Maximizing Visibility Across ATS

Over 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter candidates before a human reviews a single resume. These systems are not flawless, but they are gatekeepers. [Source: Jobscan].

For executives, a strong resume must pass two tests: algorithmic relevance and human resonance. The first step is understanding how different ATS platforms behave and how to structure your materials accordingly.

Sore Thumb ensures your resume is ATS-optimized, balancing keyword relevance with human readability to increase visibility across multiple hiring platforms.

Sore Thumb Ensures Your Resume Performs Across Platforms

We tailor resumes to satisfy both AI systems and decision-makers, combining keyword alignment, structural clarity, and narrative strength.

Fifteen Widely Used ATS Platforms and What They Prioritize

1. Greenhouse
   Clean, minimal formatting performs best. Complex visuals often fail to parse.

2. Workday
   Handles scale but struggles with non-standard formatting. Stick to linear layouts and conventional fonts.

3. Taleo
   Highly keyword-dependent. Mirroring job description language improves scoring.

4. iCIMS
   Requires standard section headers such as Experience and Skills for accurate parsing.

5. JazzHR
   Simple by design. Unusual formatting or characters reduce compatibility.

6. Lever
   Favors single-column resumes. Graphic elements often fail to transfer.

7. BambooHR
   Optimized for text. Avoid images and layout-heavy designs.

8. SmartRecruiters
   Can misread excessive hyperlinks or jargon. Keep content clean.

9. Jobvite
   Advanced analytics but struggles with non-standard bullets or symbols.

10. Pinpoint
    Data-driven and best suited to resumes without embedded visuals or stylized fonts.

11. BreezyHR
    Prefers uniform formatting. Consistency across sections improves readability.

12. Workable
    AI-powered but sensitive to formatting variances, especially dates and job titles.

13. Rippling
    Minimalist designs parse most accurately. Stick to standard fonts and language.

14. Bullhorn
    Handles .docx files well. PDFs with unusual encoding may fail to process.

15. Zoho Recruit
    Requires traditional headers. Avoid placing content in footers, sidebars, or graphics.

Common ATS Parsing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

✓ File Format Sensitivity: Not all PDFs are equal. Use text-based PDFs or .docx files to maximize compatibility. [Source: careerservices.uic.edu].

✓ Formatting Simplicity: Tables, columns, and images confuse parsing engines. Use clean, linear formatting. [Source: careereducation.columbia.edu].

✓ Standard Section Headers: Unconventional headings such as “Career Milestones” may be ignored. Use Experience, Education, and Skills. [Source: careereducation.columbia.edu].

✓ Keyword Precision: ATS relies on contextual keyword matching. Mirror job description language naturally and strategically. [Source: forbes.com].

Does Your Resume Actually Pass the Filter?

Even highly accomplished candidates can be eliminated by automated systems, often without knowing why. Tailoring for ATS is not just technical. It is strategic.

Sore Thumb applies platform-specific insights to ensure your resume meets parsing standards while preserving the leadership narrative that resonates with human recruiters.

If you want a good resume, the guidelines above will help. If you want a great one, strategic, keyword-aligned, and boardroom-ready, contact us at clientcare@sorethumb.pro.

Your resume should work as hard as you do.

Stand out where it counts with Sore Thumb.