How to Fix ATS Resume Rejections (2025 Edition)

You keep applying. You’ve got the skills. But the silence is deafening.

If your resume isn't making it past the application stage, there's a good chance it's being filtered out by an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) — before a human even sees it.

In 2025, over 90% of companies use ATS software to manage applications. And these systems are smarter, faster, and pickier than ever.

Here’s how to figure out if your resume is getting rejected by an ATS — and more importantly, how to fix it.

🤖 What Is an ATS (And Why It Rejects You)

ATS tools automatically scan resumes to:

Match keywords from the job description
Evaluate formatting and file type
Score candidates based on job fit

If your resume doesn't meet these criteria, it gets filtered out, no matter how qualified you are.

Want to check your resume's compatibility? 👉 Run a free ATS analysis

❌ 5 Common Reasons Your Resume Is Getting Rejected

1. Missing Keywords

If the job asks for "React" or "Node.js" and your resume doesn't mention them, you're out.

Use the same language as the job description.

✅ Fix: Tailor each resume with specific tools, technologies, or frameworks mentioned.

2. Wrong File Format

Some ATS systems struggle with:

.odt or .pages files
PDFs with heavy design
Scanned images of resumes

✅ Fix: Stick to clean PDFs or .docx files — unless specified otherwise.

3. Complex Formatting

Tables, columns, text boxes, and icons confuse ATS bots.

✅ Fix: Use a simple one-column layout. Avoid headers/footers, logos, and graphics.

4. No Standard Section Headers

If you use “Where I Worked” instead of “Experience,” the ATS might not parse it.

✅ Fix: Stick to conventional headers:

Experience
Skills
Education
Projects

5. Too Much Fluff, Not Enough Action

Generic phrases like "team player" or "motivated developer" don’t help you stand out.

✅ Fix: Focus on achievements. Use verbs like Built, Launched, Optimized, Deployed.

✅ How to Fix Your Resume for ATS (In 2025)

1. Use a Keyword-Rich Summary

Don’t waste space with an empty objective.

Instead, use a 3–4 line summary with:

Your job title
Key technical skills
Type of role you want

Example: “Junior Frontend Developer with React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS experience. Passionate about building performant UIs and collaborating in Agile teams.”

2. Mirror the Job Description

Scan the job post.

What are the must-have skills? What tools are repeated?

Make sure those appear naturally in your resume — especially in the Skills and Projects sections.

3. Include Metrics + Outcomes

Instead of:

"Worked on a website redesign."

Say:

"Redesigned homepage using Next.js and Tailwind, increasing time-on-page by 18%."

4. Check Spacing, Fonts & Formatting

Use:

Font: Arial, Calibri, or similar
Font size: 11–12pt
Line spacing: 1.15–1.5
Margins: 0.5"–1"

Avoid:

Icons
Tables
PDF export from design tools

5. Run an ATS Compatibility Scan

Before sending your resume: 👉 Upload it to ResumeAdapter for free

Get:

Missing keyword suggestions
ATS score breakdown
Actionable rewrite tips

🧠 Bonus Tips

Save your resume as: Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf
Update your LinkedIn to match your resume keywords
Keep it to 1 page if you have less than 3 years experience
Add GitHub links in your project bullets

🔁 Internal Resources

🧭 Final Thoughts

You might be more than qualified. But if your resume isn’t speaking ATS language, you’ll stay invisible.

Let your skills shine through. Make your resume readable — by bots and humans.

👉 Scan yours now with ResumeAdapter

Let’s turn rejections into interviews.

💡 Want to know if your resume will pass ATS filters?
Check out our guide: How to Instantly Analyze Your Resume for ATS with ResumeAdapter

FAQs

Can I use color in my resume?
Yes — just keep contrast high and avoid background graphics.

Can I reapply to the same job with an updated resume?
Absolutely. If you update it with the right keywords, your chances improve.

How do I know which keywords to use?
Scan the job description and check our resume keywords guide.