just like a business relies on stats to land a sale, you need to make sure you have hard data to showcase your success.
Without metrics and specific outcomes (like “reduced system downtime by 40%” or “managed cloud migration saving $200K annually”), recruiters can’t easily determine your value and ability to fill the role.
Add numbers wherever possible — and always be ready to defend those statistics if you make it to an interview.
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If Your Resume Is Hard to Read, They’ll Pass It Up Instantly
Dense paragraphs, inconsistent formatting, and tiny fonts make hiring teams pass up resumes for the next best option.
Use concise bullet points (not paragraphs) and stick to consistent formatting. Think about how you would want to skim a document for the most critical information, including the font size and spacing.
If Your Resume Isn’t Tailored to The Role, It Shows a Lack of Interest
The age of AI means that you can create and send out resumes to almost every job possible in an instant. But if you submit a generic resume, you’re likely missing the chance to highlight your expertise for that specific job, and you can bet the hiring team will notice.
Create a master resume with all your experience and customize it for each application. Rearrange content as necessary and ensure your resume aligns with the job at hand.
You Can Get Your Resume in Front of Hiring Teams
The job market for IT professionals is competitive, but that doesn’t mean getting noticed is impossible. Taking the time to implement these enhancements can boost your chances of interviewing with employers faster.
Remember: your resume is often your first and only chance to make an impression. Each application deserves the time and attention required to customize your presentation for that specific opportunity. While this may take more effort than sending the same generic resume to dozens of postings, the increased response rate makes it well worth the investment.
Enhance Your Chances of Success
For many professionals, partnering with a specialized staffing agency like BravoTECH provides a strategic advantage. Our industry experts understand what hiring managers are looking for in today’s market and can help position your experience for maximum impact.
Don’t let your valuable experience and technical skills go unnoticed because of an outdated resume strategy. Contact BravoTECH today to learn how our recruiting experts can help you showcase your skills and connect with the perfect opportunity.
Head to jobs.bravotech.com to see our open opportunities.
