ATS-Friendly Resume Formatting Tips
Learn how to format your resume to pass Applicant Tracking Systems and get in front of human recruiters.
Why ATS Formatting Matters
Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to filter resumes. If your resume isn't ATS-friendly, it may never reach human eyes, regardless of your qualifications.
Use Standard Fonts
Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman for maximum compatibility
Simple Layout
Avoid complex formatting, tables, and graphics that confuse ATS
Standard Headings
Use conventional section headers that ATS systems recognize
File Format
Submit as .docx or .pdf based on job posting requirements
Keyword Optimization Strategy
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Certifications
Industry Terms
Keyword Research Process
Analyze Job Posting
Extract key terms from the job description
Match Your Experience
Align keywords with your actual skills
Natural Integration
Include keywords naturally in context
Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don't Do This
Images and Graphics
ATS cannot read images or extract text from graphics
Complex Tables
Information in tables may be parsed incorrectly
Unusual Fonts
Script or decorative fonts confuse ATS parsing
Headers/Footers
Contact info in headers may not be readable
✅ Do This Instead
Plain Text
Use text-based formatting and descriptions
Simple Lists
Use bullet points and clear section breaks
Standard Fonts
Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
Main Body Text
Keep all important info in the main document body
Test Your Resume's ATS Compatibility
Use our ATS checker to ensure your resume will pass through applicant tracking systems.