Avoiding Common ATS Pitfalls
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become the first gatekeepers in nearly every hiring process. They are efficient for employers but often unforgiving to candidates. Even highly qualified executives are filtered out due to simple formatting errors or overlooked structural details.
To compete at the top, your resume must be as technically sound as it is strategically compelling.
Sore Thumb Ensures Your Resume Clears the Gate and Commands Attention
Sore Thumb creates executive resumes that are ATS-optimized without losing the clarity, credibility, and leadership narrative that resonate with human decision-makers.
The Most Common ATS Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
✓ Complex Formatting and Graphics: Tables, columns, images, and text boxes can cause parsing failures, leading to incomplete or unreadable resumes.
Solution: Use a clean, single-column layout with no visual elements. [Source: Jobscan.co].
✓ Non-Standard Fonts and Symbols: Decorative fonts and custom bullet styles often confuse ATS software.
Solution: Stick with classic fonts such as Arial or Calibri, and use simple black bullet points. [Source: careerlaunch.mays.tamu.edu].
✓ Headers and Footers: Some ATS systems skip content in headers and footers entirely, including contact information.
Solution: Keep essential details—name, email, phone, LinkedIn—within the main body of the document. [Source: novoresume.com].
✓ Incorrect File Types: Image-based PDFs or unusual formats such as .rtf or .jpg are risky.
Solution: Submit resumes in .docx or clean, text-based PDF formats. [Source: novoresume.com]
✓ Creative Section Headings: Labels such as “Career Highlights” or “My Story” may look distinctive but can confuse ATS algorithms.
Solution: Use conventional headers such as Work Experience, Education, and Skills. [Source: remote.com].
✓ Keyword Stuffing: Overloading a resume with repeated jargon hurts readability and can lower ATS rankings.
Solution: Integrate role-specific keywords naturally and in context. [Source: novoresume.com].
✓ Missing or Inconsistent Dates: ATS platforms expect consistent date formats and complete timelines.
Solution: Use a uniform format (e.g., Jan 2022 to Dec 2023). Avoid unexplained gaps or inconsistencies. [Source: Jobscan.co].
✓ Spelling and Grammar Errors: Even minor typos can prevent ATS from recognizing critical keywords.
Solution: Proofread carefully or use professional review tools to ensure precision. [Source: remote.com].
Sore Thumb integrates ATS-relevant keywords with care, ensuring visibility without overuse so your document ranks well in systems and remains persuasive to hiring managers.
Final Thought: The Right Resume Is Read and Ranked
An ATS-friendly resume is not only well-written. It is structurally sound, strategically aligned, and technically optimized to move past the first gate.
At Sore Thumb, we build resumes that:
✓ Comply with the nuances of modern ATS platforms
✓ Integrate the right keywords without compromising tone
✓ Position you as a strategic leader worth noticing
If you want a good resume, the tips above will help. If you want a great one, built to rise through systems and speak to decision-makers, contact Sore Thumb at clientcare@sorethumb.pro.
Your career deserves more than visibility.
Stand out where it counts with Sore Thumb.
