Month: November 2025

Trust is the foundation of every strong media partnership. Across newsrooms, agencies, production companies, creative studios and digital-first brands, the industry depends on genuine relationships. When organisations search for talent, they are not only filling roles. They are placing trust in partners who understand the pace, the culture and the personality of a close-knit media world.

Media is an industry where reputation moves quickly, and networks run deep. Employers want partners who understand their goals, values and team dynamics. Candidates want honest guidance and real support.

With trust, recruitment becomes more than matching a CV to a job. It becomes a relationship that strengthens teams and supports long-term growth.

We LOVE to talk about ATS Systems at Think Differently! They have their place but PEOPLE build trust

AI tools continue to evolve, helping improve searches, manage volume, and streamline processes. ATS systems also play a massive role in managing applications and keeping workflows organised.

But technology cannot replace trust.

Behind every CV is a person with ambition, personality and potential. Behind every hire is a team with its own rhythm, culture and creative style. Understanding these human elements takes conversation, insight and empathy. It comes from real industry experience, not algorithms.

AI can support the search. Trust shapes the outcome.

What builds trust with a recruitment partner?

Deep industry understanding
Media moves quickly. Trust grows when recruiters understand content, creative, digital, advertising, PR, technology and emerging trends, with confidence and clarity.

Clear and honest communication
Straight talking matters. Trust builds when recruiters offer open feedback on roles, expectations and market conditions.

A people-first mindset
Candidates trust agencies that see their full potential, not just their paperwork. Coaching, preparation and genuine care make a real difference.

Consistency and integrity
Irish Media is close-knit. Confidentiality, fairness and reliability earn long-lasting respect.

Trust connects the right people with the right opportunities. It speeds up hiring, strengthens performance and builds confidence for everyone involved.

At Think Differently, we understand the media and marketing landscape at every level. Our deep sector knowledge helps us connect top talent with roles across advertising, marketing, PR, creative, ecommerce, technology, digital and social media. We bring over 35 years of combined media and marketing experience. Together, we combine industry insight, strong relationships and a commitment to inclusive, people-first hiring.

Media is our home, talent is our passion and creating impact together is our goal.

If you’ve been applying to jobs and hearing nothing but crickets, take a deep breath. You’re not alone and chances are, it’s not about your qualifications it’s about getting past the robots first.

Meet the ATS: Your CV’s First Interviewer

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become the digital gatekeepers of the hiring world. These software systems scan, parse and rank CVs before a human ever lays eyes on them. In fact, studies suggest that up to 75% of CVs never make it past the ATS screening.

That’s right your carefully crafted CV might be getting rejected by an algorithm, not a person.

The Ghosting Phenomenon

Let’s address the elephant in the room: ghosting. You submit your application, maybe even have an interview, and then… silence. While we absolutely don’t advocate for this practice (it’s frustrating and disrespectful to candidates who’ve invested their time), understanding why it happens can help you not take it personally.

Companies receive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications for a single role. Many organisations simply don’t have the resources to respond to everyone, especially when ATS systems are filtering most candidates out automatically. Others are managing multiple roles simultaneously and lose track of communication.

It’s not about your worth it’s about broken systems.

Creating an ATS-Friendly CV

The good news? You can beat the bots. Here’s how to create a CV that sails through ATS screening:

1. Format Matters More Than Ever

• Use a simple, clean layout with standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman)
• Stick to standard section headings: “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills” (not “Where I’ve Been” or other creative titles)
• Avoid tables, text boxes, headers and footers ATS systems often can’t read these
• Save as a .docx file unless specifically asked for a PDF (some ATS struggle with PDFs)
• Skip the graphics, logos and images they confuse the system

2. Keywords Are Your Secret Weapon

• Mirror the job description: If they say “project management,” use “project management” not “led projects”
• Include both acronyms and full terms: “Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)” covers all bases
• Front-load important keywords in your experience descriptions
• Use industry-specific terminology that appears in the job posting
• Create a skills section with relevant technical skills listed clearly

3. Structure for Success

• Use standard bullet points (•) not custom symbols
• Include your contact information at the top in plain text
• Add a skills section near the top of your CV
• Use standard date formats: “January 2023 – Present” or “01/2023 – Present”
• Spell out numbers under ten and use numerals for 10 and above

4. Content Optimisation Tips

• Tailor each application: Yes, it takes time, but customize your CV for each role by emphasising relevant experience and incorporating job-specific keywords
• Use action verbs: Started sentences with “Managed,” “Developed,” “Led,” “Increased,” “Improved”
• Quantify achievements: “Increased sales by 35%” is better than “Increased sales significantly”
• Include certifications and qualifications in full with common abbreviations: “Project Management Professional (PMP)”
• Don’t hide employment gaps list them honestly; many ATS flag incomplete timelines

5. The Cover Letter Advantage

Don’t skip the cover letter if it’s optional. It gives you another opportunity to include keywords and showcase your personality and if you make it past the ATS, a human will read it.

Testing Your CV

Before you hit submit:

• Use online ATS scanners (Jobscan, Resume Worded) to test your CV against the job description
• Ask a friend to read it—if they can’t skim it easily, neither can the ATS
• Check for typos—they can throw off keyword matching
• Remove fancy formatting from any templates you’ve downloaded

Don’t Get Discouraged

Here’s the truth: job searching in the age of ATS is challenging, but it’s not impossible. Every successful person you admire has faced rejection. Every thriving professional has been ghosted.

Remember:

• Quality over quantity: 10 tailored applications will always beat 100 generic ones
• Follow up: If you haven’t heard back in 1-2 weeks, a polite email shows initiative
• Network: Many positions are filled through referrals, bypassing the ATS entirely
• Keep learning: Use the downtime to upskill and add new keywords to your CV
• Celebrate small wins: Making it to a phone screen? That’s progress!

The Bottom Line

The ATS isn’t evil it’s just a tool that helps overwhelmed hiring teams manage volume. By understanding how it works and optimising your CV accordingly, you’re already ahead of most candidates.

And when you do get ghosted? Dust yourself off, refine your approach, and keep going. The right opportunity is out there, and now you’re better equipped to make sure your CV actually gets seen.

You’ve got this.

If you need help with your CV you can always email hello@thinkdifferently.ie and speak to the team about the services we offer.

If you would like to learn more about our solutions and support at Think Differently Recruitment please contact us today for a more insights hello@thinkdifferently.ie

You can also follow us on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkdifferently-ie to stay update date with all our opportunities and advice.