An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) isn't smart AI; often, it's just a rigid parser. If it can't read your phone number because it's inside a text box, it assumes you don't have a phone number. If it can't read your job title because of a fancy font, it assumes you have no experience.
Here are the 10 most common "Killers" that cause parsing failures.
Text Boxes & Floating Elements
The Killer
ATS parsers read left-to-right, top-to-bottom. Content inside a floating text box is often skipped entirely or read at the very end of the document, completely out of context.
The Fix
Use standard page margins and alignment. Avoid 'Insert > Text Box' in Word.
Tables and Columns
The Killer
Parsers may read across rows instead of down columns. Your 'Skills' column might get merged with your 'Dates' column, creating gibberish like 'JavaScript 2018-2020 Python'.
The Fix
Use simple tab stops for alignment. If using columns, ensure they are true document columns, not a table structure.
Header/Footer Information
The Killer
Some older ATS systems ignore headers and footers completely. If your contact info is hidden in the header, the recruiter can't call you.
The Fix
Put your Name, Email, and Phone in the main body of the document, right at the top.
Graphics, Icons, and Charts
The Killer
That cool progress bar showing '90% Skill in Photoshop'? The ATS sees an image file and ignores it. It reads zero text, so it thinks you have zero skill.
The Fix
Use text: 'Expert in Photoshop' or 'Advanced Proficiency'.
Non-Standard Fonts
The Killer
If the ATS doesn't have your custom font installed, it converts it to bullets or squares. Your beautiful typography becomes unreadable code.
The Fix
Stick to system-safe fonts: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Roboto, Times New Roman, Georgia.
Creative Headings
The Killer
Using 'Professional Journey' instead of 'Experience' or 'About Me' instead of 'Summary'. The ATS looks for specific headers to categorize data.
The Fix
Be boring. Use standard headers: Experience, Education, Skills, Summary.
Inconsistent Dates
The Killer
Writing 'Jan 2020' then '02/2021' then 'Summer 2022'. Inconsistent formats confuse the timeline parser, leading to errors in calculating your total years of experience.
The Fix
Pick one format (e.g., MM/YYYY or Month YYYY) and stick to it strictly.
PDFs with No Text Layer
The Killer
Saving your resume as an image-based PDF (like from Canva). If you can't highlight the text with your mouse, the ATS can't read it.
The Fix
Export as a text-based PDF. Test by trying to copy-paste text from your file.
Hyperlinks on Important Keywords
The Killer
While clickable links are great for humans, some parsers strip the link anchor text entirely, removing the keyword hidden inside.
The Fix
Write out the URL or project name clearly. Don't rely on the link itself to convey the skill.
Keyword Stuffing (White Text)
The Killer
Hiding keywords in white text to 'trick' the system. The ATS extracts all text and displays it as plain black text to the recruiter. They will see your cheat sheet.
The Fix
Don't do it. It's an immediate rejection for dishonesty.
Is your resume safe?
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