Why Your Resume Gets Rejected and How to Fix It
- Ankit G
- Nov 9, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
You applied to 50+ jobs. You spent hours adjusting your resume. You waited. And waited.
But… no response.
Before you blame hiring managers or the job market, here’s a hard truth:
Your resume is getting rejected by ATS (Applicant Tracking System) before a human even sees it.
Today, more than 90% of companies use ATS software to filter resumes. These systems don’t care about how passionate you are — they only care about one thing: Keywords and structure.
In this blog, we’ll break down why ATS rejects your resume and how you can fix it — step by step.
Mistake 1: Using Fancy Templates (Tables, Columns, Graphics)
The mistake: You design resumes in Canva or use fancy templates with:
Decorations
Icons
Columns
Tables
Graphics
Why it’s a problem: ATS cannot read:
Text inside shapes/images
Table-based formatting
Icons representing contact details
Result?
➡ Your resume becomes unreadable
➡ ATS rejects it before humans even see it
How to fix it:
Use a clean, single-column layout. Stick to standard fonts (Roboto, Calibri, Arial). Export only as PDF (unless the job asks for Word)
Tip: In ATS world — simple = powerful.
Mistake 2: Not Using Job Description Keywords
The mistake: Your resume shows what you want to say, not what ATS wants to find.
Example:
Job description mentions:→ “React, APIs, CRUD, SQL, Agile”
Your resume says:→ “Worked on web development projects.”
Why it’s a problem: ATS matches keywords. If keywords don’t match, your resume is auto-rejected.
How to fix it:
Copy important keywords from the job description. Add them naturally to:
Skills section
Project descriptions
Summary section
Example rewrite:
Developed a Task Management App using React with CRUD operations, API integration, and Agile methodology.
Tip: One resume does not fit all jobs. Create 1 master resume, tailor keywords for each role.
Mistake 3: Writing Responsibilities, Not Achievements
The mistake: Listing what you were supposed to do: Responsible for maintaining application data.
Why it’s a problem: Everyone is responsible. Recruiters want results.
How to fix it:
Use action + impact + technology format
Example rewrite:
Designed and implemented data workflows using Outsystems, improving processing speed by 37%.
Tip: Replace “responsible for” with action words: Built, Developed, Improved, Automated, Delivered
Mistake 4: No Proof of Work (No Projects / No Links)
The mistake: Your resume includes skills like:
Java | Outsystems | SQL | APIs
But there is no proof you can use them.
Why it’s a problem: Skills without proof look like buzzwords.
How to fix it:
Add Projects + GitHub/Portfolio link
Example:
Project: Expense Tracker App Built using Outsystems with CRUD operations and API integration for authentication.
Mistake 5: Poor Resume Structure
The mistake: Resume sections are in random order like:
Education → Personal details → Skills → Summary → Projects
Why it’s a problem: ATS expects a specific format.
Correct structure for ATS:
Resume Title / Name / Contact
Professional Summary
Skills & Tools
Projects
Experience / Internships
Education
Certifications / Courses
Tip: Personal details like marital status, DOB, photo = unnecessary & harmful.
Final Thoughts
Your resume is not just a document. It's your first interview.
If your resume:
Uses clean structure
Matches keywords
Shows proof of skill (projects)
Focuses on achievements
…you will start getting interview calls even without a Computer Science degree.
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