Unemployed or No Degree? Learn How to Outsmart ATS and Get Your Resume Noticed.

One of the reasons why your job application gets an immediate rejection is because companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter candidates based on preset criteria, which can automatically disqualify applications before they reach a recruiter.

Some common ATS filters that may lead to rejection include:

• Missing a required degree (ATS may scan for phrases like ‘‘Bachelor’s degree’‘ or ‘‘Master’s degree’‘ ).

• Having an end date on your last position, which can indicate current unemployment.

• Holding multiple jobs in a short period, such as more than three roles within the last five years.

  
  

If your resume does not check these preset boxes, it might get rejected before anyone even reviews your qualifications. The good news is that there are ways to work around these filters and improve your chances of getting noticed.

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Degree

Many ATS systems scan resumes for specific degree-related keywords. If a job posting requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can strategically phrase your experience to align with these requirements without misrepresenting your qualifications.

In the “Education” section or summary, consider using phrases like:

• “Equivalent experience to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing through 8+ years of practical work and advanced training.”

• “Extensive hands-on experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.”

Make sure your resume demonstrates your alignment with the required skills.

You might wonder, ‘”Why include this if they’ll see I don’t have a degree anyway?”

The purpose of your resume is to secure a phone call. By the time a recruiter reaches the education section, they will have already reviewed your impressive experience and skills. If your background stands out, they will still reach out and, if the interview goes well, they will advocate for your candidacy.

How to Handle a Gap in Employment

Many ATS systems are programmed to flag unemployed candidates. To prevent your resume from being automatically filtered out, consider making your experience ‘”active” with one of these approaches:

💠 Volunteer for an organization in a role relevant to your profession.

Even if it’s just a few hours per week, you can list it as your current position. For example:

Pro Bono QA Analyst | May 2024 – Present

💠 Take on short-term contract work and update your resume accordingly. For instance:

Freelance Art Director | May 2024 - Present

By structuring your resume this way, you present yourself as actively engaged in your field, increasing your chances of passing ATS filters.

Addressing Frequent Job Changes

If you have changed jobs multiple times in the past few years, you can consolidate your experience under a broader title. Instead of listing multiple short-term positions separately, group them under a single role and list the companies you worked for. For example:

Freelance Marketing Strategist | March 2020 - Present

During interviews, you can describe the short-term jobs as your separate projects you completed for different clients, which frames your experience in a more stable and strategic way.

While applicant tracking systems can create frustrating barriers, they are not impossible to navigate. By strategically crafting your resume, you can improve your chances of making it past ATS filters and into the hands of a recruiter.

The goal is to get a conversation started.

Once you secure that first call, you have the opportunity to showcase your skills and make a strong case for why you are the right fit for the role.

If you need assistance with your resume, job search strategy, and interview skills, I'll be happy to help! 

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