Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are commonly used by employers to streamline the hiring process. They scan resumes, extracting key data like job titles, skills, and qualifications to quickly filter out unsuitable candidates. However, ATS are not perfect and often struggle with hybrid or custom job titles. In this post, we’ll explore how these titles can confuse ATS and what you can do to make sure your resume gets through the automated filters. We'll also discuss how to optimize your resume for better ATS compatibility, especially when using unconventional job titles.

Introduction

As the job market evolves, companies are increasingly using hybrid or custom job titles to reflect the multi-faceted nature of certain roles. While these titles are great for human understanding and marketing, they can create significant problems when it comes to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS are built to look for specific keywords, including job titles, and may not always recognize custom or hybrid job titles that are not commonly used in the industry.

For example, if you’ve held a position titled "Senior Data Scientist and Machine Learning Expert," an ATS might not interpret this correctly, potentially flagging it as irrelevant or confusing. This issue can be even more prevalent in industries where roles are rapidly evolving and traditional titles no longer apply. So, how exactly do hybrid and custom job titles cause problems for ATS? And more importantly, what can job seekers do to make sure their resumes are ATS-friendly?

Understanding ATS and Job Title Recognition

ATS are designed to automatically screen resumes and rank them based on how well they match the job description. These systems scan the resume for keywords such as specific skills, qualifications, and job titles. They are programmed to recognize specific terms and phrases that are commonly used in job postings or the recruitment industry.

However, ATS are often limited by their programming and can only identify titles and terms that are present in their database or based on common industry standards. If a candidate uses an unusual or hybrid job title, the ATS may not recognize it, which means the resume might not be ranked highly, or worse, it could be rejected entirely. As such, it is essential for job seekers to understand how ATS scan and interpret job titles to ensure they don't miss out on opportunities.

Hybrid and Custom Job Titles

Hybrid and custom job titles are becoming increasingly common, especially as companies evolve and roles become more specialized. A hybrid job title combines responsibilities from different roles, while a custom job title is a unique or creative title used by a company to describe a position that may not have a traditional counterpart. While these titles may reflect your responsibilities and expertise accurately, they often confuse ATS, as these systems are more familiar with traditional, standard titles.

Why ATS Struggle with Hybrid and Custom Titles

ATS typically rely on keyword matching, so if a job title doesn’t match exactly with the keywords used in the job description or is too specific, the system may fail to recognize it. For example, if a job description calls for a "Project Manager" and your title was "Project Lead with Technical Expertise," the ATS may not recognize the title as a relevant match even though your responsibilities may align closely with the position being offered.

In addition, custom job titles may use unconventional words or phrases that ATS is not programmed to recognize. A title such as "Growth Evangelist" or "Digital Marketing Ninja" may sound appealing to human recruiters, but the ATS could fail to match these terms with relevant job descriptions. As a result, the resume might be overlooked, even if the candidate is highly qualified for the role.

Examples of Hybrid Job Titles

Hybrid job titles typically combine roles or areas of expertise to reflect the changing nature of work. Below are some examples of hybrid titles that ATS may struggle with:

  • Marketing Data Analyst (a combination of marketing and data analysis skills)
  • Product Manager and UX Designer (blending product management and design expertise)
  • Software Engineer and DevOps Specialist (combining engineering and operations management)
  • Sales and Customer Success Manager (a hybrid of sales and customer service functions)

How to Optimize Your Resume for ATS

To increase the chances of your resume being properly read by ATS, it’s essential to make adjustments to your job titles and the overall structure of your resume. Here are some strategies for optimizing your resume when you have hybrid or custom job titles:

Standardize Job Titles

One of the most effective ways to ensure that your hybrid or custom job titles are recognized by ATS is to standardize them. Consider using both the hybrid/custom title as well as a more traditional equivalent. For example, if your job title is "Senior Product Manager and UX Specialist," you could list it as "Senior Product Manager (UX Specialist)." This approach can help ATS understand that you have experience in a common, recognizable role, while also maintaining the uniqueness of your position.

Use Relevant Keywords

Regardless of your job title, it’s essential to include relevant keywords from the job description. Incorporate skills, certifications, and keywords from the job posting that are relevant to your experience. This increases your chances of matching the job description and improving your ATS score.

Simplify Title Format

Try to simplify your hybrid or custom job title format so it’s easy for the ATS to read. For example, instead of "Lead Consultant in Data Analytics & Business Intelligence," consider simplifying it to "Lead Consultant, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence." This structure removes extra punctuation and makes the title easier for ATS to parse.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using creative or unconventional titles: While creative titles may impress recruiters, ATS may not recognize them.
  • Not using standard titles for comparison: Always include a traditional version of your title if it’s a hybrid or custom role.
  • Ignoring job description keywords: Don’t neglect to match your resume’s content with the keywords in the job posting.

Conclusion

ATS are essential tools for recruiters, but they can struggle with hybrid and custom job titles. To make sure your resume passes through ATS filters, it’s important to standardize your job titles, incorporate relevant keywords, and simplify your title formats. By doing so, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and ensure that your resume is accurately interpreted by these automated systems. Understanding how ATS work and optimizing your resume accordingly is the key to standing out in today’s competitive job market.