ATS Resume Tips: How to Write and Format a Resume That Passes Every Filter

Part 1: ATS-Friendly Formatting

Use a single-column layout

ATS parsers read left to right, top to bottom. Multi-column formats cause the parser to mix up content, scrambling your experience and skills. Single-column layouts parse cleanly every time.

Avoid tables, text boxes, and graphics

Any content inside a table cell, text box, or graphic is often invisible to ATS. This includes contact information placed in a Word header, icons used for bullet points, and logos. If your resume uses these elements, your most important information may never be read.

Use standard section headings

ATS systems are trained to recognize specific headings. Use the standard versions: Work Experience, Skills, Education, Summary. Creative alternatives may not be recognized and your content will be misclassified.

Choose a readable font and standard size

Stick to fonts like Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman, or Arial at 10 to 12pt for body text. Keep your name at 14 to 16pt.

Part 2: ATS Keyword Optimization

Match keywords from the job description exactly

ATS systems search for specific strings of text. If the job says "project management" and your resume says "managing projects," the system may not make that connection. Use the exact phrasing from the posting.

Include both the spelled-out term and the acronym

Some ATS systems search for "Search Engine Optimization" while others search for "SEO." Include both: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)." Do this for any industry term with a common abbreviation.

Load keywords into your skills section

The skills section is heavily weighted by most ATS systems. Pull every required and preferred skill from the job description and add any you genuinely have. This is the fastest way to increase your match score.

Part 3: Content That Ranks Higher

Tailor your resume summary to each job

ATS systems often score the summary heavily because it appears at the top and usually contains the most concentrated keyword density. Rewrite it for each application using the job title and top three requirements from the posting.

Use the job title somewhere on your resume

If you are applying for a "Senior Product Designer" role, that phrase should appear on your resume — in your summary, a previous job title, or both.

Quantify results with numbers, not adjectives

Replace vague descriptions like "significantly improved" with specific metrics like "reduced load time by 40%" or "grew revenue from $2M to $3.4M in 18 months."

Common ATS Mistakes to Fix Right Now

• Putting your contact information in a Word document header or footer
• Using a creative resume template downloaded from Canva or a design site
• Submitting a photo, headshot, or colored background
• Using special characters as bullet points (arrows, stars, etc.)
• Saving as a .pages file or image — always PDF or .docx
• Using white text to hide keywords (ATS systems detect and penalize this)