ATS Optimization
Get past the filter and in front of a human being.
Most strong executives are screened out by software before a person ever sees them. We teach you exactly how applicant tracking systems parse, rank, and reject resumes — and how to write one that survives both the machine and the hiring manager.
How ATS platforms actually read a resume
Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS, and Lever each parse differently. We walk through what they extract, what they discard, and where beautifully designed executive resumes quietly fall apart.
- Parsing rules by platform
- What breaks: tables, columns, headers, graphics
- Where your file format matters
Keyword strategy that still reads like a leader
Keyword stuffing is obvious to recruiters and increasingly penalized. We show you how to mirror the language of a posting while keeping executive tone and credibility intact.
- Job-description mapping method
- Hard skills, titles, and scope signals
- Natural placement across the document
The executive failure points
Senior resumes fail ATS for predictable reasons — non-standard titles, consulting gaps, board work in the wrong section, and 20-year histories that dilute relevance.
- Title translation for non-standard roles
- Handling interim, consulting, and board work
- Relevance windows and how far back to go
Test, verify, and apply with confidence
You leave with a checked resume and a repeatable process for every future application, so you are not guessing whether your file made it through.
- Live parse testing of your document
- Application-tracking discipline
- When to apply direct vs. through the portal
Frequently asked questions
ATS optimization — common questions.
Do applicant tracking systems really reject resumes automatically?
Most systems do not auto-reject; they rank and filter. The practical effect is the same — if you rank low on the recruiter's screen, no human reads you. Optimization moves you up that list.
Is a PDF or Word file better for ATS?
Modern systems parse both, but a cleanly structured Word or text-based PDF is safest. Scanned images, tables, and text inside headers or footers cause the most parsing failures.
How long is an ATS training session?
Typically one to two hours, at $179–$500 per hour depending on the depth of the session. A discount applies when you book three or more sessions at a time.
Can you just fix my resume instead of teaching me?
Yes. ATS-compliant writing is built into every resume engagement. This service is for people who also want to understand the system and manage it themselves.
Next Step
Schedule a Discovery Call
Book a confidential 30-minute conversation with Heather Joy Hill. National engagements welcome.
Investment
Transparent ranges. Custom scope.
Every executive search is different, so every engagement is scoped after we talk. These ranges tell you what to expect before you ever pick up the phone.
Coaching Sessions
$179 – $500 / hour
Hourly 1:1 coaching — interview prep, resume strategy, LinkedIn strategy, ATS training, and AI coaching. Rate depends on the type of session and the level of the search.
Discount offered when you book 3 or more sessions at a time.
À La Carte Services
$299 – $1,295
Individual deliverables: executive resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, executive/board bio, or a LinkedIn in the Wild interview video. Pick exactly what you need.
Priced per deliverable by level and complexity.
Signature Packages
$1,795 – $5,000
Every package includes coaching, ChatGPT training and guides, ATS compliance training with a reusable resume template, and live editing sessions — combined with your documents and LinkedIn.
All packages start at $1,795.
White Glove Service
Custom quote
Our highest-touch engagement for C-suite and board candidates — done-for-you documents, priority turnaround, direct access, and end-to-end search support until you land.
Quoted after a confidential discovery call.