Why This Matters
If you’ve been on LinkedIn while job hunting, you’ve probably been approached by “recruiters” offering to connect you with amazing opportunities — only to later tell you your resume isn’t “ATS compliant” and refer you to their “professional resume writer” for hundreds of dollars.
This isn’t a favor. It’s a scam. And it’s becoming one of the most common traps desperate job seekers fall into in 2024–2025.
How the Scam Works
- The Approach
The scammer sends a friendly, professional-sounding LinkedIn message: “I came across your profile and think you’d be a great fit for some open roles I’m working on. What kind of position are you looking for? What’s your target salary?” - The Bait
They ask you to send your resume so they can “submit” you for the opportunity. You feel hopeful — someone finally noticed you. - The Hook
A day or two later, they reply: “Unfortunately, your resume is not compliant with the ATS system the company uses. Before I can submit you, I recommend you work with my resume partner, who can rewrite it very affordably.” - The Reality
There is no job. They never intended to submit your resume anywhere. The entire conversation was engineered to create urgency, make you question your own resume, and sell you a service you didn’t ask for.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Vague job details — They can’t give you the company name, a direct posting link, or the hiring manager’s info.
- No professional email domain — Real recruiters use @company.com or @agencyname.com, not Gmail, Yahoo, or ProtonMail.
- Resume criticism with no specifics — “It’s not ATS compliant” without citing actual formatting issues or keyword gaps.
- Immediate push to a paid service — Especially if it’s “their trusted partner” or “the only service that works.”
- No LinkedIn history — Few connections, generic posts, no endorsements, and no track record in your industry.
Why It’s So Convincing
These scammers prey on the emotional exhaustion of job seekers. After months of sending applications into the ATS “black hole,” being told your resume won’t even get seen triggers fear and urgency. It makes you want to fix the “problem” immediately — and that’s precisely what they’re counting on.
What Real Recruiters Do
Legitimate recruiters:
- Provide the job title, company name, and job posting link.
- Give you real, specific feedback if your resume needs changes.
- Never require you to pay for a resume rewrite before submitting you.
- Often help tweak your resume for free to match the role.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify the recruiter. Look for a company domain email and cross-check their LinkedIn history.
- Ask for the job link. If they can’t give it, it’s likely fake.
- Push back on vague feedback. Ask what exactly is non-compliant and which ATS they’re referring to.
- Don’t pay for a rushed fix. If your resume needs ATS optimization, there are legitimate, free, and affordable options that don’t involve mystery recruiters.
Free Resource: The Real ATS Optimization Guide
I’ve written a free, detailed guide that explains how real ATS systems work, how to format your resume for them, and how to avoid getting filtered out. You can read it here: ATS Resume Optimization: 2025 Master Guide.
With the right knowledge, you can skip the scams, write a resume that works for humans and machines, and stay in control of your job search.
Final Thought
These scams are so effective because they blend just enough truth (yes, ATS parsing is a real thing) with just enough fear to get you to hand over money. The best defense is knowing how ATS actually works so that you can spot the difference between legitimate feedback and manipulative sales tactics.
Stay sharp, protect your wallet, and remember — the right recruiter will never ask you to pay to be considered for a role.