The year 2024 brought unexpected challenges for many in the tech industry, and Cliff Wade was one of them. After seven dedicated years with Nova Launcher and a subsequent period with Branch Metrics following its acquisition, August 7th, 2024, delivered the unwelcome news of a layoff impacting 120 employees, including Cliff. Suddenly, a professional who had been steadily employed for nearly a decade found himself thrust back into a job market he hadn’t navigated in roughly 15 years.
The Harsh Reality of Modern Job Hunting
Cliff’s initial optimism was quickly shattered. He naively thought a few applications and his years of experience would swiftly lead to interviews. The reality, as he described it, was “atrocious and absolutely insane in a very bad way”.The job hunting market had transformed dramatically since his last foray in the late 2000s.
His first instinct was familiar: dust off his old resume, a document he’d maintained online for years, adding his most recent role. He jumped onto LinkedIn, relying on the seemingly straightforward “Easy Apply” feature. Weeks passed with silence. Not even a single acknowledgment. Cliff was dumbfounded.
Falling into the Template Trap
Realizing his resume might be the issue, Cliff embarked on a quick online search. He encountered a barrage of advice suggesting professional resume templates for customer support roles, with colors and fancy formatting. He diligently updated his resume’s appearance using free online resume builders, hopping from site to site to avoid subscription fees. Yet, the silence persisted. He wasn’t tailoring his resume content to specific job descriptions, a practice that wasn’t common in his previous job search.
Then, a crucial term began to surface: ATS, or Applicant Tracking System. The realization dawned on Cliff: these weren’t humans reviewing his application; they were machines scanning for specific keywords to decide if his resume even reached human eyes.
Understanding ATS, But Still Lost in the Maze
Knowing about ATS was one thing; understanding how to “beat it” was another. The internet, according to him, is a confusing landscape of conflicting advice. Should he use colors? Were templates helpful or harmful for ATS resume readability? He was back at square one, realizing that simply listing skills mentioned in job postings – like Salesforce, Notion, Jira, and Slack – in a generic “Skills” section wasn’t enough. His resume score, with this new understanding, likely went from a 0 to 15 on a scale of 100, a significant jump, but still not enough to pass ATS screening. He felt that he needed an ATS resume template for Customer Support professionals but didn’t know where to find one.
A Lifeline from a Friend
Around this time, a friend introduced Cliff to Upplai. Initially skeptical of needing a “system” for job applications, especially given his “old school” approach, Cliff’s perspective began to shift out of necessity. He was spending hours tailoring his resume for each application, still without success.
The moment he tried Upplai, it was a revelation. Pasting a job listing URL into Upplai and receiving a tailored resume in a matter of seconds was “mind blowing”. It instantly saved him 30-40 minutes per application. Even though the initial resume score Upplai provided (around 40) wasn’t perfect, it was a sign he was finally on the right track.
Beyond Basic Keywords: Understanding the Nuances of ATS Optimization
Cliff quickly learned that ATS resume optimization went far beyond simply copying keywords from the job description. Upplai helped him understand that for a role requiring “2-3 years of Notion experience,” the ATS might also be looking for related terms like “web browser” and “internet connection”. Upplai’s “magic,” as Cliff described it, lay in its ability to identify the essential list of 20-30 relevant keywords needed to bypass the ATS system for a specific job.
While Upplai provided an excellent starting point, Cliff also learned the importance of refining the generated resume. He experimented with adding context to his skills, explaining how he used tools like Jira and Notion over his career. This not only helped him beat the ATS but also impressed human reviewers later in the process.
From Zero Responses to Multiple Interviews
After using Upplai and refining the generated resumes, Cliff’s experience took a dramatic turn. He started receiving interview requests. The difference between his old, generic resume and the ATS-optimized versions created with Upplai was stark. Upplai helped him present the best version of himself to each prospective employer. He went from feeling stuck in the negative steps of his job search to progressing steadily. In one stretch, he had 9-10 interviews in a 2-week span.
Landing the Dream Job, Thanks to Upplai
Ultimately, Cliff landed a job he was thrilled about. He credits Upplai as the crucial factor in his success. For him, the most valuable feature was its ease of use – simply pasting a URL and getting a tailored resume in a matter of seconds. He now describes Upplai as a “lifesaver” and a tool that “100% helps you get to the next steps” in your job hunt, especially in this challenging job market.
His advice to fellow job seekers? Be persistent, and take advantage of resume assistants like Upplai.
You can watch the full interview with Cliff Wade below.
Ready to Conquer the ATS?
Like Cliff, are you tired of sending out countless applications with little to no response? Are you trying to find the best ATS resume template for customer support roles? Stop guessing and start getting results.
Try Upplai’s free resume optimization today and see the difference it makes! Get a head start on understanding your ATS resume score improvement and identify the ATS optimization techniques that will help your resume stand out for your desired roles.
