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ATS Resume Guide

How to create a resume that passes Applicant Tracking Systems

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. This guide shows you how to be in the 25% that make it through.

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that employers use to manage job applications. When you submit your resume online, it goes directly into an ATS database. The system parses your information, ranks you against job requirements, and filters candidates before a human recruiter reviews your application.

How ATS Works

  1. 1.
    Parse: ATS extracts text from your resume file
  2. 2.
    Analyze: System identifies keywords, skills, experience
  3. 3.
    Score: Resume ranked against job requirements
  4. 4.
    Filter: Top candidates passed to recruiters

ATS Formatting Rules

✓ Do This

  • • Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri)
  • • Save as .docx or .pdf
  • • Use clear section headings
  • • Include keywords from job posting
  • • Use bullet points
  • • Spell out acronyms first

✗ Avoid This

  • • Tables and text boxes
  • • Graphics and images
  • • Headers and footers
  • • Multiple columns
  • • Special characters
  • • Creative section names

Keyword Optimization

ATS systems match your resume against job descriptions. Include exact keywords from the job posting naturally throughout your resume.

Example

Responsible for managing projects

✓ Led project management initiatives, delivering 15+ projects on time

Test Your Resume for ATS

Upload your resume to get an instant ATS compatibility score with specific improvement suggestions.

Check My ATS Score

Related Resources

ATS Resume FAQ

What does ATS-friendly resume mean?

An ATS-friendly resume is formatted in a way that Applicant Tracking Systems can easily parse and understand. This means using standard fonts, clear section headings, no tables or graphics, and proper keyword placement.

How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Upload your resume to Jobbris for an instant ATS compatibility score. You can also test by copying your resume into a plain text editor—if it looks messy or loses formatting, it may not be ATS-friendly.

What file format is best for ATS?

DOCX is the safest format for ATS. While most modern systems can read PDFs, some older ATS may struggle with PDF formatting. When in doubt, use DOCX.

JB

Written by Jobbris Team

ATS experts and certified resume writers • Data from SHRM, Jobscan Research (2025)

Last updated: February 2026