Why you’re not getting interviews
If you’ve searched for job advice lately, you’ve been told that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the devil. Tailor your résumé, include keywords, beat the bots! But here’s the truth: it’s not just about the ATS. If it were, millions of us wouldn’t be stuck in the job search quicksand.
The job market is more complicated—and more broken—than an ATS algorithm. Let’s cut through the avalanche of advice and get to what’s really holding you back, and more importantly, what you can do about it.
Breaking Down the ATS Myth
For years, we’ve been told ATS is a résumé graveyard. The advice is always the same: “Use the right keywords,” “Keep it simple,” “Make it machine-readable.” And yes, while those tips help, they’re not the magic bullet many claim they are.
Here’s what ATS actually does:
It organizes, filters, and ranks applications based on predefined criteria.
It’s only as smart (or dumb) as the person configuring it.
It doesn’t reject you outright—it just makes you harder to find if you’re not hitting the right marks.
The real problem? The sheer volume of applicants and the human element behind the system. Hiring managers are overwhelmed, recruiters are stretched thin, and your perfectly optimized résumé might never see the light of day.
The Real Barriers to Getting Interviews
It’s time to confront the bigger issues:
Ghost Jobs: Many listings aren’t even real. Companies post them to gauge interest, build a candidate pool, or check a compliance box.
Overwhelmed Recruiters: With hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applicants per role, it’s no wonder résumés get lost.
Bias in Hiring: Whether conscious or unconscious, biases play a role in who gets a closer look.
Lack of Feedback: You’re often left guessing what went wrong, leading to frustration and self-doubt.
This broken process leaves job seekers spinning their wheels, questioning their worth, and wondering if they’ll ever break through.
What REALLY Works in 2025
If the system’s broken, how do you win? By playing a different game.
Networking First:
The hidden job market is alive and well. Most opportunities come from connections, not cold applications. Reach out, show genuine interest, and leverage your network.Tailor Strategically:
Don’t just regurgitate keywords—tailor your application to the company’s mission and needs. Make it crystal clear how you can solve their problems.Engage on LinkedIn:
A thoughtful comment on a recruiter’s post can get you noticed faster than an application in a stack of 500. Follow leaders, engage meaningfully, and slide into those DMs.Focus on Your Strengths:
Highlight your impact, not just your experience. Show the value you bring with specific, measurable achievements.
Why This Advice Is SO Hard to Follow
Here’s the part no one wants to admit: following this advice is brutal.
It’s a Full-Time Job: Networking and customizing every application is incredibly time-intensive. Even with AI tools like Teal and Swooped to streamline the process, tailoring your experience for every role takes significant effort.
ATS Kills Creativity: ATS-style résumés have made all résumés look the same, removing one more way to stand out. As a former designer and marketer, that stings.
Relentless Hustle: Every day, you’re selling yourself again and again, trying to stand out in a sea of candidates.
Superhuman Optimism: Rejection isn’t an exception—it’s the norm. Staying positive feels like a Herculean task.
Psychotic Level of Confidence: You need to believe you’re the best candidate for the role, even when no one is validating that belief.
And even with all of that, you’re facing another major challenge: employers holding out for a “unicorn.”
Remote work has opened the floodgates. You’re no longer competing with local talent—you’re competing with everyone. Employers know this, and they’re no longer settling for someone who can do the job. They want someone who’s already done the exact job, in the exact industry, for their exact competitors.
I recently saw a marketing leadership role where 10+ years of experience in the bicycle industry was a requirement. That’s the level of specificity we’re dealing with.
And yet, I know firsthand that this mindset is flawed. When I worked for a clean energy startup, I had zero experience in green energy. But I didn’t let that stop me. I learned how diesel engines and our tech worked, mastered global clean air legislation, and built partnerships with organizations like the California Air Resources Board and the NRDC. I even lobbied the UK Department for Transport.
I wasn’t the perfect puzzle piece—but I became the one they needed.
Advice from the Trenches
I’m not writing this from the safety of the sidelines. I’m in the thick of it—living these challenges every day. And while the process can feel soul-crushing, I’ve also seen glimmers of hope.
The recruiter who responded to my personalized message.
The hiring manager who gave me a shot after seeing my engagement on LinkedIn.
The connection who introduced me to someone who introduced me to someone.
These moments of progress are why we keep going.
Cut Through the Noise
At the end of the day, job searching is grueling, and no single tip guarantees success. But if you focus on connection, clarity, and authenticity, you’ll cut through the noise. The game may be broken, but you can still win it—with grit, resilience, and just a bit of luck.
Because here’s the truth: it’s not you, it’s them. But it’s also up to you to rise above it.
Let’s keep going—together.