The toughest part of the job-search process is gaining access to the person with the authority to make hiring decisions. If you can’t connect with the decision-maker, an interview, much less an employment offer, is unlikely.
In the past, sending a persuasive cover letter or making a personal appointment may have been effective. No more.
Today’s job seekers, especially those seeking work in “corporate America,” typically must match wits with machines — namely, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter the candidate field using algorithms and artificial intelligence. Only resumés that pass muster at the robot-review stage proceed to the next round: assessment by an actual human.
Plain, not fancy
Although artificial intelligence and “machine learning” have made significant strides, computers still struggle to handle nuance and recognize creativity. No matter the applicant’s qualifications, a resumé with color graphics and a multi-column layout is unlikely to pass muster with an ATS scanner because the software can’t parse it correctly.
“Formatting issues are a big reason for resumés not being passed through an Applicant Tracking System,” notes Jenna Spathis Resnick, a manager at job recruiter LaSalle Network. “For a resumé to pass screening tools…make sure it is clean and plain.”
“Clean and plain” means avoiding elements interfering with a scanning system’s ability to process information, such as tables, images, and even underlining. It’s best to use a single-column layout and choose a commonly used font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
Choosing the type of file to submit is crucial, too. Sending a resumé in Pages, Apple’s word-processing format, is almost a surefire path to rejection. Some scanning systems even struggle to read PDF files. Experts recommend submitting your resumé in Microsoft Word (.docx extension) unless the job posting specifically requests a PDF.
Keywords are key
Applicant Tracking Systems pinpoint keywords from a company’s employment listings and then scan for close matches in submitted resumés. The more matches a resumé has, the more likely a hiring manager will review it.
That’s why tailoring a resumé to align with what a company is looking for is crucial. If a company is seeking a “skilled project manager with strong organizational ability,” an applicant who fails to use “manage” and “organize” in a submitted resumé is likely to never get past the scanning stage.
In addition to searching for keyword matches, Applicant Tracking Systems also scan for specific evidence of on-the-job effectiveness, so it’s wise to quantify achievements, if possible. For example, a resumé is more ATS-friendly if it reads “Expanded subscriber base by 15% in 2024,” rather than a vague “Added more subscribers.”
Another scanner-friendly tactic (also likely to appeal to a human screener who may review your resumé) is to use action verbs to describe work experience. Examples include “achieved,” “developed,” “implemented,” and “enhanced.”
Make AI your ally
Many employers, including 98% of the Fortune 500 companies, now use artificial intelligence or related technologies to winnow the field of job candidates. Dislike it all you want, but that’s our world in 2025.
In response, many job seekers have decided to follow the adage, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” They are enlisting AI as a job-search ally.
Services such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini can offer helpful resumé and cover letter suggestions. Other AI-powered platforms focus specifically on helping job applicants craft resumés and letters that “speak the language” of Application Tracking Systems.
Companies such as JobScan, Resume Worded, and Teal offer free and paid services that use artificial intelligence and other tools to help job seekers tailor their job applications to specific job openings. On its website, Jobscan claims it has “reverse-engineered all the top ATS and studied recruiter workflows to get you in the ‘yes’ pile.”
Help from above
It is clear from both Scripture and experience that God provides for those who put their faith in Him. At one time or another, all of us have been in situations of significant need and have seen our heavenly Father make a way.
So, when it comes to your job searching, don’t neglect the best of all “best practices.” In addition to following the “practical” suggestions above, prayerfully ask God to provide. An employment search can be wearying and difficult. Humbly ask the Lord of all things to open a door of opportunity for you. Put your faith in the One who rules “even the winds and the waves” (Matthew 8:27).
