Demystifying the ATS: How to Get Your Resume Past the "Robot" with Marisol Maloney

Lessons Learned for Vets

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Ever felt like your carefully crafted resume disappeared into the void of an applicant tracking system? You're not alone. In this myth-busting conversation, Navy veteran, defense industry recruiter and resume writer Marisol Maloney pulls back the curtain on what really happens when you hit "submit" on that job application.
"The ATS bot that's rejecting you is me and the other human bots doing it," Marisol reveals, immediately dispelling the common misconception that faceless algorithms are solely responsible for application rejections. Throughout our conversation, she provides a refreshingly transparent look at how recruiters actually use these systems. They use them not to eliminate candidates, but to organize and track them through the hiring process.
For transitioning military members, timing is everything. Applying too early (6-8 months before separation) almost guarantees rejection, as most employers need to fill positions within 30 days. Marisol shares the perfect application timeline: use your first year to determine what you want to do next, the following six months to network heavily, and only start actively applying 2-3 months before your availability date.
We dive deep into resume strategy, debunking the concept of "keyword stuffing" and exploring what effective tailoring actually means. "If you're spending over an hour tailoring your resume," Marisol explains, "you're either not understanding the assignment or you're not qualified for that role." Her practical advice includes limiting yourself to five targeted applications weekly rather than "papering the world" with hundreds of generic resumes.
Perhaps most valuable is Marisol's perspective on translating military experience for civilian employers. The imposter syndrome that plagues many veterans often stems from difficulty articulating their value, not from any lack of skills. "Just because you can't translate your skills doesn't mean you don't have them," she emphasizes, encouraging veterans to think beyond their military responsibilities and focus on transferable capabilities.
Listen now to transform your job search strategy with insider knowledge from someone who reviews military resumes daily, and discover why the most important person to write your resume for isn't an ATS system—it's the human on the other side.

You can connect with Marisol Maloney at https://https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney//

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1. Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Demystifying the ATS System (00:02:31)

3. The Truth About Resume Tailoring (00:08:01)

4. How Recruiters Actually Use ATS (00:12:56)

5. Keywords vs. Meaningful Content (00:17:45)

6. Best Timing for Military Transition Job Search (00:24:44)

7. Translating Military Skills for Civilian Employers (00:31:30)

8. Write Resumes for People, Not Robots (00:37:20)