If you’ve applied to jobs recently, chances are you’ve heard someone say: “Make sure your resume has the right keywords to get past the ATS!”

Let’s break that down.

What Is an ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System—it’s the software companies use to manage job applications. When you upload your resume, fill in info, and hit "submit," you're using the front end of an ATS.

On the back end, recruiters use it to sort, search, and manage candidates. They may filter by job title, review answers to screening questions, or even search past applicants for future roles. Some ATS platforms use AI or machine learning to compare your resume to a job posting and generate a match score, with higher scores being prioritized by recruiters first.

So, the idea of "getting past the ATS" is less about tricking a robot and more about:

• Filling out the entire application
• Including relevant keywords, skills, and education
• Submitting successfully

How to Be "ATS-Friendly"

Here’s how to work smarter with the ATS:
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• Use a boring format: ATS places nicer with boring resume formats: think one column, all black font, and classic headings like "Skills" and "Professional Experience"
• Complete every part of the application: yes, even optional questions

• Mirror the job description: pull keywords (skills, tools, soft skills) into your resume
• Use the job title: if you’ve never held it before, add a headline or summary at the top (e.g., "Healthcare professional seeking Project Manager role")
• Try tools like Jobscan to compare your resume with the job description
• Make sure your education and skills match: if the position wants a master's degree, make sure your master's degree is on your resume. Similarly, if the position specifically calls out "Microsoft Excel" experience, ensure "Microsoft Excel" is listed exactly in your Skills Section
  • ​Note: don't lie! Only include skills and education that you actually have!

The Bottom Line

Yes, your resume matters. Having an ATS-optimized resume can't hurt!

But even more important? Making real connections. A well-optimized, ATS-friendly resume paired with intentional networking (hello, LinkedIn!) is your best strategy.

When you're job hunting, it’s easy to believe your resume is the key to landing interviews. And yes, a polished, tailored resume matters—but here’s the truth: networking is the real game-changer.

Even the best resume won't make an impact if no one sees it. Despite popular belief, applicant tracking systems (ATS) aren’t the main culprits for lack of responses. The bigger issue? Recruiters are flooded with applications and simply don’t have the time to review each one.

So instead of asking, “How can I tailor my resume so a recruiter will notice it?”, a better question to ask is:
“How can I make sure a recruiter actually reads my resume?”

​The answer: Get on their radar—before they even post the job.

My Job Search Wake-Up Call

When I started my non-clinical job search, I followed the typical strategy: apply to 20+ jobs a week and hope for the best. Crickets.

Eventually, I shifted gears. I applied to fewer jobs, tailored my resume for each one, and—most importantly—I started networking on LinkedIn.

I reached out to recruiters and individuals at companies I cared about. I’d send a respectful message, letting them know I was targeting specific types of roles, and I was excited about how I could add value at their organization. Most didn’t reply, some said no—but a few responded, and those connections started to grow.

For companies I really cared about, I followed up regularly. I showed genuine interest in their mission and stayed in touch. That persistence paid off. After months of staying connected with a recruiter at a health tech company I loved, a role opened up. I reached out, he agreed I was a great fit, and I landed the interview—and the job.

Networking on LinkedIn: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

DO message recruiters with respect, and always frame your message around how you can help their company—not what they can do for you.
DON’T ask for favors like, “Can you help me get this job?” or “Do you have a role for me?” It comes off transactional and will likely get ignored.

DO build relationships with recruiters over time—especially at companies you’re truly excited about.
DON’T “spray and pray” by applying to hundreds of roles and hoping something sticks. Focused, intentional networking gets results.

DO be specific - if you are doing to ask questions, do your research beforehand on the company and role you are targeting, and ask questions that imply some thought went into them.
DON’T ask questions that you could easily find answers to elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Job hunting isn’t just about sending out polished resumes—it’s about standing out in a sea of qualified candidates. And the best way to do that isn’t by tweaking bullet points; it’s by making real human connections.

If you want recruiters to read your resume, don’t wait for a job post to appear. Get proactive. Start conversations. Show up consistently. Be someone they already know by the time they’re ready to hire.

Your next opportunity might not come from a job board—but from a message you send today. So stop waiting. Start networking.

Your future self will thank you!