How To Make Friends With The Algorithm (And Actually Get Hired)
by Cheryl Robinson · ForbesYou could be perfect for the job and still never make it past the first round. That’s because the first round isn’t human. It’s software. Algorithms scan applications. Interviews happen on screens. And the “ideal candidate” isn’t defined by past experience; it’s shaped by perceived potential.
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are now the gatekeepers. They screen, score and sort resumes before a human ever reviews them, and most never make it through. With cold applications showing a success rate as low as 0.1% to 2%, and requiring roughly 32-200 applications for a single offer, the odds aren’t in your favor unless you tailor your approach.
Here’s how to stop ghosting your own job search and start working with the algorithm instead of against it.
Keywords Aren’t Optional—They’re Your Currency
Most ATS software isn’t sophisticated. It’s looking for plain and simple matches. Job descriptions are essentially cheat sheets. Scan them for repeated nouns and verbs such as project management, client onboarding and data analysis. Then mirror those exact terms in your resume and LinkedIn profile. Synonyms won’t cut it.
Don’t keyword stuff. Use natural language in bullets tied to results. For example: "Led client onboarding for 15-plus enterprise accounts using Salesforce and Asana.
If the posting says “cross-functional collaboration,” echo that—don’t swap it for “teamwork.” The bot won’t connect the dots for you.
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Format Like A Machine Could Read It—Because One Will
Fancy resumes with columns, graphics or nontraditional fonts often confuse ATS systems. That creative design could be why you're getting ghosted. Use clean, linear formatting: left-aligned text, standard section headers like “Experience” and “Skills” and one-column layouts.
Stick to widely accepted file formats: PDF or .docx. And skip headers, footers and tables unless you're certain the ATS can parse them. Stick to classic fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Georgia or Times New Roman. Avoid underlines, unusual bullets and text boxes.
The best resume isn’t the prettiest. ATS bots actually prefer resumes that look boring to humans. It’s the one time where less personality, more precision wins. You are just trying to survive the scan.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Like It’s A Landing Page
Your resume may get you in the door, but LinkedIn often closes the deal. Recruiters use Boolean search to find candidates by combining keywords and exclusions—for example: ("product manager" OR "project manager") AND ("agile" OR "scrum") AND ("SaaS") NOT ("intern"). If your profile doesn’t include these exact phrases, you won’t even show up.
If your profile doesn't include these exact terms, you won’t even show up. That’s why it's essential to match your headline and summary with the titles and terminology used in the roles you’re targeting. And don’t underestimate your "Skills" section: LinkedIn's algorithm factors those in when ranking profiles for search. The platform allows you to list upwards of 50 skills. Prioritize them as they’re mentioned in jobs you want, not just those you’ve had.
Use your “Summary” to naturally incorporate variations of job titles and tools that you know recruiters are searching for. Instead of listing “strategic planning,” include a sentence like: "Experienced in strategic planning, OKR frameworks and cross-functional team alignment in fast-paced SaaS environments."
Recruiters don’t browse. They search. If you want to be found, you have to match the words they’re using.
It can feel like you're sending your resume into the abyss. Remember, every application is a tailored pitch. Every LinkedIn update is a signal. Treat the algorithm like a partner, and it’ll start becoming your edge.