Why 75% of Resumes Never Reach a Human Recruiter
Most large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically screen resumes. Studies suggest up to 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a recruiter. If your resume is not optimised with the right keywords, your application goes straight to the rejection pile — regardless of your actual skills.
How ATS Systems Work
An ATS parses your resume and compares it against the job description using keyword matching algorithms. Resumes that match a higher percentage of required keywords score higher and move forward. The language you use must closely mirror the language in the job posting.
Critical ATS Keywords for IT Roles in 2026
Programming Languages
Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, C++, C#, Go, Rust, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin
Web Development
React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Express.js, Next.js, REST API, GraphQL, HTML5, CSS3
Cloud and DevOps
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Linux
Data and AI
Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, SQL, NoSQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Power BI, Tableau
7 Rules for an ATS-Optimised Resume
- Use standard section headings like “Work Experience” and “Skills”
- Mirror the exact language from the job description
- Avoid tables, columns, and graphics — ATS cannot parse them
- Use a clean single-column format
- Include a dedicated Skills section listing all technical skills
- Spell out acronyms at least once
- Submit as .docx or PDF format
Use ProfileNova’s free AI Resume Builder to optimise your resume for ATS and our Skills Gap Analyser to identify missing keywords for your target roles.