> I noticed that applicant-tracking systems tended to not know what to do with the PDF, and I started to suspect that some companies weren't actually seeing my resume as a result.
That’s a feature as far as I’m concerned. Companies that use these monstrosity ATSs that can’t be bothered to parse a valid PDF CV and that require hoops just to apply (create yet another account in their ATS, copy my cv into hundreds of text boxes, can’t proceed without a salary expectation or past salary history etc are places I want nothing to do with.
That’s a feature as far as I’m concerned. Companies that use these monstrosity ATSs that can’t be bothered to parse a valid PDF CV and that require hoops just to apply (create yet another account in their ATS, copy my cv into hundreds of text boxes, can’t proceed without a salary expectation or past salary history etc are places I want nothing to do with.