ATS-Friendly Resume Guide: How to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems in 2025

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Did you know that 75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human ever sees them? If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS, you could be missing out on your dream job — even if you’re perfectly qualified.

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about creating an ATS-friendly resume that passes automated screening and lands in front of hiring managers.

Create Your ATS-Friendly Resume Now

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to manage their recruitment process. It scans, sorts, and ranks resumes based on keywords, formatting, and relevance to the job description. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of small businesses use ATS to filter applications.

When you submit your resume online, it typically goes through this process:

1. Parsing: The ATS extracts text from your resume and organizes it into categories (contact info, work experience, education, skills)
2. Keyword matching: The system compares your resume against the job description’s keywords
3. Ranking: Resumes are scored and ranked based on relevance
4. Filtering: Only top-ranked resumes reach human recruiters

Why Most Resumes Fail ATS Screening

Common reasons resumes get rejected by ATS include:

1. Poor Formatting

Fancy designs, tables, columns, headers/footers, and graphics confuse ATS parsers. The system may scramble your information or skip sections entirely.

2. Missing Keywords

If your resume doesn’t contain the exact keywords from the job description, the ATS will rank it lower — even if you have the required skills.

3. Wrong File Format

Some ATS struggle with certain file types. While PDF is generally safe, some older systems prefer .docx files.

4. Non-Standard Section Headers

Creative section titles like “Where I’ve Made an Impact” instead of “Work Experience” can confuse the parser.

5. Missing Contact Information

If your contact details are in a header, footer, or text box, the ATS might not capture them.

How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Use a Clean, Simple Format

Follow these formatting rules:

• Use a single-column layout
• Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia)
• Use 10-12pt font size for body text
• Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, and graphics
• Don’t put important information in headers or footers
• Use standard bullet points (•) not symbols or icons

Step 2: Use Standard Section Headers

ATS systems look for specific section names. Use these exact headers:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary or Summary
• Work Experience or Professional Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications (if applicable)

Step 3: Optimize for Keywords

Keywords are crucial for ATS success. Here’s how to optimize:

1. Analyze the job description: Identify required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities
2. Match exact phrasing: If the job says “project management,” use that exact phrase, not “managed projects”
3. Include both acronyms and full terms: Write “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” to cover both versions
4. Add a dedicated Skills section: List relevant hard and soft skills that match the job requirements
5. Naturally incorporate keywords: Don’t stuff keywords — use them contextually in your experience descriptions

Step 4: Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers and metrics make your resume more compelling to both ATS and human readers:

Before: “Managed social media accounts and increased engagement”

After: “Managed 5 social media platforms, increasing engagement by 150% and growing followers from 10K to 50K in 12 months”

Step 5: Save in the Right Format

For maximum compatibility:

• PDF: Best for most modern ATS (preserves formatting)
• .docx: Safe fallback if the job posting requests Word format
• Avoid: .jpg, .png, .pages, or other non-standard formats

ATS-Friendly Resume Template Structure

Here’s the optimal structure for an ATS-compliant resume:

[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [City, State] | [LinkedIn URL]

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
2-3 sentences summarizing your experience, key skills, and career goals.

WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [Location] | [Dates]
• Achievement-focused bullet point with metrics
• Achievement-focused bullet point with metrics
• Achievement-focused bullet point with metrics

EDUCATION
[Degree] | [University Name] | [Graduation Year]

SKILLS
[Skill 1] • [Skill 2] • [Skill 3] • [Skill 4] • [Skill 5]

CERTIFICATIONS
[Certification Name] | [Issuing Organization] | [Year]

Build Your ATS Resume with Our Free Tool

ATS Resume Checklist

Before submitting your resume, verify these items:

• ☑️ Single-column, clean layout
• ☑️ Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• ☑️ No tables, text boxes, or graphics
• ☑️ Standard section headers
• ☑️ Contact info in the body (not header/footer)
• ☑️ Keywords from job description included
• ☑️ Achievements quantified with numbers
• ☑️ Saved as PDF or .docx
• ☑️ File name includes your name (e.g., “John_Smith_Resume.pdf”)

Common ATS Myths Debunked

Myth 1: “I need a fancy design to stand out”

Reality: Creative designs often hurt your chances. ATS can’t parse complex layouts, and even human recruiters prefer clean, easy-to-read resumes.

Myth 2: “I should stuff my resume with keywords”

Reality: Keyword stuffing can get you flagged as spam. Use keywords naturally and contextually.

Myth 3: “ATS can read any file format”

Reality: Many ATS struggle with PDFs that have complex formatting, images, or are scanned documents. Use properly formatted Word or PDF files.

Myth 4: “Once I pass ATS, I’m guaranteed an interview”

Reality: ATS is just the first filter. Your resume still needs to impress human recruiters. Balance optimization with compelling content.

Industry-Specific ATS Tips

Technology & IT

Include specific programming languages, frameworks, tools, and certifications. Use both abbreviated and full terms (e.g., “JavaScript (JS),” “Amazon Web Services (AWS)”).

Healthcare

List licenses, certifications, and specializations prominently. Include EMR/EHR systems you’ve used.

Finance & Accounting

Highlight certifications (CPA, CFA), software proficiency (QuickBooks, SAP), and regulatory knowledge.

Marketing

Include specific tools (Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce), campaign types, and measurable results.

Test Your Resume’s ATS Compatibility

Want to check if your resume is ATS-friendly? Here are some ways:

1. Copy-paste test: Copy your resume into a plain text editor. If it’s readable and organized, most ATS can parse it.
2. Use our free resume builder: StylingCV’s resume builder automatically creates ATS-optimized resumes with proper formatting.
3. Compare to job description: Manually check that your resume contains key terms from the job posting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use color in an ATS-friendly resume?

Yes, but use it sparingly. Stick to one accent color for headers or your name. Avoid colored backgrounds or text boxes.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

In the US, no — photos can cause parsing issues and bias concerns. In other countries, follow local conventions.

How many pages should my ATS resume be?

1-2 pages is ideal. Entry-level candidates should aim for one page; experienced professionals can use two.

Do I need a different resume for every job?

Yes! Tailor your resume to each job description by adjusting keywords and emphasizing relevant experience.

Create Your ATS-Friendly Resume Today

Don’t let an algorithm stand between you and your dream job. With StylingCV’s free resume builder, you can create a professionally designed, ATS-optimized resume in minutes.

All our 39+ resume templates are tested for ATS compatibility, so you can focus on showcasing your skills — not worrying about formatting.

Create Your ATS-Friendly Resume — It’s Free

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