Despite the often-cited “75% of resumes are rejected by ATS” statistic, there’s no strong empirical evidence that ATS systems flatly reject that large a share before a human sees them. That number is likely a rough estimate or misinterpretation of filtering behavior. What is true: poorly formatted, keyword-mismatched, or overly stylized resumes get deprioritized or poorly parsed by ATS, drastically reducing their chances of being reviewed. To beat the bots, build a resume that’s simple, keyword-aligned, and structurally sound.
What Is an ATS—and Why Job Seekers Fear It
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools used by companies to manage hiring at scale. Because many hiring teams receive hundreds—or even thousands—of resumes per opening, ATS helps them filter, sort, and prioritize candidates.
Over time, an alarming headline emerged and took hold in the job-search world: “75% of resumes never make it past the ATS before a human ever sees them.” This idea has fueled resume optimization services, “ATS-friendly” templates, and anxiety for job seekers.
But how accurate is that claim? In this article, we’ll unpack how ATS works, where the 75% figure came from (and whether it’s credible), and practical strategies to ensure your resume isn’t left behind.
How ATS Actually Works: Behind the Curtain
To understand why some resumes don’t “make it through,” you have to dig into how ATS reads, parses, and ranks documents.
- Parsing / Text Extraction
When you upload a resume (e.g. .docx, PDF), the ATS converts it into a raw text or XML form. It strips formatting, images, text boxes, and embedded graphics. If your resume is too fancy—with columns, images, or unusual fonts—the parsing may break, jumbling content.
- Keyword & Semantic Matching
The ATS examines the extracted text, looking for keywords, phrases, job titles, skills, certifications, and required qualifications. More advanced systems now use semantic matching, not just literal keyword matching—so context matters.
- Scoring & Ranking
Each resume is scored based on how well it matches the job description, how many keyword hits it has, and how well it fulfils required criteria (education level, years of experience, etc.). Resumes are ranked from highest to lowest.
- Filtering / Cutoffs
Hiring teams or system administrators often define thresholds: only resumes scoring above X move forward. Others are filtered out or never viewed by humans. Some systems also include “hard filters” (e.g., excluding candidates without a degree).
- Human Review
Resumes that survive the filter reach the hands of recruiters or hiring managers, who further evaluate based on clarity, achievement, formatting, and “fit.”
Thus, ATS doesn’t always “reject” resumes outright—it may just push them lower in the stack so they never catch human attention.
The “75% Rejected” Statistic: Myth or Reality?
That 75% figure circulates widely, but digging deeper shows it’s more myth than scientific fact.
- No solid research backing it. The Interview Guys traced the 75% claim to Preptel, a defunct recruiting-service company, without disclosed methodology.
- Modern critiques call it an exaggeration. Many ATS experts argue that the system doesn’t strictly reject that many upfront; instead, many resumes fail due to weak content or formatting—not because of a hidden ATS rule.
- Some sources still repeat it. Sites like AllResume and ResumeAdapter continue to quote “75% of resumes fail ATS.”
- Caution in accepting the number literally. While it makes for a compelling headline, using that number as gospel undermines understanding the nuance: many resumes are deprioritized or misread—not always “rejected” in a binary sense.
In short: the 75% rejection rate is more folklore than proven fact. But the takeaway remains: many resumes are filtered out or overlooked before human judgment intervenes.
Why Resumes Fail ATS Screening
What causes a resume—even a strong one on paper—to get buried? Here are the most common missteps:
- Complex Formatting, Columns, Graphics, or Tables
Fancy layouts or designs may confuse the ATS parser. If the system can’t reliably extract your content, it may drop key info or misalign sections.
- Missing or Misaligned Keywords
If your resume lacks the exact skills, job titles, or keywords the system is tuned to, your match score will suffer. A mismatch in wording or synonym usage can mean losing points.
- Wrong File Types
Some ATS struggle to parse scanned PDFs, images, or uncommon file types. Stick with text-based .docx or simple PDF if allowed.
- Overuse or Underuse of Abbreviations
Use of obscure acronyms or failure to spell out terms can result in missed matches. For example, “PMP” vs “Project Management Professional” may behave differently.
- Missing Structural Elements
If you omit standard section headings like “Work Experience” or “Education,” the ATS might not correctly categorize your content.
- Hard Exclusions / Filters
Some resume filters are binary: no degree, no minimum years of experience, or non-local applicants may be auto-excluded regardless of content.
- Poor Content, Lack of Quantification
Even if your resume makes it past the filter, weak or vague statements (e.g. “responsible for marketing”) won’t persuade human readers. Lack of metrics or impact reduces appeal.
How to Build an ATS-Optimized Resume That Gets Read
You don’t need to game the system—you just need to align with it. Here’s how:
Use Simple, Clean Layouts
- Avoid columns, text boxes, headers, footers, and images
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Use a single column, chronological layout
- Stick to standard section headings (e.g. “Summary,” “Experience,” “Education”)
Mirror Job Description Language
- Identify the most frequent and relevant keywords in the job posting
- Use those exact phrases in your resume, where truthful
- Don’t “keyword-stuff”—integrate naturally
Use Multiple Variations: If a role uses “Project Manager” and “PM,” include both. Same for “Search Engine Optimization (SEO).”
Quantify Achievements: Numbers stand out (e.g., “increased sales by 25%,” “managed budget of $500K”). Achievements backed by metrics boost both ATS and human appeal.
Use Standard File Formats: When allowed, upload .docx or clean PDFs (not scans). Confirm the job posting’s preferred format.
Test Before Submitting: Use online ATS checkers (e.g. Jobscan, ResumeATS Checker) to see how your resume parses.
Tailor Every Application: Don’t rely on one version. Adjust your resume slightly per job to reflect priority keywords and requirements.
Beyond the Resume: Strategies to Improve Visibility
- Use a cover letter or application portal fields to restate key terms
- Network internally (employee referrals can bypass strict filters)
- Optimize your LinkedIn and online profiles to align with target roles
- Track which resumes get responses and iterate based on feedback
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
- The “75% rejection by ATS” is a dramatic but unverifiable headline.
- The real risk comes from poor formatting, weak keyword alignment, and parsing failures.
- A well-structured, keyword-aware, quantifiable resume gives you the best odds of passing ATS filters and catching human eyes.
- Always test your resume with ATS simulation tools, and adjust per job.
A good resume doesn’t “beat ATS”—it simply works in its framework while remaining clear and compelling to real people.