Due to my non-linear background, concurrent jobs and commencing my master degree studies at a NY graduate school while leading teams overseas, I have better luck with human-read applications than ATS.

12 Comments

1. Vicki SullivanMarch 11,2026 at 1:37PM UTC

   The job market is tough right now. You cannot avoid the application portal void but you can do a few things to still leverage your network. Ask your contacts to send you the job opening so that they can refer you and you still submit through the portal. If they can also connect with the hiring manager, ask them to do so. Make sure you are telling a good story about yourself with your resume, with accomplishments rather than just duties. Tailor your resume when you need to highlight specific skills for a targeted role. Good luck!

2. AnonymousMarch 11,2026 at 3:42PM UTC

   Thank you, Vicki. I've used HR contacts and they checked my resume and said it's in the proper form but when it scans due to concurrent and global roles with graduate studies in other city it's misdiagnosing 20 experience in marketing into 2 years.

   They suggest avoiding ATS applications but that's 90% of the listings. I'm receiving job listings from friends but after applying, I send them my resume to share with the hiring manager and hiring managers are saying that the recruitment is being done through an agency and they don't take part until later rounds.

   I had one state that although she wanted to move me forward, and I'll be honest I don't understand this, the deal with the agency is that the applicants have to be found by them due to payment. I've incorporated keywords, told my story and focused on accomplishments via STAR.

   My other issue is that the industries don't accurately represent what I've done. Case in point, during the pandemic, I worked in banking but I was hired due to my entertainment and mission-based sponsorship and brand marketing.

   Most of my background is within publishing and entertainment but not the traditional roles. Since a resume is scanned even by human readers in only a few seconds, they aren't reading what I've accomplished and are making judgement calls due to biases about the industries. Do you think have a highlight section at the top of my resume showcasing what I've accomplished throughout my career would help? I appreciate your support!

3. Tami CannizzaroMarch 11,2026 at 7:52PM UTC

   It sounds like you have the right experience. A few Questions, and if you are doing these things, great! I'm just asking for clarification: are you adapting your resume to each job opportunity to focus on the particular skills they are looking for? Do you have a professional title and statement at the top that highlights this information? I assume you are making sure your keywords align with each application - not every key word, but at least some. Take a look again at your concurrent and global experience. Without seeing your resume, it seems like there should be a way to separate the concurrent and global roles - I've had concurrent roles represented on my resume without issue.

4. AnonymousMarch 12,2026 at 2:48AM UTC

   Hi Tami, Yes, I make sure to tailor my resume per application and also add in keywords from the JD. I've added key accomplishments and recently created a header for 2000-2017 roles and highlight what I've done during those years rather than list the roles.

   My last three roles, from 2017-2024 I left on their own but for additional context, from 2017-2019, I was working overseas at the same time I was 'attending' school in the States. From 2019, I was working in the States and on site in London. I leave out my freelance work completely as it runs throughout my career trajectory.

   Do you have any advice regarding your concurrent roles. Prior overlapping roles were on site in Asia while working remote in NYC. Working on site in Europe while freelancing in the States and a 3-year headquarters role during the pandemic in NY while overlapping dates with the UK and graduate school that started in person and I was afforded to finish while working remotely. I'd appreciate your advice as I'm having so much trouble trying to get my experience stand out and not remain invisible.

5. AnonymousMarch 12,2026 at 3:40PM UTC

   To be clear an ATS is the way that companies are assured that they remain compliant and can also process your candidacy through their channels assuring that each step in the pathway is tracked and reviewed. ATS do not stand alone and there are always human elements in there that touch your resume. If you want to amp up your chances of being seen be sure that you respond as soon as you see a posting as if the role is popular sometimes eyes don't review things when the applications get into the hundreds or thousands. The bigger the company the less likely to make it through the heap, unless...

   Use words that are in the job description specifically in your application. That will make you rise to the top of the things. Be sure that you do exactly what is asked when applying because if the are using any AI features within that ATS your application may be rejected for not doing what is asked. Refine the content as closely as you can to what they want. Always add in a cover note. It may not always be read but that can be the tie breaker if you get into the mix. These days jobs in some industries are scarce. Searches are taking longer because of that and also companies have decimated their internal staffing and HR teams. Continue to work your network and even if you do apply through ATS. Additionally physically mail or directly email those who you are using as referral. In every team I managed in TA (talent acquisition) ANY referrals went to the top of the list, yes, even those NOT qualified. They got a call and if they did not fit were told the why and respectfully rejected. Good luck, and give it time.

6. OLIVIA JOHNSONMarch 12,2026 at 3:49PM UTC

   Hi there,

   Thanks for sharing your current situation and reaching out for insight.

   In today's job market your resume needs to walk the fine line of balancing system review AND review by a person. Networking is always a great way to land a role but not including the application process in your job search could be detrimental.

   Not having a linear background is actually pretty common. I myself have a very non-linear background and I definitely understand the feeling that it is seen as a challenge as in some cases it used to be. However, now in the one employee to many role responsibilities it can be an asset to your benefit if it's communicated as such.

   You can do this with your resume and still potentially be selected for opportunities.

   Here are a few options that can assist in working towards making your resume work better for ATS/AI screenings for a nonlinear resume.

   Add a Headline. A short headline can go a long way. Make it obvious what your areas of expertise are. For a non-linear resume you may want to put the focus on your areas of expertise that are transferable to any role.

   Create a focus for your resume. IF you are applying for a role that has a specific focus and this focus has been one or more of your prior roles, you can bring this to the forefront by having a resume where you share "Relevant Experience" and only show the roles that are relevant to the role you are pursuing. As this may not include your most recent role and others, you can then have a separate category to follow that shows "Additional or Other Professional Experience" and list everything else.

   Do some keyword optimization. A lot of the initial screens on resumes are now inclusive of keyword searches. So, if there is a role of interest, see what keywords stand out in the listed job responsibilities that align with your skills and ensure that they can be found in your resume. Continue to do this for every job posting (no need to remove keywords, just continue to add.)

   Hope these few tips are helpful.

   Coach Olivia

7. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 2:50AM UTC

   Great ideas and thank you for sharing! I love the idea of headers and bringing roles forward that better relate to the application. Do you have any issues when the data is parsed for ATS and your backyard is listed chronemically? Case in point, one of my earlier roles lasted 7 years at a director level that is more aligned with the sectors I'm seeking. I realized that while more recent roles had components of that role, having time to think about what I want, I was happiest in that role. I've tried bringing that 2012-2018 role forward but ATS doesn't list it when adding in chronological order only showing 3 roles in some systems.

8. OLIVIA JOHNSONMarch 16,2026 at 6:49PM UTC

   Hi there,

   Great question. And the answer is Yes. There will definitely be challenges with ATS if the system is looking to do an extract and then have you verify information you will just have to go through the pains of adjusting and or inputting information. However, it's 50/50 if the application even does an extract, especially if you are doing an Easy Apply application which typically just takes your uploaded resume as is. It's also more beneficial than not to show the relevant experience first for the personal review. For AI the emphasis is on keywords regardless of where they are on the resume.

   Hope this clarifies. In short, it is not as ATS friendly but the cost-benefit outweighs the formatting.

   Coach Olivia

9. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 1:23PM UTC

   I'm sorry you're coming up against this. So many people are. Frankly, AI should not be used in such a way and I'm getting so sick of all the ways it's ruining the world. You want to hire people, then have PEOPLE look at the resumes. So many good people being passed over because of AI BS.

10. AnonymousMarch 15,2026 at 1:48PM UTC

    Thank you so much! I've utilized friends who work in HR to make sure I have my resume optimized and even with their changes it doesn't translate correctly. It's too complex for a linear system. The headers help but the fact that it's coming up with fake locations, jobs and missing years of work experience, even with the correct layout, I've had to admit that ATS is not going to work for me. What's disappointing is that 90% of roles require ATS and even when you reach someone, you have to put it through the system and if someone wants to get in touch with you they will. I know they won't as if a job requires 10 years and you're only showing 5, you're not the right fit.

    I agree and while there's are positive technology advances, I wish they would be used to set a foundation for personalization not take the 'human' out of the equation!

11. AnonymousMarch 16,2026 at 12:50PM UTC

    AI is going to ruin it all. It’s already taken jobs from thousands. However, they’re noticing that AI isn’t learning quick enough, there aren’t enough people that are AI literate or understand Python programming. They’ve also stated that the ROI using AI isn’t making a difference or it’s slow.

    I can’t help but think of the movies like Terminator and Matrix as a warning. Sounds silly I suppose, but, it is frightening.

12. AnonymousMarch 17,2026 at 12:16PM UTC

    I don't think it's silly at all. It's sad, really.

    I feel like AI could have its uses but it's being used wrong...taking away from truly human things. From looking through resumes to art. We should be utilizing some of this amazing tech to make things easier for humans so we can do amazing things with our lives. Instead, we're using it to ruin so many people's lives.