How To Also Stand Out To Recruiters

You optimized your résumé for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), tailoring keywords and formatting to beat the bots. Congratulations—it worked! That is saying something because HBR found 88% of employers believe qualified applicants are filtered out by ATS systems due to issues such as formatting errors, lack of specific keywords, or overly rigid screening criteria. But now comes the real test: convincing a recruiter that you’re the right fit. Every decision you made to pass AI—keywords, formatting, phrasing—must now connect with the human reviewing your résumé. If your résumé feels robotic or lacks a personal touch, you risk losing the very opportunity you’ve worked so hard to secure. Here’s how to ensure you captivate the recruiter as well.

How To Make Your Résumé Less Generic For Recruiters

AI optimization often relies heavily on keywords. While critical for passing the first screening, overloading your résumé with industry jargon can make it feel impersonal. Recruiters are looking for unique contributions, not just a checklist of qualifications.

Think of yourself as a product, and sell the benefits of what you’ve done rather than just listing features. A feature is that you collaborated with teams. A benefit is the result of that collaboration. For example: “Worked on cross-functional teams” is generic. Instead, say, “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to reduce project timelines by 15%, delivering ahead of schedule.” Numbers bring your story to life and help recruiters understand your value.

How To Show Career Growth On Your Résumé

Recruiters are not just scanning for skills—they’re looking for a story. Does your résumé show how your past actions led to meaningful results or opened doors to new opportunities? If not, you’re missing a chance to stand out.

For instance, instead of saying, “managed daily operations,” highlight a result: “Transformed daily operations, cutting processing times by 30% and saving $15,000 annually.” Then go one step further: “This success contributed to my promotion to department lead within six months.” Demonstrating growth gives recruiters a sense of your potential.

Why Recruiters Look For Behavioral Strengths On Your Résumé

Many employees are hired for knowledge and technical skills but fired due to behaviors. Employers view emotional intelligence, communication, and adaptability as critical as technical skills. While ATS focuses on hard skills, recruiters want to know you’ll thrive in their team environment.

To appeal to recruiters, integrate these strengths into your accomplishments. Instead of just saying, “mentored team members,” write, “Mentored three junior employees, fostering collaboration and reducing onboarding time by 25%.” Or, “Led an initiative to improve internal communication, increasing transparency and reducing project delays by 15%.” These examples show both interpersonal skills and measurable results.

How To Tailor Your Résumé To The Job Description

Passing AI is only the first step—recruiters want to see alignment with the role. If your résumé doesn’t reflect the company’s specific needs, it could cost you the interview. Tailoring means more than just matching keywords; it’s about demonstrating that you understand the company’s goals and priorities.

Start by researching the company’s mission, current products, and future plans. Highlight achievements that align with their initiatives. For example, if the job emphasizes innovation, show how you’ve driven process improvements or led creative projects. This extra effort not only catches the recruiter’s eye but also positions you as someone invested in their success.

How To Balance AI Optimization With Human Connection

The best résumés find the sweet spot: clean formatting for ATS, relevant keywords, and a human-centered narrative. Avoid overly complex designs that confuse ATS, but don’t let simplicity strip away your personality. Use your summary section to communicate passion and adaptability. Highlight achievements with measurable results. Most importantly, ensure your résumé feels authentic and tailored to the job.

The number one mistake to avoid is keyword stuffing—cramming excessive or irrelevant keywords into your résumé to try to “game” the ATS. While including job-relevant keywords is crucial for getting past AI screening, overdoing it can make your résumé read awkwardly to recruiters. For example, instead of repeatedly listing the same skill (e.g., “project management, project management, project management”), integrate it naturally: “Led multiple project management initiatives, including cross-departmental rollouts and budget optimizations.” This ensures your résumé remains ATS-friendly while still appealing to a human reviewer. Focus on quality over quantity when using keywords, blending them into accomplishments rather than standalone lists.

Your Next Step To Ensure You Get The Job

You’ve done the work to get your résumé past AI screening—now take the time to make it recruiter-ready. Review your résumé with these tips in mind:

• Does it tell a cohesive story of your career growth?
• Are your achievements quantified and results-focused?
• Have you aligned your experience with the company’s needs?

Crafting a résumé that connects with both machines and humans is no small task, but the payoff is worth it. By refining your résumé to appeal to recruiters after clearing AI, you’re one step closer to landing the job you deserve.