We receive over 100 applications every hour when we post a job on LinkedIn. We end up reviewing less than 5% of these submissions before filling the position.
Most applicants on LinkedIn don’t understand how its Applicant Tracking System (ATS) works. Without that knowledge, they miss opportunities to make their job applications stand out. We happen to be in a pretty competitive job market, and simply hitting “Easy Apply” doesn’t cut it these days.
To level the playing field, here are five simple, actionable tips to help you break through the clutter and increase your chances of getting noticed.
Add a profile picture
LinkedIn’s ATS displays your profile picture in a fairly substantial 45px by 45px frame. Your photo is often the first — and sometimes only — thing a reviewer notices before deciding whether to click on your profile.
In a sea of hundreds of applicants, a default placeholder image is easy to overlook. Adding a clear, professional photo not only helps you stand out but also allows the reviewer to associate a face with your resume — creating a more personal connection.
Make that first impression count with a high-quality friendly profile picture.
Upload your resume as a PDF
Here’s a tip most people overlook. LinkedIn’s ATS requires us to download .docx files, but PDFs open directly in the browser. This makes PDFs much quicker and easier to review in the middle of a busy hiring process.
That extra step of downloading a Word file can be enough to move on to the next candidate when reviewing hundreds of applications. Plus, Word documents often have formatting issues that vary depending on the platform or software version being used. PDFs preserve your layout exactly as intended, and keep your resume looking polished no matter where it’s opened.
Help reduce friction for the reviewer. Stick to PDF files for a hassle-free review process.
Act on the call to action
We frequently include a Call to Action (CTA) at the bottom of each posting to ensure applicants have carefully read the job description before applying. The CTA could be something simple, like sending a brief email, joining our Discord server, or following one of our social media pages.
It may seem like a small step, but we only review applications from candidates who have completed the CTA. This serves as an easy, objective way for us to filter out those who just hit “Easy Apply” without putting in any extra effort.
Follow the CTA. It shows us you’re detail-oriented and genuinely interested in the position — qualities that stand out in a competitive hiring process.
Proofread your AI-generated content
We get it — everyone’s using AI tools these days, and that’s perfectly fine! But at least proofread what you’re sending, and try to add a personal touch. We’ve seen applications with entire sections that feel robotic, overly generic, or—believe it or not—still contain the original GPT prompts.
A genuine 3-line message written by you will always resonate more than 3 paragraphs of AI-generated humdrum that lacks warmth or specificity. While AI can help with structure, an overly mechanical tone comes across as impersonal and detached.
Don’t skip the human element. Make a lasting impression on whoever’s reviewing your application.
Keep an active LinkedIn profile
Think of your LinkedIn profile as an extension of your resume — it’s often the first thing we look at before even opening your resume. A well-rounded, active profile gives us a sense of your personality, your professional interests, and how engaged you are with your field.
Don’t just stick to the basics of listing your academic credentials and job titles in your LinkedIn profile. Highlight the projects you’ve worked on, share your career goals, and showcase your passions through posts, articles, or even by commenting on industry discussions.
A sparse activity log makes it harder for us to gauge who you are beyond your resume.
It’s a tough market out there. Hopefully, these tips help you navigate some of the hidden hurdles in the job application process, and make your stand out from the crowd.
Good luck with the hunt, and don’t forget to keep pushing forward!
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