An ethical job seeker using AI on a laptop to optimise their resume or CV. A digital ATS (Applicant Tracking System) interface glows on the screen. The setting is modern and professional, with subtle tech and automation elements in the background—symbols like gears, document icons, and AI brain circuits. The overall tone is trustworthy, intelligent, and futuristic. The Brian Vander Waal brand log is inside one of the gears.

Ever submitted what you thought was a brilliant resume or CV, only to hear crickets for weeks? You’re not alone. Hundreds of my clients experienced it before coming to me over 18 years as a Career Coach.

Here’s the real issue: it’s probably not your experience or skills. Instead, it’s the applicant tracking system (ATS) — a digital gatekeeper that screens resumes before a human ever sees them. And in 2025, these systems are more sophisticated (and ruthless) than ever.

The good news? You can now bypass ATS with AI ethically and effectively.

After helping countless frustrated job seekers get past this digital barrier, I’ve seen how powerful the right strategy can be. One client applied to 47 jobs without a single callback – until I optimised his CV. Within two weeks, he landed three interviews.

In this guide, I’ll share my proven, AI-powered strategies to help your resume beat the ATS and get into human hands. No hacks or shady tricks, just ethical, data-backed optimisation that works across industries.

So, let’s crack on and turn that resume black hole into your next big opportunity. 

Key Takeaways

  • ATS software is your first obstacle, not your lack of qualifications. Many resumes and CVs never reach a human because they aren’t optimised for applicant tracking systems.
  • AI is Both the Gatekeeper and the Key: Recruiters use AI to scan, sort, and filter CVs in seconds. But with AI tools, you can flip the script. Use AI to optimise your resume, boosting your chances of landing interviews.
  • Use AI Resume and CV builders to your advantage. They can help optimise your resume for ATS and highlight your strengths without sacrificing authenticity.
  • Use ATS simulators to test your CV before hitting “submit.”
  • Keep it clean and ATS-readable: If your CV looks beautiful but breaks ATS rules, it’s as good as invisible. Use clean, simple formats ATS can parse—ditch the tables, columns, and graphics.
  • Tailor Every Time—No Exceptions: Generic CVs are interview killers. Customising your resume for each role is non-negotiable. AI tools make this faster and easier than ever.
  • Keywords Are Your Currency: ATS bots hunt for specific terms. Use AI to identify high-impact keywords in job ads and naturally weave them into your CV without sounding robotic.
  • Action Verbs Make You Stand Out: AI resume builders can suggest power verbs that pack a punch.
  • Numbers matter. Phrases like “increased revenue by 20%” or “led a team of 5” are more compelling (and ATS-friendly) than vague duties or passive wording.
  • Ethics First, Always: Don’t fake it—optimise it. Use AI to highlight your real strengths and qualifications, not fabricate experience. Trust is the long game.

    The Role of AI in Recruitment

    A symbolic and professional image showing the role of AI in recruitment. The image shows the evolution of recruitment from paper CVs to AI-powered screening. On the left side, a recruiter is sifting through stacks of paper CVs using a magnifying glass. On the right side is a futuristic AI interface or robot analysing digital resumes on a computer screen with keywords highlighted and candidates being filtered. In the middle is a metaphorical ‘gatekeeper’ figure— a robotic bouncer—standing at a rope barricade. The "Brian Vander Waal" brand logo is on the top left corner of the image. Understanding the role of AI in recruitment will help us understand why we also need to bypass ATS with AI ethically.

    To understand why we need to optimise our resume/CV with AI to bypass applicant tracking systems (ATS), we must first understand how recruiters are using AI to screen your CV, resume, cover letter or application.

    I remember when recruitment was all about paper CVs and gut feelings. Now, artificial intelligence has completely transformed how companies find talent. It’s been fascinating watching this shift over my 18-year career helping job seekers.

    AI recruitment tools have become the norm rather than the exception. Every week, I see more of my clients facing these digital gatekeepers. These systems help hiring managers streamline the entire recruitment process in ways we couldn’t imagine a decade ago.

    The impact is massive. Tasks that once took my HR contacts days now happen in minutes. 

    Let’s look into how these AI systems work.

    Understanding AI Screening Technology

    Think of AI screening as a vigilant bouncer at an exclusive club. It’s constantly scanning resumes for specific keywords, looking for the VIPs who match what the recruiting manager wants.

    I’ve seen this firsthand when testing resumes with my clients. Two identical candidates with differently worded CVs can have completely different outcomes. One gets an interview, while the other gets ghosted!

    The technology hunts for particular skills and experiences mentioned in the role profile. Therefore, understanding these systems isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial for job seekers.

    My most successful clients have cracked this code. For instance, Olivia, a marketing professional, wasn’t getting any callbacks until we realigned her CV to match the AI’s preferences. Subsequently, her interview rate jumped from 5% to nearly 40%!

    Why Companies Use AI Resume Screening Tools

    Companies have embraced AI recruitment tools for reasons that make perfect business sense.

    First, these tools offer recruiters a faster, more accurate way to spot top talent worldwide. I was chatting with a recruiter last week who told me she can now find qualified candidates in hours rather than weeks!

    Additionally, the cost savings are substantial. AI dramatically cuts the resources needed for initial screening. Moreover, many companies report better candidate selection overall.

    The volume issue is massive, too. I recently worked with a client applying for a role that had attracted over 2,000 applicants! Without AI, handling such numbers would be impossible.

    Furthermore, these systems ensure no promising candidate gets accidentally overlooked. The days of resumes and CVs slipping through the cracks are fading fast.

    How Companies Use AI in Hiring

    Beyond just screening, companies leverage AI throughout their hiring process. I’ve watched the technology evolve from basic keyword matching to sophisticated tools that standardise job adverts and analyse CVs with remarkable precision.

    These systems can match candidate skills to job requirements with uncanny accuracy. I witnessed a client get selected for an interview despite lacking the “required” years of experience—because the AI correctly identified her transferable skills!

    What’s more, AI can actually create fairer hiring practices. By reducing unconscious bias, these tools help companies make more objective decisions. However, I always warn my clients that AI isn’t perfect—it’s merely a tool wielded by humans.

    Understanding this technology isn’t just academic—it’s your ticket to getting past the digital gatekeepers!

    How Can AI Enhance Your Resume / CV and Increase Your Job Opportunities

    An image illustrating how AI can empower job seekers to enhance their resumes or CVs and increase job opportunities. On the left side of the image is a frustrated job seeker, surrounded by crumpled CV printouts, sitting at a desk looking disheartened in front of a computer screen.In the centre is a symbolic transformation moment: the same job seeker now working with an AI assistant—represented as a sleek, glowing digital circle hovering above the keyboard—analysing and editing the CV.On the right, is the same job seeker now smiling and confident, checking his email.On the top left corner is the "Brian Vander Waal" brand logo.This image represent how you can bypass ATS with AI ethically.

    After 18 years of helping thousands of job seekers, I’ve seen the heartbreak of brilliant candidates getting filtered out before a human sees their application. It’s maddening!

    However, AI isn’t just your opponent in this process—it can be your secret weapon, too! I’ve watched artificial intelligence transform from a job seeker’s enemy to their greatest ally.

    Case Study – James

    I’ll never forget working with James, a talented software developer who had applied to 100+ positions without a single callback. His qualifications were stellar, but his CV was practically invisible to ATS systems.

    The problem wasn’t his experience—it was how he presented it. Once we reworked his CV to speak the language of AI and humans, he landed three interviews in his following five applications.

    You can do this also with AI tools! With the right AI tools, you can tailor your CV for specific positions in minutes rather than hours. You can optimise it for applicant tracking systems that might otherwise bin your application.

    How AI Tools Can Help You Get Noticed and Bypass ATS with AI Ethically

    Let me show you how to make your resume visible to recruiters.

    AI tools analyse job profiles with remarkable precision. Then, they suggest relevant keywords and skills to include. This ensures your resume aligns perfectly with what recruiters and ATS are searching for.

    I recently worked with a financial analyst who was struggling to get interviews. Using AI to analyse her target job descriptions, we discovered she was missing key technical terms that the industry had adopted. After adding these terms to her CV with an AI CV builder, she got callbacks within days! Now she knows how to bypass ATS with AI ethically.

    AI Can Help You Focus on the Right Things

    Platforms like LinkedIn use sophisticated AI to match job seekers with relevant opportunities. Meanwhile, specialised AI Resume builders automatically improve your CV by highlighting strengths and quantifying achievements you might have overlooked.

    AI can also help identify skills you have but haven’t showcased. This allows you to strategically target your job search and stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs.

    Using AI Job Search Tools Ethically

    However, I always emphasise using these tools ethically. The goal is to use AI to enhance your qualifications, not fabricating experience. After all, you want to bypass the ATS, not deceive the humans who’ll eventually interview you!

    Top 5 Tips on How to Bypass ATS with AI Ethically

    An Image of a man sitting at a laptop. He crafted a winning resume to bypass ATS systems. He is now uploading his CV to an ATS Simulator to see if it is likely to pass ATS when he sends out his resume to the employer. On the top left and right corner are small AI robot graphics. In the top centre it says: "Top 4 Tips on How to Bypass ATS with AI." On the bottom left is the "Brian Vander Waal" brand logo. On the bottom right is an AI graphic with the word "AI" and spider-like lines with dots on the end coming out from the word "AI."

    Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of optimising your Resume or CV for AI systems. I’ve refined these techniques through years of seeing what works—and what fails miserably. As highlighted above, use AI resume builders or AI CV builders to fight fire with fire. These tools incorporate best practices for beating the very systems they mimic.

    1. Use a Format that ATS Can Read

    Maintain a clear, consistent format that AI can easily digest. AI tools can help with this.

    My clients often come to me with beautifully designed CVs that look brilliant. The problem is they are entirely unreadable for ATS systems. Ditch those fancy tables and graphics! Also, ensure your contact information sits where the ATS expects to find it.

    Last month, a brilliantly qualified developer couldn’t understand his rejection streak. His fancy template was rendering his experience entirely invisible for ATS!

    One of my other clients used an AI tool called Rezi to reformat her CV and subsequently received interview offers from companies that had previously rejected her identical qualifications!

    2. Tailor Your Resume / CV to Specific Job Descriptions

    I cringe whenever clients say they use the same resume for every application. That approach worked in 2005, not in 2025! With all the amazing AI tools out there, there is no excuse for not tailoring your CV! You can now do it faster and more effectively than ever!

    I had a client who sent identical CVs to 75 positions across three different industries! Unsurprisingly, he received zero responses. Your CV must speak directly to each role.

    Tailoring your CV is absolutely essential for job application success. You must carefully read the role profile for each position with your detective hat on. Alternatively, get an AI tool to do it for you! After all, standing out is the name of the game!

    3. Keywords are King

    I recently helped a Financial Crime Analyst who couldn’t understand his lack of interviews. The problem became obvious when I looked at his applications. His generic CV was missing 70% of the keywords from each job posting!

    I also reviewed another client’s rejected application and found it contained only 3 of the 15 critical keywords from the job posting!

    Laser-focus on keywords. These are the breadcrumbs that help the ATS identify your relevant skills. Without these, you won’t get past the AI in ATS platforms.

    I used to tell my clients to highlight every skill and requirement in the job profile and person specification. Then, we strategically incorporated them throughout the CV. Now AI CV Builders can do this task in seconds. This crucial step helps bypass the automated filters.

    Use an AI resume builder to extract the exact keywords from the job advert and then incorporate them throughout your resume and cover letter. These tools can help you mirror the language used in the posting. This signals to the ATS that you’re an excellent match.

    Don’t just mindlessly copy and paste from the job profile! I’ve seen candidates do this, and it backfires terribly. Instead, use an AI CV builder to integrate keywords naturally into your experience descriptions. The goal is to bypass the ATS filters while sounding like a human.

    Be sure to showcase the skills and experiences that closely match what the role is asking for. This shows you’ve done your homework and aren’t just mass-applying. Consequently, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of getting through to human eyes!

    4. Incorporate Action Verbs with AI

    Use powerful action verbs to describe your achievements. AI resume builders can help you incorporate the right action verbs, which pack a punch throughout your CV.

    Words like “achieved,” “delivered,” and “transformed” pack more punch than passive language.

    I recently revised a client’s CV by changing “was responsible for project management” to “delivered complex projects under budget.” The difference was immediate—three interview requests within days!

    5. Quantify Achievements through an AI-Human partnership

    Quantify achievements whenever possible with specific numbers. Numbers speak volumes to both AI and humans. Instead of vaguely stating “improved team performance,” say “increased team productivity by 32% in six months.”

    Another example would be to say: “Increased sales by 20%,” which speaks volumes compared to simply stating “Improved sales.” The applicant tracking systems actually hunt for these data points!

    An AI tool can add quantifiable achievements if given the right data points to start with. However, if it doesn’t have the right data about you, this is where human intervention comes in. You can add these numbers to your CV at the end after the AI tool has done most of the work.

    All these tactics will help make your resume AI-friendly. Nevertheless, always maintain that human touch. Your CV must ultimately appeal to the recruiter who sees it after it passes the ATS.

    Common Mistakes Job Seekers Make

    Over my career, I’ve watched talented professionals make the same costly errors repeatedly. These mistakes guarantee their CVs get rejected before anyone sees them. I have already mentioned five of them above and how they can be resolved with AI tools. These errors include:

    1. Not tailoring their resume to each specific job.
    2. Failing to include relevant keywords.
    3. Missing the opportunity to quantify their achievements.
    4. Not incorporating powerful action verbs to describe their achievements.
    5. Messy formatting and formatting that doesn’t work with ATS.

    However, there is a sixth mistake which must be mentioned, which is poor grammar and spelling. Poor grammar and spelling errors signal carelessness. Even the most sophisticated AI tools can’t fix a fundamentally sloppy approach.

    To avoid these pitfalls, always proofread your CV thoroughly. Use tools like Grammarly for this task.

    An image which represents navigating the AI gauntlet and helping you bypass ATS with AI ethically. On the left side is a frustrated male job seeker in business attire sitting at a modern desk, surrounded by scattered resume/CV papers, looking defeated as their application appears to hit an invisible barrier (representing the ATS system). Digital particles visualise this barrier. On the right side, is a female jobseeker confident and successful. She is using a laptop with AI tools, which are creating a CV. In the middle where the images merge is a subtle humanoid AI figure acting as both gatekeeper and helper. The image shows ethical use of AI through visual cues. The image focuses on empowerment through ethical AI use rather than deception. On the top right corner is the "Brian Vander Waal" brand logo.

    Helping job seekers navigate the development of AI-driven hiring has become one of my biggest challenges as a career coach. The recruitment terrain has shifted dramatically, and we’re all learning to adapt.

    I call it “the AI gauntlet“—that invisible obstacle course your resume must run before a human sees it. After witnessing countless talented professionals struggle with this new reality, I’ve developed strategies that work without compromising integrity.

    Let’s discuss ethically navigating this new frontier while ensuring your application reflects the real you.

    Why You Should Bypass ATS with AI Ethically

    The growing presence of AI in recruitment creates fascinating ethical dilemmas. I’ve had many conversations with clients about where to draw the line.

    One particularly memorable discussion was with David, a mid-career professional who asked if he should use AI to completely rewrite his experience. My answer was an emphatic “no!” I explained how this approach would backfire spectacularly at the interview stage. Instead, we used AI to better articulate his actual experience, which proved far more successful.

    The ethical line between optimisation and misrepresentation isn’t always crystal clear. However, maintaining your integrity throughout the process is non-negotiable. This ethical challenge is what makes navigating the AI gauntlet so tricky.

    Being authentic in your CV and cover letter remains absolutely vital. I always advise using AI tools to enhance your genuine qualifications, not fabricate new ones. After all, any hiring process should be fair to all participants.

    Your primary goal is to bypass the ATS filters and not deceive human recruiters. Therefore, keep your resume truthful while presenting your skills and experience in its best light. The recruitment process aims to find the right match for both parties, making honesty essential.

    Adding the Human Touch to Your Application 

    Despite all this talk about artificial intelligence, the human element remains crucial. In fact, it’s become even more important as a differentiator.

    I’ll never forget working with Aria, a technical analyst whose ATS-optimised CV got her interviews but no offers. The problem? Her resume read like it was written by a robot, for robots!

    Your Resume or CV Must Connect with Humans

    While a CV optimised for applicant tracking systems is necessary, it must still connect with human recruiters. Show your personality in your resume through carefully chosen examples. 

    Recruiters aren’t just looking for someone with the right skills. They are also seeking someone who fits their company culture. Therefore, demonstrate how you can add unique value to their organisation.

    A Project Manager’s Story

    I recently helped a Project Manager highlight his problem-solving approach rather than just his technical skills. As a result, he received feedback that his “refreshingly human application” stood out from dozens of similar candidates.

    The human touch proves you’re not just a collection of keywords. Moreover, it makes you memorable when the HR rep reviews hundreds of qualified applicants.

    Use Platforms Like LinkedIn to Add the Human Touch to Your Application

    Additionally, leverage platforms like LinkedIn to network with recruiters and hiring managers. A personal connection can bypass the AI entirely! I’ve watched candidates with average CVs secure interviews simply because they established rapport with someone inside the company.

    The human touch is the key to a lasting impression, especially in the age of automation.

    Conclusion: Bypass ATS with AI Ethically Today!

    After 18 years of guiding job seekers through countless market shifts, I can tell you with certainty that this AI revolution isn’t slowing down. But neither should your career ambitions!

    I’ve witnessed even the most technologically hesitant clients transform their job search results once they embraced these new tools. Their stories can be yours, too.

    The secret isn’t just using AI—it’s using it ethically and strategically while preserving your authentic self. Think of artificial intelligence as your career co-pilot, not the replacement for your unique human value.

    Start today by reviewing one of your recent job applications. Run it through an ATS simulator. Then, apply just one tip from this guide to improve it. Take that first small step. I promise you’ll see the difference.

    Every technological revolution creates winners and losers. The winners aren’t always the most technically skilled—they’re the most adaptable.

    So, will you continue sending the same resume into the digital void? Or will you use these powerful AI tools to finally get your CV past the algorithms and into human hands?

    What’s the first step you’ll take today to transform your job search with AI?

    Employment and Careers Consultant | Career Coach | Careers Writer | Founder of brianvanderwaal.com

    Brian Vander Waal is a dynamic Employment and Careers Consultant, Career Coach, and the visionary behind brianvanderwaal.com. With over 18 years of expertise in Employment, Learning, and Skills, Brian holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development, demonstrating his commitment to excellence. Brian has also gained extensive experience with AI tools for HR, work, job search, careers, employment, learning and more. As the blog's founder, Brian imparts invaluable insights into Careers, Employment, Learning, and the influence of AI. Featured on Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Loughborough University, Lensa, Best Colleges, Upjourney, and many more, Brian is your go-to resource for navigating the ever-evolving career development field. Join him at brianvanderwaal.com for expert advice tailored to success.

    Similar Posts

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *