Think You’re Being Rejected by Recruiters? Think Again.

If you’ve applied for dozens (or hundreds) of jobs and heard nothing back, you might think recruiters are just ignoring you.

But here’s the truth: Your resume may not even be reaching them.

Why? Because AI hiring systems (aka Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS) are secretly filtering out your resume before a human even sees it.

Welcome to the dark side of AI hiring, the movie plots we’ve always been afraid of, where robots decide the future. In this case, if you’re worthy of an interview. The reality is bots are dumb. They don’t understand human nuances, they can only base things on keyword matches. Your primary goal should be to showcase that you’re the right fit for the role based on relevance. You can do this by strategically picking the right action keywords and achievements that serve as validated proof that you’re the right fit.

How AI Hiring Works (And Why It’s Screwing You Over)

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically scan, filter, and reject resumes before they ever reach a recruiter. The easiest way to tell if a company is using an ATS is that you applied online, filled out a form and they’re asking for a specific file type like PDF or .docX.

💀 The Reality:

• 75% of resumes never get seen by a human.
• AI scans resumes in seconds and looks for “ideal” candidates based on keywords, formatting, and algorithmic preferences.
• If your resume doesn’t match what the AI wants? It goes into the proverbial black hole.

5 Ways AI Hiring Bots Are Secretly Rejecting You

1. Your Resume Lacks the Right Keywords

AI doesn’t “read” your resume, it scans for specific words from the job description. If those words aren’t there, you’re out.

✅ Fix: Use AI tools (like Odyseek) to scan job descriptions and insert relevant keywords. Make sure any keywords or skills you include on your resume accurately match your skillset.

2. Your Resume Formatting Confuses the Bots

Fancy designs? Columns? Logos? AI bots may not be able to read them. ATS systems have come a long way but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

✅ Fix: Use a simple, ATS-friendly format with 1 column, clear & traditional headings and bullet points. Your resume is not the time to be cute and include a header for Work Experience as ‘My Incredible Journey’. The ATS may not know how to categorize and parse the information. 

Also, using a template that has your photo. Please don’t do this unless you’re going for a modeling gig. It’s true, it may be standard in some countries, but most of the time it’s not customary and recruiters don’t want to see your photo.

3. You Used the Wrong File Type

🚫 Bad: Non traditional file types like Apple Pages JPG, PNG etc.
✅ Fix: Submit resumes as .docx or PDF files. When in doubt, follow the guidance from the online application form. Pro Tip: Stand out with a strong file name like Jane_Doe_Operations_Leader.

4. Your Job Titles Don’t Match the Job Posting

If you were a “Marketing Ninja” but the job is looking for a “Digital Marketing Specialist,” AI might think you’re unqualified.

✅ Fix: Standardize job titles to match industry norms. Make sure they are not too far from your role focus.

5. Your Resume Lacks Measurable Results

AI prioritizes impact-driven resumes. If yours just lists duties, you’re less likely to pass the algorithm.

✅ Fix: Rewrite experience with quantifiable achievements (e.g., "Increased conversions by 30%"). One thing to remember is not every bullet should include a metric which can come across as fabricated, you can also focus on qualitative outcomes.

How to Beat AI Hiring Systems and Get Seen by Humans

🚀 Step 1: Run your resume through an AI tool (like Odyseek) to check for ATS compatibility.
🚀 Step 2: Optimize keywords, formatting, and impact-driven bullet points.
🚀 Step 3: Apply smarter. Focus on jobs where you meet at least 80% of the qualifications. 

🔥 Stop getting rejected by bots. Let AI help you beat AI. Try Odyseek’s resume optimization tool and get in front of real recruiters today!