How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in 2025
Hint: It Takes More Than Fancy Formatting
“Submit a handwritten resume and see what happens.”
A funny thought, but it highlights how recruitment has evolved. In today’s job market, even the neatest handwriting or the most creative design won’t get you far. What matters now is whether your resume can make it through the digital filters used by almost every employer in Australia.
Let’s explore how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping recruitment in 2025, and how you can make sure your resume survives both the machines and the humans.
What Is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?
An ATS is software used to manage recruitment by scanning, sorting, and ranking resumes based on how well they match a job description. If you have ever applied for a job and never heard back, it’s possible your resume was filtered out automatically.
Nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies and more than 70% of large organisations use ATS platforms. In Australia, major employers such as NSW Health, Rio Tinto and local councils rely on systems like PageUp, Workday, SmartRecruiters, and JobAdder.
The ATS is programmed to identify keywords, qualifications, and experience that match the employer’s criteria. If your resume lacks the right structure or phrasing, it may never reach a recruiter.
The Rise of AI in Recruitment
The NSW Public Service Commission recently published a report titled Spotlight on the Use of AI in Recruitment. It outlines how AI is now being used to support hiring decisions by analysing data, identifying patterns, and scoring applicants.
The report stresses that AI use must be fair, safe and lawful, and that human judgement should never be replaced. It also warns against risks such as automation bias and lack of transparency.
This means that in the public sector, where fairness and merit-based hiring are essential, all AI-assisted decisions must still involve a human reviewer. The private sector, however, may not always apply the same level of scrutiny. Many private companies rely heavily on automated screening, and your resume might be filtered out before a person ever sees it.
Understanding how both AI and ATS systems interpret your resume can therefore make a major difference in your job search success.
Common Reasons Resumes Fail the ATS
- Complex formatting or graphics
Tables, columns, text boxes, icons, and logos are often unreadable by ATS. Use a simple, one-column layout. - Creative section titles
Phrases like “Career Story” or “My Journey” can confuse the system. Stick to standard headings such as Professional Summary, Skills, Experience, and Education. - Missing or mismatched keywords
If the job description says “data analysis” and your resume says “data insights”, the system might not make the connection. Use consistent terminology. - Unfriendly file type
Word documents (.docx) are safest. Some ATS tools misread PDFs or strip formatting. - Overdesigned templates
While a sleek design might appeal to the eye, the ATS will prefer clarity over creativity.
How to Optimise Your Resume for ATS
1. Structure and Readability
Start with your name, contact details, and LinkedIn profile. Follow with a professional summary, skills, experience, and education. Avoid multiple columns or decorative fonts. Recommended fonts include Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman, or Segoe UI, in size 10–12.
2. Match the Job Description
Mirror the exact language used in the role description. ATS tools evaluate keyword frequency and context, so align your phrasing with the employer’s requirements.
3. It’s Not Just Formatting
Many job seekers assume that beating the ATS is purely a design issue, but content quality matters even more.
Old systems could be tricked by keyword stuffing. Modern algorithms are far smarter. They assess how skills are demonstrated through measurable outcomes.
Instead of saying “Strong communication skills”, write:
“Delivered executive-level presentations that influenced a $5M funding decision.”
This example shows both the skill (communication) and its outcome (impact on decision-making).
Modern ATS systems reward resumes that demonstrate capabilities with results, not repetitive keywords.
4. Use Primary, Secondary and Implicit Keywords
As explained in Final Draft Resumes’ Cracking the ATS Code, strong resumes use a mix of keyword types:
- Primary keywords – job title, core skills (e.g. Project Management, Customer Service)
- Secondary keywords – software or methods (e.g. SAP, Agile, Excel)
- Implicit keywords – skills implied by the role (e.g. negotiation, analysis, leadership)
Use these strategically across your resume in your summary, skills list, and achievements.
5. Focus on Achievements, Not Duties
Turn everyday tasks into quantifiable results:
- Reduced payroll processing time by 40% through system automation
- Improved compliance outcomes by implementing new audit procedures
- Led a team of five to deliver an infrastructure upgrade two months ahead of schedule
6. Test and Refine Your Resume
Use ATS testing tools such as VMock to preview how your resume might perform. These platforms analyse formatting, language, and alignment with the job description.
However, AI scoring should be treated as guidance, not gospel. VMock uses global data and may not always reflect Australian job markets or local terminology. Use it to check structure and keyword coverage, then have a human expert review it.
How AI and Human Recruiters Work Together
Even though recruitment is becoming more automated, the NSW Public Service Commission reminds us that AI must support, not replace, human decision-making. Recruiters still interpret personality, communication, and potential — areas where AI falls short.
Your resume therefore needs to do two things:
- Pass the technical filters by using clear structure, relevant keywords, and correct formatting.
- Engage the human reviewer by telling a credible story and showing measurable achievements.
The Crisp Resumes Difference
At Crisp Resumes, we believe in combining the precision of technology with the insight of human experience.
Our writers understand how ATS and AI screening tools work, but we don’t rely on templates or software-generated content. We start with a conversation to understand your goals, experience, and preferences, and then craft a resume that:
- Meets ATS requirements for structure and keyword alignment
- Highlights measurable achievements and professional impact
- Reflects Australian hiring standards and industry language
That blend of strategy and authenticity is what gets our clients noticed, across both the public and private sectors.
Your Quick ATS-Proofing Checklist
✅ Save as .docx unless otherwise requested
✅ Use standard headings and clear section order
✅ Choose plain fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, Segoe UI)
✅ Remove tables, images, and symbols
✅ Use a mix of primary, secondary, and implicit keywords
✅ Focus on measurable outcomes
✅ Use Australian spelling and industry terms
✅ Test with VMock or a similar tool
✅ Get a professional human review
That’s a Wrap
Submitting a handwritten resume might earn you a laugh, but modern hiring is no joke.
AI and ATS systems are now standard across recruitment, helping employers filter thousands of applications quickly. In the public sector, fairness and accountability guide the process. In the private sector, automation can be far less forgiving.
Beating the ATS isn’t about tricking technology. It’s about communicating your value clearly — to both the system and the human behind it.
If you want a resume that makes it through both, Crisp Resumes can help.
See our samples to learn how professionals across Australia trust us to create resumes that open doors.
Last updated: 01/10/2025
