How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly: A Comprehensive Guide for Job Seekers
Getting your resume seen by an actual person shouldn't feel like winning the lottery. But with so many job applications running through automated filters, it can seem like your resume vanishes into some kind of digital black hole. If you want to beat the odds, which, thankfully, are slightly better than winning the lottery, you need an ATS-friendly resume. The kind of resume that gets past the software and into the hands of a real hiring manager.
This guide will show you exactly how to do that, with practical advice for the current job market.
Let CVMaker guide you through the resume writing process, offering a choice of ATS-friendly resume templates.
What is an ATS-Friendly Resume?
Wondering what ATS-friendly even means? ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, and it’s software that most employers and recruiters use to screen, organize, and even rank job applications before a human ever lays eyes on them. ATS software has become completely integrated into the modern hiring process because it helps employers sort through the thousands of applications they get for every job posting.
How ATS Software Works
When you submit your resume online, the ATS scans it for specific keywords and details that match what’s in the job description. It parses your resume and pulls out information like your job titles, dates, skills, and education, and then it ranks your resume based on how well it fits the employer’s criteria. If your resume doesn’t rank, that might be the end of the road for you.
Here’s how to do it right and what to avoid:
Sample Job Description Snippet
Looking for a Marketing Specialist with experience in content strategy, SEO optimization, and Google Analytics. Must be able to manage digital campaigns and analyze website metrics.
Do This (ATS-Friendly Resume Example):
Professional Experience
Marketing Specialist, ABC Company
June 2021 - Present
- Developed and executed content strategy for monthly blog and social channels
- Led SEO optimization strategies, increasing organic search traffic by 30%
- Managed digital campaigns across Google Ads and Facebook
- Analyzed website metrics using Google Analytics to improve campaign performance
Don’t Do This (Vague, Not ATS-Friendly)
Professional Experience
Marketing Specialist, ABC Company
June 2021 - Present
- Worked on online marketing projects
- Improved web presence and brand awareness
- Helped with reporting and analysis
- Ran various advertising effort
Why This Works
The “do this” version mirrors the exact language and skills that were in the job description, so the ATS will recognize them and give the resume a high rank. On the flipside, the “don’t do this” example uses vague descriptions and misses all the keywords, so it’s much less likely to make it past the initial screening. Even though the applicant may have more skills and experience than the “do this” applicant!
Why Recruiters Rely on ATS
Recruiters love to use the tech because of the sheer volume of applications they receive, a number that’s just going up, unfortunately. ATS helps them stay organized, and more importantly—to them, at least—it means they can power through the resumes without missing out on what they feel is top talent.
Whatever the reason, if your resume isn’t formatted for ATS, you risk getting passed over, no matter how qualified you are.
Key Elements of an ATS-Friendly Resume
It’s about more than just keywords. It’s about making your information easy to read by software and by people. You want your experience to be understood, matched to the role you’re applying for, and then given a fair shot at making it to the next round.
Using the Right Keywords
Bottom line: if you want to get past ATS, you need to use the right keywords. And the right keywords are the specific skills, qualifications, and tools mentioned in the job posting. For example, if a job ad lists “project management,” “data analysis,” or “customer relationship management,” try to use those exact phrases—but only if you genuinely have the mentioned skills or experience, of course! Never use any kind of jargon that might be specific to a company or invent job titles that an ATS might not recognize.
To find your keywords, read job postings carefully and highlight any repeated words or phrases. Then match those to your skills and experience. Your goal is to mirror the employer’s language in a way that reads naturally and honestly, not forced or artificial.
Format for Simplicity
If you’re tempted to use some kind of funky formatting so your resume stands out, resist the temptation.
ATS software works best with simple, straightforward resumes, so stick with a single-column, reverse-chronological format. Use standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman, and keep your section headings clear and conversational. For example, Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Avoid graphics, multiple columns, text boxes, or anything that could confuse the system.
Tip: If you’re a visual learner, take a look at a selection of resume examples and templates.
How to Check if Your Resume is ATS-Friendly
Want to know how to check if your resume is ATS-friendly? Here are a couple of quick ways to find out before you upload it.
A Plain Text Test
Copy your resume and paste it into a basic text editor like Notepad. Now take a close look at it. Does everything show up in the right order? Are your section headings clear, and are your bullet points and dates where they should be? If some of your information appears to be lost or it’s there but garbled, chances are the ATS is going to see exactly what you see—or don’t see.
Clean up your formatting until your resume looks as clear in plain text as it does in Word or Google Docs.
Online ATS Resume Checkers
If you want to take it to the next level, there are several free and paid tools you can find online that will let you upload your resume. They’ll check for any formatting issues and look for keyword alignment by comparing your resume to a specific job description, and then give you feedback.
Are you writing a job application for the first time? Follow our guide on how to write a resume for your first job.
Top Tips for Creating an ATS-Friendly Resume
Creating an ATS-friendly resume isn’t about gaming the system, it’s about making your qualifications easy to find and understand, whether they’re being read by a robot or a human.
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job
Think of this as your secret weapon. Every ATS is a little different, and every employer will have unique needs. So start by carefully reading the job posting, underlining any qualifications, responsibilities, and specific skills that are mentioned more than once. Then update your resume’s history, skills, and work experience to match that language. Be honest and accurate!
If you’re applying to several similar jobs, you might notice that the same keywords come up again and again. It’s a good idea to keep a master resume that includes all your experience, skills, and achievements, then create targeted versions for each application.
2. Choose the Right Resume Format
There are a lot of different ways to organize a resume, but the reverse-chronological format is accepted as the best for ATS systems. That means you list your most recent job first, and then you work backward. It’s an approach that makes sense to the software, but it also shows recruiters your most relevant and most up to date achievements right away.
If you work in a creative industry or you need to showcase a non-traditional background, save the fancy formatting for your website or portfolio. For ATS and most recruiters, all they want is clarity.
3. Digital Skills
We’re a quarter of the way into the 21st century, and tech is moving fast. That means digital skills are more important than ever, even in roles that aren’t traditionally tech-focused. So make sure you highlight any proficiency you have with popular business tools like Slack, Zoom, Asana, or Salesforce.
Though many companies are enforcing back-to-the-office rules, if you have experience with a remote or hybrid work environment, mention it. Phrases like “managed remote teams” or “coordinated virtual projects” will show your adaptability.
Make Your Achievements Stand Out
Numbers and results matter.
ATS systems and recruiters love to see accomplishments that you can quantify. So whenever possible, use concrete numbers to describe the impact your work had. You want to use details that are good for getting you past software—your first hurdle—and impress a hiring manager. For example:
- Increased sales by 20%
- Managed a team of 15
- Launched 10+ marketing campaigns
Common Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them
There are some ATS traps that even experienced professionals can fall into, but the good news is they’re easy to fix once you know what to watch out for.
1. Design and Layout
Stay away from flashy templates with multiple columns, banners, or graphics. You may think they look appealing, but they often trip up ATS software. Stick to a clean, single-column format.
Never put important information, like your name, contact details, or job titles, in the header or footer of your resume. ATS systems sometimes ignore those sections entirely, meaning details can get left out!
2. Keyword and Content
Submitting a resume that’s keyword rich but lacking in any real context won’t help you. Always use industry terms and specific job titles, but only if they honestly match your experience. So if your current or most recent job title is something unique that the company created, that’s probably not what you should use. Instead, you’ll need to clarify your title for the ATS and recruiters in a way that’s both truthful and clear.
Here’s an example:
If your current title is Customer Success Wizard, do this: Customer Success Manager (Customer Success Wizard)
3. Gaps or Short-Term Jobs
If you have gaps in your employment history or you've got a few short-term gigs here and there, don’t try to disguise them with formatting tricks. The ATS will detect any inconsistencies in your dates. So what should you do? Address them honestly in your summary, and briefly mention what you did.
Here’s how to address a gap:
Professional Summary
Here’s how to address short-term gigs:
Professional Summary
Dos
- Use clear, standard headings
- Saved as PDF unless otherwise stated
- Tailor keywords to each application
- Keep formatting simple
- Use bullet points
- Quantify any achievements
- Highlight digital skills
Don’ts
- Use graphics, tables, or columns
- Use images or scanned documents
- Stuff with irrelevant keywords
- Put vital info in headers or footers
- Write long paragraphs
- Leave out results
- Skip tech proficiencies
How to Optimize Your Resume for Different ATS Systems
Not all ATS systems are created equal. Some of them are more advanced and flexible, but others are going to less forgiving when it comes to formatting or file types. That means you need to follow the instructions in each job posting if you want to maximize your chances.
If a company says they want your resume in a Word document, don’t assume a PDF will do. When in doubt, a .docx file is usually the safest bet.
Another good strategy is to keep a detailed master resume that has all your experience and skills. Each time you prepare a resume for a new job application, make a fresh copy and edit it so that it fits the requirements found in the post. Using this approach will help you keep your applications relevant—and ATS-friendly—every time.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at one of our master resume examples.
ATS-Friendly Resume Templates
It’s easy to find templates online. A quick Google search will provide you with limitless options, but is that great looking template compatible with ATS? A truly ATS-friendly resume is single-column, uses standard font choices, and avoids graphics, colored borders, and fancy icons. Section headings should be easy to find and clearly labeled. Even if a template looks modern, templates with multiple columns, images, or unusual fonts should be avoided. A clean, simple ATS-friendly resume format is always the safer and smarter choice.
If you’re unsure, do the plain text test mentioned above or stick with templates from trusted sources. If you want to scroll through a selection of ATS-friendly templates that are kept up to date, check out our example templates.
Checklist: How To Check If My Resume Is ATS Friendly?
Before you hit “apply,” go through this quick checklist to make sure your resume is set up for success:
- Clean, single-column layout?
- Standard section headings?
- Keywords match the job description honestly?
- No vital info in headers or footers?
- Saved in the preferred ATS-friendly resume format of PDF unless otherwise stated?
- No graphics, tables, or fancy fonts?
- Quantified achievements where possible?
- Digital skills and remote experience included if relevant?
Going through a last review can save you from common mistakes and boost your chances at every stage.
Key Takeaways
Building an ATS-friendly resume is all about making your qualifications easy to find and match by the software and a real recruiter. Focus on honest, specific language, organize your information clearly, and tailor your content to each job posting.
Keep these points in mind when you work on your resume:
- Use the right keywords: Mirror the skills and requirements in the job post.
- Keep your formatting simple: Stick to a clean, single-column layout with standard headings, and avoid graphics or tables that can confuse ATS systems.
- Show real results: Highlight your achievements with concrete numbers or outcomes whenever possible.
No matter how small, whatever adjustment you make helps your resume rise to the top of the pile.
FAQs
What is the best ATS resume checker?
Reliable ATS resume checkers include Jobscan, Resume Worded, and SkillSyncer. They let you compare your resume to a job description and offer tips on formatting and keywords.
Can ATS checkers detect resume lies?
No, ATS software can only match keywords and structure, and likely flag contradictory dates. Lies might get you an interview, but not a job. Background checks and interviews will reveal the truth.
Is a 70% ATS score good?
Yes. A score of 70% or higher is usually considered a good match for a job posting. But if you’re applying for something highly competitive, aim for 80% or higher if you can.
Can I tell if a company uses ATS?
Most companies that require an online application are now using some form of ATS. So if you’re using a structured application portal to upload your resume, have to fill out individual fields separately, and/or you get an automated confirmation email, there’s a good chance your resume is getting filtered through ATS.
Is it better to use PDF or a Word doc for ATS?
Currently, the best choice is PDF. Only use a Word doc if an employer specifically asks for one.