How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume That Gets Past Applicant Tracking Systems

Getting your resume in front of the right people can be challenging, especially when companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage and screen job applications.

An ATS scans resumes to identify and extract relevant information such as skills, qualifications, work experience, education, certifications, and keywords. A resume with relevant keywords, a clean format, and clearly presented qualifications can perform better during automated screening and make a stronger first impression on a hiring manager.

However, creating an ATS-friendly resume does not mean stuffing it with keywords simply to satisfy software requirements. Your resume still needs to be clear, professional, relevant, and easy for a human recruiter to read.

If a resume is not ATS-friendly, it may be difficult for the software to properly extract important information before a recruiter ever reviews it.

This guide explains how to write an ATS-friendly resume, which resume format works best with ATS software, how to use keywords, what mistakes to avoid, and how to customize your resume for a specific job.

What Is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that helps employers collect, organize, filter, search, and manage job applications.

When you upload a resume to an ATS, the software may scan the document for information such as:

• Name and contact information
• Education
• Work experience
• Job titles
• Skills
• Keywords
• Certifications
• Qualifications
• Professional experience

Depending on the ATS and the employer’s settings, this information may be extracted and organized in different ways.

Recruiters can then search for specific skills, qualifications, job titles, or keywords and sort through large numbers of applications more efficiently.

An ATS does not necessarily reject a resume simply because it lacks a particular keyword. However, a resume that includes relevant terminology and skills from the job description can be easier for the system and recruiter to identify and evaluate.

Why Does an ATS-Friendly Resume Matter?

A resume may contain all the right skills and experience, but poor formatting can make it difficult for an ATS to correctly identify that information.

For example, some ATS platforms may have difficulty processing:

• Complex graphics
• Unusual formatting
• Multiple columns
• Tables
• Text boxes
• Images containing text
• Decorative elements
• Non-standard section headings

An ATS-friendly resume should therefore combine relevant content, appropriate keywords, simple formatting, and clear organization.

The goal is not simply to pass an automated screening system. The goal is to make your qualifications easy for both software and recruiters to understand.

How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume

1. Use a Simple Resume Format

A simple resume is generally easier for an ATS to process.

Use:

• Standard headings
• Professional fonts
• Clear sections
• Easy-to-read bullet points
• Consistent spacing
• Normal margins
• A simple layout

A basic resume without unnecessary graphics, tables, or complicated formatting can still look highly professional.

Use typography, spacing, bold headings, and consistent formatting to create a polished appearance without making the document difficult for software to read.

2. Use Standard Resume Section Headings

ATS software is generally designed to recognize common resume sections.

Use familiar headings such as:

• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Professional Experience
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications
• Projects

Avoid creative headings that may make it difficult for an ATS to identify the purpose of a section.

For example, instead of using “What I Bring to the Table,” use “Skills” or “Professional Summary.”

Simple and recognizable headings are safer.

3. Use an ATS-Friendly Font

Choose a professional, easy-to-read font.

Good options include:

• Arial
• Calibri
• Times New Roman
• Georgia
• Verdana
• Helvetica

A font size between 10 and 12 points is generally easy to read for the main body of a resume.

Use larger font sizes for your name and section headings when appropriate, but maintain consistency throughout the document.

4. Incorporate Relevant Keywords

Keywords play an important role in making your resume relevant to a particular job.

Start by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying important terms related to:

• Required skills
• Preferred skills
• Job titles
• Software
• Certifications
• Qualifications
• Industry terminology
• Responsibilities

For example, if a job description mentions:

• Google Ads
• Google Analytics
• SEO
• Keyword Research

these may be relevant keywords to incorporate into your resume if they accurately describe your experience.

Use keywords naturally in the appropriate sections rather than simply listing them repeatedly.

Important: Never add a skill simply because it appears in a job description if you do not actually possess that skill.

5. Use the Exact Keyword When It Accurately Describes Your Experience

When a job description uses a specific term, consider using the same terminology on your resume if it accurately represents your experience.

For example, if the job description says “Search Engine Optimization,” you can use:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

rather than only using “SEO.”

This approach allows you to include both the full term and the commonly used abbreviation without unnecessarily repeating keywords.

The same principle can apply to other terms, such as:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
• Human Resources (HR)

Use this strategy naturally and only when the terms accurately describe your experience.

6. Customize Your Resume for Every Application

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending exactly the same resume for every position.

An ATS-friendly resume should be customized according to the requirements of each job.

Start by reviewing the job description and identifying the most important:

• Skills
• Qualifications
• Responsibilities
• Tools
• Certifications
• Job-specific terminology

Then, make sure your relevant experience is clearly visible in your resume.

Example: SEO Specialist Resume

If you are applying for an SEO Specialist position, relevant skills might include:

• Technical SEO
• Keyword Research
• On-Page SEO
• Google Search Console
• Google Analytics
• Link Building
• SEO Audits
• Content Optimization

Example: Paid Advertising Resume

For a paid advertising position, relevant skills might include:

• Google Ads
• Meta Ads
• Performance Max
• Conversion Tracking
• Campaign Optimization
• PPC
• ROAS
• Keyword Targeting

Only include skills that you genuinely possess.

7. Include a Strong Professional Summary

Your professional summary should quickly explain who you are, what you do, and the value you can provide.

Keep it concise and relevant.

A strong professional summary can include:

• Years of experience
• Area of expertise
• Relevant skills
• Professional achievements
• Career specialization

Example:

Digital marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in SEO, Google Ads, content strategy, and website optimization. Experienced in managing search campaigns, improving organic visibility, and using analytics data to support marketing decisions.

Notice how relevant skills and experience are included naturally without keyword stuffing.

8. Use Job Titles That Clearly Describe Your Responsibilities

Your job title can help recruiters quickly understand your professional background.

If your internal job title is unclear or highly company-specific, you may use a slight variation that accurately describes your responsibilities.

For example:

Digital Growth Associate | SEO & Content Marketing

However, your revised title must remain truthful.

Do not change a job title in a way that exaggerates your experience or misrepresents your previous position.

9. Focus on Achievements Rather Than Only Responsibilities

An ATS-friendly resume still needs to impress human recruiters.

Simply listing responsibilities tells a recruiter what you were supposed to do, but achievements demonstrate the value you created.

For example, instead of:

Responsible for managing Google Ads campaigns.

Write:

Managed Google Ads campaigns across multiple service categories and increased lead generation through keyword optimization, bid adjustments, and conversion tracking.

Even better, quantify your results when possible:

Managed Google Ads campaigns that generated 35% more qualified leads over six months through keyword optimization and conversion tracking improvements.

Numbers provide context and make achievements more convincing.

10. Use Simple Bullet Points

Bullet points make a resume easier to scan.

Strong bullet points usually begin with action verbs such as:

• Managed
• Developed
• Created
• Improved
• Increased
• Reduced
• Analyzed
• Implemented
• Optimized
• Coordinated
• Led
• Delivered

Each bullet point should communicate a specific responsibility, achievement, contribution, or result.

Avoid long paragraphs because recruiters often scan resumes quickly.

What Resume Format Is Best for ATS?

A reverse-chronological resume is generally the safest format for ATS compatibility.

This format emphasizes your work history, starting with your most recent position and moving backward.

A simple reverse-chronological resume can include:

1. Name and contact information
2. Professional Summary
3. Skills
4. Work Experience
5. Education
6. Certifications
7. Relevant Projects

A functional resume focuses heavily on skills rather than chronological work history. While it can be useful in certain situations, it may make it harder for some ATS platforms and recruiters to understand your employment history.

How to Format Your Resume for ATS

Formatting can affect how an ATS reads your resume.

Use One Column Whenever Possible

A single-column resume is generally easier for ATS software to process.

Some systems can recognize multiple columns, but a simple one-column design reduces the risk of information being extracted in the wrong order.

Avoid Tables

Some ATS platforms may have difficulty interpreting information inside tables.

Instead of placing important information inside tables, use standard text and bullet points.

For example:

Skills

SEO | Google Ads | Content Marketing | Google Analytics | Keyword Research

Avoid Text Boxes

Important information inside text boxes may not always be extracted correctly.

Instead, place important information directly in the main body of the resume.

Use Caution With Headers and Footers

Some ATS platforms may ignore or incorrectly process information contained in headers and footers.

For this reason, it is safer to place important information such as your:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Location
• LinkedIn profile

in the main body of the document.

Avoid Images and Graphics

Do not use images or graphics to communicate important resume information.

For example, instead of using a graphic to represent your skill level, write:

Google Ads: Advanced

This makes the information accessible to both ATS software and human recruiters.

How to Write the Skills Section

Your skills section should be based on the requirements of the position.

When appropriate, organize your skills into relevant categories.

Technical Skills

• Search Engine Optimization
• Google Analytics
• Google Search Console
• Keyword Research
• Technical SEO
• Content Optimization

Marketing Skills

• Content Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Campaign Management
• Conversion Optimization

Avoid creating an excessively long list of skills.

Focus on skills that are relevant to the job and that you genuinely possess.

How Many Keywords Should You Put on a Resume?

There is no universal number of keywords that every ATS resume should contain.

Instead, focus on using the important keywords that accurately describe your experience.

Keyword stuffing can make your resume look unnatural and unprofessional.

A better approach is to identify the most relevant terms in the job description and incorporate them naturally throughout your:

• Professional Summary
• Skills section
• Work experience
• Projects
• Certifications

Relevance is more important than quantity.

How to Handle Acronyms and Abbreviations

When an industry commonly uses both a full term and an abbreviation, consider including both.

For example:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
• Human Resources (HR)

This can help make your resume understandable to both automated systems and human recruiters.

Should You Include a Photo on an ATS Resume?

In most cases, a photo is not necessary on a resume.

Your resume should demonstrate your:

• Skills
• Experience
• Qualifications
• Achievements
• Professional value

A photograph does not demonstrate professional experience and may create unnecessary distractions.

Unless a photo is specifically expected or appropriate for the job market and role, it is generally safer to leave it out.

What File Format Should You Use for an ATS Resume?

Always follow the employer’s instructions.

If the employer specifically requests a PDF, submit a PDF.

If the employer requests a Word document, submit a Word document.

When no format is specified, a properly formatted PDF is often a practical choice.

Before submitting your resume, check that:

• The text is selectable
• Dates are correct
• Bullet points display properly
• Sections appear in the correct order
• Contact information is visible
• No text is missing
• Formatting is consistent
• The file name is professional

A good file name would be:

FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf

For example:

Rahul_Sharma_Resume.pdf

Common ATS Resume Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Too Many Graphics

Graphics, icons, charts, and logos may distract recruiters or create parsing issues.

2. Keyword Stuffing

Repeating the same keywords unnecessarily does not make your resume stronger.

3. Using Unusual Section Names

Creative headings can make it harder for ATS software to identify different sections.

4. Adding Important Information as an Image

Do not put your contact details, skills, or qualifications inside an image.

5. Using a Highly Complex Layout

Multiple columns, sidebars, tables, and unusual formatting can make a resume more difficult to process.

6. Sending the Same Resume Everywhere

A generic resume may not contain the terminology or qualifications that a specific position requires.

7. Listing Skills You Do Not Have

Never add skills simply because they appear in a job description.

8. Writing Long Blocks of Text

Large paragraphs are difficult for recruiters to scan and can make important information harder to find.

How to Test Your Resume Before Applying

Before submitting your resume, compare it carefully with the job description.

Ask yourself:

• Does my resume clearly describe the position I am applying for?
• Did I include relevant skills from the job description?
• Are my job titles and dates clear?
• Are my achievements easy to identify?
• Did I use standard section headings?
• Is the document easy to read?
• Can the text be selected?
• Did I remove unnecessary graphics?
• Did I follow the requested file format?
• Did I check spelling and grammar?

You can also test the resume by selecting and copying the text from the final file.

If the copied information appears in an unexpected order or some information is missing, your formatting may be causing problems.

ATS-Friendly Resume Example Structure

A simple ATS-friendly resume can follow this structure:

YOUR NAME

City, State | Phone | Email | LinkedIn

Professional Summary

A brief summary of your professional experience, relevant skills, specialization, and career goals in two to four sentences.

Skills

• Skill 1
• Skill 2
• Skill 3
• Skill 4
• Skill 5

Professional Experience

Job Title | Company Name | Location

Month Year – Month Year

• Achievement or responsibility
• Achievement supported by a measurable result
• Relevant project or contribution
• Skill or tool used to achieve an outcome

Education

Degree | Institution Name

Graduation Year

Certifications

• Certification Name
• Certification Name

Projects

Include relevant projects that demonstrate skills required for the position.

How to Make an ATS Resume More Effective

An ATS-friendly resume is not simply about getting past software.

It is about making sure the right people can quickly understand your qualifications and determine whether you are a good fit for the position.

The best resumes balance three key elements:

1. Relevance

Focus on what the employer is looking for.

2. Readability

Present your information in a clear and easy-to-read format.

3. Evidence

Support your skills and claims with measurable achievements whenever possible.

For example, if an employer lists five important qualifications and you genuinely have all five, make sure those qualifications are clearly visible on your resume.

Similarly, if you have achieved meaningful results such as increasing sales, reducing costs, improving operations, solving a problem, or completing an important project, explain those results rather than simply listing your responsibilities.

Final Thoughts

Writing an ATS-friendly resume ultimately comes down to simple formatting, relevant keywords, clear organization, and a strong focus on achievements.

Your resume should be easy for ATS software to process and equally easy for a recruiter to understand.

Start by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the skills, qualifications, responsibilities, and terminology that are relevant to the position.

Then customize your resume accordingly.

Avoid complicated layouts, unnecessary graphics, keyword stuffing, and skills you do not actually possess.

Most importantly, remember that passing an ATS is only one step in the job search process.

Once your resume reaches a human recruiter, it still needs to make a strong impression.

A clear, relevant, professional, and achievement-focused resume gives you the best opportunity to move from automated screening to the next stage of the hiring process.

Frequently Asked Questions About ATS-Friendly Resumes

1. What is an ATS-friendly resume?

An ATS-friendly resume is formatted and structured so that Applicant Tracking Systems can easily identify information such as skills, experience, education, job titles, qualifications, and keywords.

2. What is the best resume format for ATS?

A simple reverse-chronological resume is generally the safest format for ATS compatibility because it presents employment history in a clear and familiar structure.

3. Can ATS systems read PDF resumes?

Many ATS systems can read PDF resumes, but candidates should always follow the file-format instructions provided by the employer.

4. Should I use keywords in my resume?

Yes. Use relevant keywords from the job description when they accurately describe your skills and experience. However, avoid keyword stuffing.

5. How many keywords should an ATS resume have?

There is no fixed number. Focus on the important keywords that accurately represent your qualifications and use them naturally throughout the resume.

6. Are graphics bad for an ATS resume?

Graphics can cause parsing issues with some ATS platforms. Therefore, it is generally safer to avoid graphics and communicate important information using standard text.

7. Should I use a two-column resume for ATS?

A two-column resume may work with some ATS platforms, but a one-column format is generally safer because the information is easier for software to process in the correct order.

8. Should I customize my resume for every job?

Yes. Customizing your resume according to each job description can help highlight the skills, qualifications, and experience most relevant to the position.

9. What should I avoid on an ATS-friendly resume?

Avoid unnecessary graphics, images containing important information, complicated tables, text boxes, unusual section headings, excessive keyword repetition, and overly complex layouts.

10. Can an ATS-friendly resume still look professional?

Absolutely. An ATS-friendly resume can look polished and professional.

Instead of relying on graphics and complicated designs, use consistent typography, appropriate spacing, clear headings, strong bullet points, and a logical structure to create a professional appearance.