Free Resource

ATS Resume Checklist

25 essential checkpoints to ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems

What You Will Get

  • 25-point comprehensive checklist
  • ATS formatting rules explained
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • Printable PDF format
  • Before/after examples

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Preview: The 25-Point Checklist

Used standard section headings (Summary, Experience, Education)
Included keywords from the job posting
Font is Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman
Font size is 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headings
Margins are 0.5-1 inch on all sides
Line spacing is 1.15-1.5
Saved as .docx or .pdf format
No tables, text boxes, or graphics
Single column layout
No headers or footers
Contact information is in body, not header
Dates use consistent format (MM/YYYY)
Bullet points use simple characters (• or -)
No special characters (&, %, $)
Spell out acronyms on first use
Job titles are clear and standard
Company names are spelled correctly
Employment dates are complete
No employment gaps unexplained
Quantified achievements with numbers
Action verbs start each bullet
No first person (I, me, my)
Contact info includes email and phone
LinkedIn URL is included
Resume is 1-2 pages maximum

Why This Checklist Matters

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. Most of these rejections are due to simple formatting errors that are completely preventable.

This checklist ensures your resume is ATS-compatible so it reaches recruiters and hiring managers.