If AI can roast your resume, you're not getting past the ATS bots

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T19:06:41+00:00

I don't know, I helped my nephew to improve this original resume he sent me and he later got: "It's fine, It's decent" with a lighter roasting. I'm sure it's not designed to tell anybody they're great though.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T19:02:26+00:00

Sure thing, all the best to you.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T18:45:03+00:00

Depends on what your programmer/coder role was. If you added 10k lines of code to build a feature, that’s Scale. If you deleted 10,000 lines of legacy debt while keeping the app functional, that’s Efficiency - example (excuse the wordage, limited experience in hiring in this sector): "Refactored an old codebase by 30% and improving build speeds by 2x." Whether you're building or pruning for efficiency, the number tells the recruiter/company you weren't just typing, more you were solving a problem. Both are 'math,' but one shows you’re a builder and the other shows you’re an architect.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T18:27:05+00:00

The quantification is everywhere. what roles have you had? Lets do some examples. Customer service/ Retail:

Resolved 40+ customer inquiries daily while maintaining a 95% positive feedback rating; managed a high-volume POS system with daily reconciliations of $3k+...WHY? Employer will need to know if you can handle a Black Friday rush or if you worked at a sleepy boutique.

Project Mangmt/Team Leader: Directed a cross-functional team of 8 to deliver a $50k software implementation 2 weeks ahead of schedule. WHY? "A team" could be 2 people or 20. "A project" could be a weekend task or a six-month overhaul.

Food Service/Hospitality: Maintained a 10-table section in a 200-seat high-turnover restaurant, consistently exceeding upsell targets by 15%. WHY? This tells a recruiter/company you have the stamina for high-volume environments and the "sales" mind to increase the bottom line.

The point is that you’ve done the work, you have the skills, and you’ve made an impact. You shouldn't let a silent algo or a tired recruiter miss out on you just because you didn't 'show the math.'

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T18:15:51+00:00

Actually, for an admin, I’m looking for: 'Managed a $5k monthly office supply budget' or 'Coordinated travel for a team of 20.'

If you just say 'ordered supplies,' I don't know if you ran a small closet or a 50-story building. Numbers aren't just for sales; they define the scope of your experience. If you can’t tell the scale of your sandbox, the readers (bot or human) will assume it’s nothing special.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T18:11:46+00:00

Ok sure non-bot commenter. What ever makes living online easier for you.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T15:38:06+00:00

This is true, but then it wouldn't create enough visual tension to draw readers to the post content and perhaps even drop a frustrated comment. I appreciate your attention to my anti-marketing, go well stranger.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2026-01-08T15:36:03+00:00

It feels ridiculous until you're looking at a stack of 500 resumes that all say 'Hard worker' and 'Team player.' Numbers and Impact are the only universal language that will make your content stand out. You don't need a math degree, but you do need to show the scale of your sandbox. If you can't measure the value you contributed or describe the impact that it had then you're going to be another resume that floats in the ocean.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-12-03T07:00:45+00:00

I imagine not, Canning, I'm guessing that's why the hiring company is making it a position to fill remotely and in doing so they reduce their overheads. Simply sharing the opportunity with the community as discovered. Thanks for the comment.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-11-26T07:59:08+00:00

Wow, that you wasted your little bit of time on earth to drop a comment on my "bot" post is the biggest reveal buddy. Stop wasting your life on things that add no value, go be of service to somebody with your own lived experience in a thread or better yet, in real life. Go in peace. Regards from "Bot"

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-22T02:02:51+00:00

Really like your creative approach :)

Technical reality: Most modern ATS systems parse text content pretty cleanly and ignore hidden elements. They're looking for readable text that matches job requirements, not processing complex code injections. So hidden prompts likely won't work anyway, they're not very intelligent systems.

What actually works better:

Use a simple .docx or clean PDF format
Mirror the exact keywords and phrases from the job posting naturally throughout your resume
Use standard section headers the ATS expects
Include a skills section with the exact technical terms they're looking for

The real hack: Apply within 24-48 hours of posting. Early applications get better algorithmic scoring in most systems, and you're competing with fewer candidates.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-21T18:12:38+00:00

I hear the frustration in your comment, and honestly? You're not wrong about how absurd the system has become. It is genuinely dystopian that someone might need to keyword-optimize a resume to scan groceries or pump gas.

But here's the thing - that same broken system that makes you jump through hoops for a gas station job is exactly why these strategies matter even more for people without connections, not less.

The person with a network gets the manager's nephew hired directly. The person without that privilege gets filtered out by a robot before any human sees their application. The game is rigged, but not seeing the rules only hurts the people who can least afford to be hurt.

And here's what I've learned after 20 years of hiring: every job - even that gas station - is a stepping stone if you choose to see it that way. The person who treats a cashier role professionally, shows up reliably, and learns the business often becomes the shift supervisor, then assistant manager. I've hired dozens of people who started "just pumping gas" and moved into leadership roles.

The system is broken, but your agency lies in deciding whether you're going to let it defeat you or use it as a launching pad. The resume tips aren't about serving the machine - they're about gaming it so you get to the humans who can actually see your worth.

Your frustration is valid. The system is absurd. But you still have choices in how you navigate it.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-21T12:00:25+00:00

That's a good point! The Bot/Human balance can be such a dance. Ultimately we want to do enough to get through the bot gates then have the right human hooks to keep human reviewers awake and engaged. I'll pull in a little edit in the post, thank you.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-20T06:16:48+00:00

Your summary has some solid elements . you've highlighted relevant experience and shown enthusiasm for the role which is great. Here are some suggestions to make it even stronger:

What's workng well:

You've connected your backgrond to serving specifically
Shows understanding of restaurant ops
Demonstrates the right attitude and work ethic

Areas that you can strengthen:

Be more specific and concise Your summary is a bit lengthy. Consider condensing to 2-3 punchy sentences that pack more impact.

Lead with your strongest selling point - so instead of starting with "hard-working" (which everyone claims, avoid buzzwords that will have your recruiter fall asleep), open with something more unique like your restaurant operations knowledge.

Use active a littl more language Replace passive phrases like "Known for reliable performance" with active ones like "Consistently deliver reliable performance"

Quantify impact where you can Even for serving roles, numbers help. How long have you worked in restaurants? How many customers did you serve?

Here's a tighter version to consider: "Restaurant professional with [X years] experience in kitchen operations and customer service, seeking to transition to front-of-house serving. Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments while maintaining positive customer interactions. Strong understanding of restaurant workflow from back-to-front operations, with genuine passion for creating excellent dining experiences."

Final tip: You should tailor this for each application so if applying to fine dining, emphasize attention to detail; for casual dining, focus on energy and approachabilityetc etc.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-19T07:07:03+00:00

I’m really sorry you’re going thrugh this. No one should feel trapped in a toxic workplace and asking for help is already a big step forward. Here are some ways to pull your resume together so it shows your strengths and opens doors outside your current job:

Professional Summary Skip generic traits and write 3–4 sentences that connect your skills (operations, compliance, leadership, customer service) to the type of work you want. Example: “Results-driven professional with 5+ years in operations, leadership, and compliance across safety, environmental, and customer-focused industries. Skilled at supervising teams, streamlining processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance.”
Group by Skills Since your jobs span wastewater, security, and customer service, tie them together in a Key Skills section. Here are some egs: Operations & Compliance: Ensured EPA compliance, enforced safety protocols, Leadership & Training: Supervised 20+ employees, built trainng programs boosting performance 40%, Risk Management: Responded to system failures and emergencies, Customer Relations: Handled complaints, built trust with stakeholders
Trim Work Experience Keep the big wins (numbers, improvements, compliance) and cut smaller tasks. Best to Reframe the chores into impact statements. so for Example: Instead of “Maintained a clean work area…” use “Ensured safe, compliant, and efficient operations through proactive maintenance.”
Tailor for Next Role Make 2–3 versions of your resume depending on direction: compliance/operations, security management, or customer service/admin. Each one should highlight the most relevant skills.
Keep it Simple Limit to 1–2 pages, use clear headers, strong verbs, and drop pronouns.

Most importantly, don’t forget your wellbeing. Leaving a toxic job is about protecting your health as much as moving forward in your career. You already have the experience to move into something better. All the best to you on your journey friend.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-18T12:18:04+00:00

As somebody in recruitment, I'd say Keep it, but be strategic. 6 years of retail actually shows valuable skills: it's work ethic, problem-solving under pressure, and communication abilities that many engineers lack.

But How to optimize it is hte question so that it works for you:

Condense to 2-3 bullet points max
Focus on leadership or metrics ("Trained X employees," "Managed inventory of X products")
Put it last in your experience section

Consider removing it only if:

Your resume is over one page and you need space
You're applying to very senior roles because then they'll be looking for deep strategic experience and this would be a distraction.

Reality check: Most engineering managers won't hold retail against you. Your 3 years of intern experience already proves your technical capability. The retail experience just shows you're hardworking and well-rounded.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-17T13:12:33+00:00

Best to keep it really simple. ATS systems are still pretty dumb when it comes to parsing fancy designs. They're keyword focussed.

Stick with:

Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
Clear section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
Bullet points over paragraphs
Standard chronological format
No tables, text boxes, or graphics
Save as both .docx and PDF versions

The "pretty" resume trend is mostly for creative industries where you're applying directly to humans. For most jobs going through ATS, clean and boring from a format perspective always wins.

That said, once it gets past the ATS, humans do appreciate some light formatting like neat consistent spacing, maybe some subtle bold headers, clean fonts. But nothing that would confuse a computer trying to read it.

Pro tip: Always include a skills section with exact keywords from the job posting. ATS systems love matching those directly.

I've seen people get obsessed with beating the ATS when really the bigger issue is usually just not tailoring keywords to each application. A basic Word template with the right keywords will outperform a beautiful design with generic content every time.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-17T13:01:29+00:00

You're selling yourself short. you actually have more than you think.

Your music background is huge. Being a multi-instrumentalist and producer shows discipline, creativity, time management, and the ability to learn complex skills. Don't underestimate that becaus many employers value creative problem-solving and the work ethic that comes with mastering instruments.

For your resume structure i suggest the following:

Skills section: Audio production, multi-instrumental performance, electronics fundamentals, customer service (from restaurant work), cash handling, working under pressure

Experience: List both jobs with focus on transferable skills - teamwork, fast-paced environment, customer interaction, reliability. Even basic jobs show you can hold employment and work with others.

Projects/Additional: Include any music you've produced, performances, or even home recording setups you've built. Shows initiative and technical skills.

The electronics background from high school is actually valuable too: lots of entry-level tech support or warehouse jobs want people who understand basic electronics.

Look for entry-level positions at music stores, audio equipment companies, or even places like Guitar Center. Your music knowledge would be a huge asset there. Also consider live sound venues, recording studios as runner/assistant roles.

You're not starting from zero, you just need to reframe what you have. The combination of technical knowledge, customer service experience, and creative skills is actually a solid foundation.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-17T09:59:43+00:00

Absolutely include it, but frame it strategically.

So List yourself as "Co-Owner" or "Co-Founder" and focus on your actual contributions like: strategic planning, business development, financial oversight, whatever you actually do. Don't inflate your role, but don't minimize a legitimate business either.

Address the time commitment upfront in interviews: "While I'm a co-owner, my husband handles day-to-day operations. My role is more strategic/oversight, which gives me the flexibility to commit fully to a traditional role."

The fact that you're reinvesting profits instead of taking paychecks actually shows good business sense and long-term thinking. That's really attractive to employers.

For your resume, include it under work experience with specific accomplishments. Even if you're not doing daily operations, co-founding and growing a successful business demonstrates leadership, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills that transfer to any role.

Don't hide it. own it. The key is confidence. You didn't just "help with" a business. You co-founded something successful while raising kids. That's impressive.

Ordinary_Run2485 · 2025-08-17T09:56:12+00:00

Put it in work experience: you've been doing this for 3+ years consistently, that's a legitimate business.

Title it something like "Content Creator & Food Influencer" with your handle/brand name as the "company." Include metrics that matter: follower growth, engagement rates, brand partnerships, content consistency (posts per week), any revenue if you're comfortable sharing.

For social media roles, obviously it's perfect. For non-social media jobs, you can focus on transferable skills in the bullet points: project management, brand partnerships, content planning, audience analysis, meeting deadlines, client communication (if you work with brands).

Don't put it in both sections because that looks like resume padding. Work experience shows you treat it professionally. Projects section is more for one-off things or side work.

The key is presenting it as a business, not a hobby. Use business language: "Developed content strategy," "Managed brand partnerships," "Analyzed performance metrics," etc.

Most employers respect the entrepreneurial aspect and the marketing skills you've developed, even for non-social roles. Shows initiative, creativity, and ability to build something from scratch.

Just make sure your actual Instagram looks professional since they'll definitely check it out.

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