best resume format ats

How to Write an ATS Resume [16+ Templates Included]

Rejection is part of the job search . 

Not everyone gets an interview or job offer. 

Do you know what else is part of the job search, though?

Getting your resume discarded before the recruiter even gets a chance to see it.

To reach the recruiter, in most cases your resume should first pass an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

And here’s the thing - over 70% of job applications fail to pass ! 

Worry not, though. We’ve got your back!

Getting past applicant tracking systems is not hard. In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to do it:

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

• How to Create an ATS Resume?
• How to Run an ATS Check on Your Resume?
• 16+ ATS Resume Templates for 2024.

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software employers use to manage the entire application process. 

This system collects, scans and ranks all of the applications.  

At first, ATS was created for bigger companies.

And you can see that in the numbers: 75% of large companies use an ATS because they receive thousands of applications every day.

But today, companies of all sizes (including over 98% of Fortune Companies ) use an ATS.

Why do so many firms use ATS? 

95% of professionals say that ATS has improved their company for two main reasons:

• Using ATS is very productive for companies: The system narrows down the flood of applications, saving them time and resources . Instead of going through stacks of paper, the online system keeps things organized.
• The system is also non-discriminatory , which means it does not look at factors such as age, gender, or race. At the end of the day, machines can’t be biased!

First, the system creates a job posting for the company. 

It then publishes this posting to company websites, job boards, hiring platforms, or email.

Once an application for the job comes in, the system scans it.

The ATS divides the resume into the different resume sections : Work Experience , Education , Skills, Languages, Certifications, etc.

It then searches for specific keywords and qualifications to see whether you match the job description or not. 

Let’s illustrate this with an example:

You are applying for a tax manager position. 

Your resume summary writes: 

“Highly-driven tax manager with 5+ years of financial experience in managing tax returns and affairs. Proven experience of success, employer satisfaction, and strong communication skills.” 

• “Tax manager”
• “5+ years of experience” 
• “Tax returns and affairs”
• “Employer satisfaction”
• “Strong communication skills” 

Then, matches it to their list of requirements: 

• CHECK: tax manager
• CHECK: 5+ years of experience
• CHECK: employer satisfaction
• CHECK: communication skills
• NOT CHECK: Analytical skills
• NOT CHECK: Microsoft Office 

If your resume doesn’t match the basic list of requirements, it’s automatically discarded.

If it does, then it’s ranked by relevance (i.e. the best resume goes on top of the recruiter’s pipeline).

How to Create an ATS Resume (Step-By-Step)

Now that you know how ATS works, we’re going to teach you how to beat it.

Here’s how to create an ATS-friendly resume, step by step:

Are you new to the workforce? You might want to check out our guide on how to make a resume , before learning how to optimize it for ATS!

Step 1: Pick the right resume format. 

The easiest format for an ATS to read is reverse-chronological. This format emphasizes your work experience by putting it on top of the page. 

Then, it sorts your experience from most to least relevant. 

This format is also the most popular among recruiters. In 99.9% of the cases, reverse-chronological is the best layout to go for. 

Step 2: Choose the appropriate file type. 

A PDF file is universal and can be read by (most) ATS, so that should be your go-to.

PDF files are also great for maintaining the design and format of your resume.

Some applicant tracking systems (the old models), however, are unable to read PDF. Before applying for the position, check what job ad says. 

If it explicitly states that you should apply with a Word document, then that might mean that their ATS CAN’T read PDFs, and you should just submit a .doc file.

Step 3: Use an ATS Resume Template

Many applicants get rejected for using resume templates that ATS can’t read. 

Fancy templates you might have spent money on usually get scrambled in the system. 

It’s crucial to pick a tried-and-tested ATS friendly template. 

Novorésumé resume templates are perfect for writing an ATS-friendly resume. 

Our templates are developed hand-in-hand with recruiters and employers to help you create an amazing resume. 

Step 4: Use a simple layout*

*Did you decide to go with a Novorésumé template? You can skip this step, as the templates come with the right formatting. Otherwise, read on!

Choose a common, simple font . Use bigger font sizes for headers and smaller ones for content. 

To highlight your achievements , stick to bulleted lists . 

Remember to choose a simple bulleted point. 

A solid circle or square is your best shot, as any complicated character might be incompatible with an ATS . 

Here’s what a correct entry looks like:

• Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish 
• Limited working proficiency in French 

For more tips and tricks on resume layout , check out our guide.

Step 5: Label your sections right. 

This part seems intuitive but we had to mention it anyway. 

Make sure to list your work experience under “Work Experience”, “Skills” under skills, etc. 

That’s the only way for the ATS to recognize what it is reading. 

Step 6: Tailor your resume with resume keywords. 

Keywords are words or short phrases related to the specific requirements for a job. 

The system scans for these words to find the best candidate. 

Now, we’re going to show you how to tailor your resume with keywords, and pass the screening: 

To find the right keywords, go through the job ad you’re applying for.

There are two types of keywords you should look out for: (1) job-related skills and (2) action verbs.   

Job-related skills are your primary characteristics and qualifications for the job.

e.g.: data analysis, research, problem-solving, etc.

Action verbs show what you have accomplished and succeeded in your job position.

e.g.: created, maximized, solved, etc. 

After you’ve scanned the job posting, make a list of these keywords, and mention them in your resume. 

Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t just randomly throw the keywords around. 

Your resume WILL be read by a human after it passes the ATS!

• Don’t use acronyms. Some ATS systems can’t recognize short forms. We recommend to both spell a word out and add the acronym. 

e.g.: Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) 

Now, let’s look at a practical example. 

We are searching for a focused expert on social media to draw and connect with targeted members of online communities and networks.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute social media strategy through competitive analysis, network commitment, benchmarking, communication and audience recognition . 
• Generate, edit, publish and distribute regular content (original text, images, video or HTML) which creates meaningful connections and encourages community members to take action.
• Develop constantly by collecting and analyzing appropriate social data/metrics , ideas, and best practices and then acting on it 
• Work with other departments (customer relations, marketing, etc.) to maintain credibility , identify key players and coordinate activities.

Requirements: 

• Good consulting, reporting, editing (photo/video/text), presentation and communication skills
• 3+ years of social networking expertise and social research software knowledge  
• Adequate knowledge of web design, web development, CRO and SEO .
• Knowledge of online marketing and a good understanding of major social media platforms.
• Positive attitude, information and customer focus with good multitasking and organizational capacity
• Previous experience in Business Communications , Advertising , and Public Relations preferred but not required.
• Undergraduate studies in the fields of communications, marketing, business, new media or public relations .

We have highlighted the most important keywords of this job ad. 

Notice how you can group words for each section of the resume. 

For example, keywords like develop, analyzing, or strategy can be used to in the Work Experience section. 

Under the Skills section, you would list the skills the job AD is looking for, like CRO, SEO, Data analysis, multitasking.

While other keywords like software knowledge, studies in Communications, Marketing, fall under the Education section.

Want to learn which keywords are a must-have in your field? Check out our complete guide to resume keywords .

A final word of caution: Avoid images and graphs. 

ATS Resume Example 

Now, let’s put together everything we’ve learned so far in a practical example. 

Here’s what a winning ATS resume example looks like: 

How to Run an ATS Check on Your Resume 

Done writing your ATS resume?

Now, how do you make sure that you got it right?

There is a very easy way to make sure that your resume is compatible with an ATS. 

First, copy your resume information and paste it into a plain-text document. 

Then, paste it into jobscan :

Then, paste the job description you’re applying for, and hit “Scan!”

The software will tell you EXACTLY what your resume is missing.

16+ ATS Resume Templates for 2024

Want to skip all the hassle of formatting your resume for ATS? Just use a Novorésumé template!

Head over to our resume templates page, pick the one that works for you, and get started!

Key Takeaways

In this article, we learned that:

• Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage the application process. This is a system that collects, scans and ranks your resume. 
• ATS makes work easier for recruiters, but harder for employees. 75%+ job-seekers fail to pass the system. 
• To create an ATS-friendly resume, there is a certain format you should follow. Keep everything simple: font, design, and layout. Use bulleted lists. 
• Keywords are key. ATS scans the document for keywords, so you should tailor your resume with resume keywords. Do that by finding relevant keywords on the job posting. Group these words into sections. 

Suggested readings:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format?
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume [With Tips + Tricks]
• How Long Should a Resume Be [For Any Profession]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• • Oversaw a $2M project portfolio resulting in a 15% reduction in costs through strategic resource allocation.
• • Initiated and successfully implemented refined processes leading to a 20% increase in project delivery efficiency.
• • Managed a cross-functional team of 15 professionals across diverse areas for effective project execution.
• • Managed a range of IT projects with budgets up to $1.5M, meeting all project requirements within budget constraints.
• • Enhanced communication efficiency by 30% by implementing an advanced project management software tool.
• • Executed full project lifecycle management, increasing project completion rate by 25%.
• • Assisted in managing IT projects leading to a 10% reduction in project delivery timeline.
• • Implemented a new data analysis methodology leading to a 15% improvement in project tracking accuracy.
• • Worked closely with end-users to provide timely and accurate information, improving stakeholder satisfaction by 20%.

20 ATS Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your ATS resume should showcase your relevant work experience clearly. Highlight your job titles and responsibilities for easy parsing. Incorporate keywords from the job description in your resume content. This strategy aligns your skills with the employer's needs, ensuring better ATS compatibility.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

What is an applicant tracking system, what does an ats really do.

The most common types of ATS

Busting ATS myths

Why does ats optimization matter, what is an ats checker.

How to format an ATS-compliant resume

Optimizing resume sections for ATS

Resume customization for ats, 20 ats resume samples, key takeaways.

Let's clear up some myths about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). While many people think ATS are the ultimate gatekeepers, the reality is more nuanced. Some ATS struggle with parsing resumes and are only used for database management. However, the most important part of the hiring process is still the recruiter, not the software.

The purpose of this ATS resume examples guide is to explain how much these systems actually matter for your resume and to be real and honest about the industry's pitfalls.

Here’s what this guide promises:

• Clear explanations of how ATS works
• Honest insights into when ATS matters and when it doesn’t
• Practical tips to optimize your resume for human readers
• Debunking common myths  and scare tactics around the so-called ATS optimization
• Strategies to future-proof your resume against evolving technology

Before we dive in, you might want to consider some other extensive guides on resume writing:

• Why Can’t I Find a Job? The Real Reasons Why You’re Struggling to Find One
• 2024 Resume Statistics From Over 12 000 US-Based Job-Seekers
• How to Write a Resume for a Job
• What to Put on a Resume
• How to Write a Modern Resume
• How to Effectively Use Facebook and Social Media for Job Hunting
• Different Ways of Submitting a Resume
• Job Interview Tips
• Choose Your Employer
• How to Create an Impressive LinkedIn Profile

An ATS  is a type of software that companies use to manage job applications. It helps organize and store resumes, making it easier for recruiters to find the right candidates.

Since ATS are said to “ decrease the average hiring cycle by 60% ”, many companies, including over 90% of Fortune 500 organizations tend to use automated systems for recruitment. Basically, any organization that needs to manage a lot of job applications — such as those in the tech, healthcare, finance, and NGO sectors — can benefit from using an ATS. It accelerates the hiring process and automates scheduling and collaboration, particularly useful for hybrid environments.

Smaller companies and startups might never use ATS to evaluate applicants. This is why when you read a resume guide that says “optimize your resume for the ATS”, be critical of the situation and think about the type, size and industry of the firm you’re applying for. Some guides will force you to stuff your resume with keywords to the point it becomes illegible. This is not going to play well when an actual human being views your resume at a later stage.

Applicant tracking software helps companies manage job applications efficiently, allowing recruiters to focus more on finding the right candidates.

Here’s what an ATS does (functionalities vary depending on the specific type):

• Stores and organizes resumes : The ATS keeps all job applications in one place, making it easy for recruiters to find and review candidates. It also creates and approves job opening requests, and allows HR staff ​​to reuse job descriptions for multiple positions, which saves them time.
• Filters applications : ATS may use keywords and knockout questions to filter out unqualified applicants. When candidates apply online, they may need to answer position-related questions. The ATS can automatically reject candidates  based on certain responses, such as not having the right to work (about 16% of applications). Depending on the specific software, it can also parse resumes, rank new applications, and assist recruiters in reviewing and selecting candidates.
• Automates scheduling : ATS helps coordinate interview times and manage recruiters' calendars. Once a candidate is chosen, the system sends out job offers and manages the onboarding process, allowing new hires to complete the necessary paperwork and learn about the organization.
• Enhances team collaboration : Automated database management allows recruiters and hiring managers to share notes and feedback on candidates.
• Provides candidate information : Applicant tracking systems ensure that HR staff can access applicant contact details and resume data quickly.
• Parses resumes: ATS scans and converts resume content into a text-only format for easier reading and processing. Unfortunately, this is where it can fail some candidates. The scanning technology, called optical character recognition (OCR),  can struggle with non-standard resume formats, causing parsing errors, which is why it's better to choose standard templates.
• Manages compliance : ATS keeps records to ensure the hiring process complies with legal requirements.
• Supports sourcing : ATS helps recruiters search and find candidates using Boolean search  techniques, similar to keyword searches on Google. This is why we recommend tailoring your resume to match the  keywords in the job description . Doing so can significantly increase your chances of impressing the person reviewing your application.

AI in ATS is mainly used for routine tasks like scheduling, reference checking, and recommending candidates based on keywords. This doesn't mean that more sophisticated AI technologies won’t be coming down the pipeline soon. So, to future-proof your resume, you need to keep it as organized and readable as possible.

The most common types of ATS in the United States

Considering that ATS is designed to streamline hiring processes (not to assess your resume), knowing the basic types and how they work can help with your application.

Let us put it this way:

Don’t stress about your resume being rejected because of an ATS. Understanding the type of software a company uses can give you peace of mind, knowing it's just another step in the process. Focus on using relevant keywords and keeping your formatting simple, and you’ll be well-prepared.

So, here are the three main types of applicant tracking systems and what they do for hiring managers:

• Basic ATS: These systems focus on the core functions of tracking and managing applications. Their features include resume parsing, job posting management, candidate database, and basic reporting. Breezy HR  and Workable  are popular solutions for small businesses and NGOs in the technology, education, and marketing industries.
• Mid-level ATS : This type provides more advanced features that enhance the recruitment process for medium to large enterprises, beyond just tracking applications. They include advanced reporting and analytics, integration with other HR tools, candidate communication tools, and collaborative hiring features. For example, ATSs like Greenhouse  and Lever  are popular in the tech and consulting fields because of their integration capabilities and focus on data-driven recruitment.
• Enterprise ATS: These systems are designed for large organizations with complex hiring needs. They offer comprehensive functionalities covering the entire hiring process such as advanced analytics, extensive integration capabilities, custom workflows, compliance management, onboarding tools,  and talent management features. The examples include Taleo and SAP SuccessFactors which are used in a range of industries, from the automotive to the public sector.

As you can see, an ATS primarily screens your resume to extract contact information for hiring purposes. It's more important to optimize your resume for the human recruiter who will read it, rather than focusing too much on the software processing it.

We’ve tested our resumes with leading ATS software, and they pass the test. See if yours can do the same.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Many so-called professional resume writers spread misinformation about ATS without understanding how it works. If your application gets declined, it‘s almost certainly because a recruiter already filled the position by the time they got to your resume or simply chose someone else. Ignore the scare tactics of TikTokers, YouTubers, and other content creators, who sell their resume writer services.

ATS Myth #1: Systems decline applications based on keywords

Many believe that ATS systems will automatically reject your application if it doesn't contain specific keywords. The truth is, that most   ATS systems as of 2024 don't have such features . While tailoring your resume is important to highlight core skills for recruiters and future-proof against evolving AI, the primary reason for declined applications is usually that the position has already been filled or other candidates were selected.

ATS Myth #3: All resumes must pass automated filters

The idea that resumes need to pass through automated filters is misleading. Parsing is a technical term meaning the ATS converts your resume into a format that can be easily read by the system . Formatting issues can affect parsing, but this doesn't mean your resume is automatically rejected. Recruiters can still see the original resume file, and it's their responsibility to check both the parsed content and the attached file.

ATS Myth #4: Specific resume formats confuse ATS parsers

There's a myth that certain fonts and colors can confuse ATS parsers. This misconception likely stems from some resume writing services that lack their own proprietary resume builder . While creative sections might not get parsed well, they are included for the recruiter's benefit . Still, keep in mind that not all ATS systems are the same, and some formatting issues can still occur.

ATS Myth #5: ATS completely automates the hiring process

Despite what some might think, ATS doesn't fully automate the hiring process . It helps with organizing and filtering resumes, but the final decision-making process is still very much in the hands of human recruiters.

ATS optimization matters because you want to make sure your resume actually reaches a human recruiter. Even if you don't know the exact ATS the company uses, tailoring your resume to be ATS-friendly is crucial. This means making a clear, well-formatted resume that can pass through the system without sacrificing the content that showcases your qualifications.

It’s more important to prioritize relevance  over mere optimization. Using the right keywords shows you understand the job requirements and speak the same language as the employer. This balance ensures your resume is both ATS-compatible and compelling to recruiters.

An ATS checker is an AI-powered tool that analyzes your resume to see how well it matches the job description. By using an ATS scanner, you can get insights into how your resume might be viewed by both the ATS and human recruiters, helping you optimize it for better chances of getting noticed.

Enhancv’s resume checker  grades your resume for 16 crucial things across 5 different categories including content, file type, and keywords in the most important sections of your resume. The best things about it?

• AI engine: You get content suggestions for your essential resume sections.
• ATS compatibility: The resume format is scanned for readability.
• Free of charge:  That’s right. Like the best things in life.

How to format an ATS-compliant resume

An ATS-compliant resume is easily scanned and interpreted by an applicant tracking system. This means that your resume should be formatted clearly . The system scans your resume the way a person would read it, typically from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, just like reading a book. In a way, it expects your document to be organized in a certain order.

Your name and contact information  should be at the top, your skills at either the top or bottom, and your employment history in the middle, complete with your employer, job title, dates of employment, and a description of your role. If you use a less traditional resume format, the ATS might not be able to parse the information correctly.

ATS-friendly resume template

Here’s an example of a resume template  that applicant tracking systems would parse without a problem.

[Your Name]

[Your City, State, ZIP]  | [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address ] [ LinkedIn Profile ] | [ Professional Website or Portfolio ]

Professional summary

A concise summary highlighting your key qualifications, skills, and career goals. Typically 3-4 sentences.

Professional experience

[Most recent job title] [Company Name], [City, State] [Month/Year] – [Month/Year]

• Optional description.
• [Action verb] [your duty and/or accomplishment] [quantified results].

[Previous job title] [Company Name], [City, State] [Month/Year] – [Month/Year]

[Earlier job title] [Company Name], [City, State] [Month/Year] – [Month/Year]

[Degree Earned] [University Name], [City, State] [Month/Year] – [Month/Year]

• Relevant coursework: [Course Names]
• Honors and awards: [Any relevant honors or awards]

Certifications

• [Certification Name], [Issuing Organization], [Month/Year]
• Technical skills: List relevant technical skills
• Hard skills: List role-specific practical skills

Additional   sections

• Languages: List any languages spoken, if applicable.

Projects (if applicable)

            [Project title]           [City, State] [Month/Year] – [Month/Year]

            Description of responsibilities and achievements.

Choose the reverse chronological order

The reverse chronological resume  is the most common and a favorite among recruiters for two main reasons. Firstly, it follows your natural career progression, with resume sections  ordered in a predictable way. More importantly, it allows hiring managers to quickly identify your most recent job and assess how that experience aligns with the responsibilities of the position you're applying for.

The elements that recruiters expect to see on a traditional resume  are listed below.

The top sections on an ATS-compliant resume

• Professional summary : Summarizes your key qualifications for the role.
• Professional experience : Shows your work history and job-related achievements.
• Skills : Highlights relevant abilities specific to the job.
• Education : Lists your academic background relevant to the role.
• Certifications : Displays any professional certifications pertinent to the job.

Create an easy-to-read resume layout

Use professional fonts  like Arial, Rubik, Lato, or Volkhov, sized 10-12 pt. (This doesn’t mean that ATS won’t parse Comic Sans; it only means recruiters will hate it).

To improve the overall readability of your resume, set the margin size  between 0.5 and 1 inch and provide ample space between sections. When naming the sections, use conventional labels. For example, "Skills" should be "Skills," not "What I’m Good At." ATS systems are not familiar with creative language.

Single and double-column templates , colors , and photos typically won’t affect ATS scanning. However, keep in mind that US resume standards  advise against including a photo .

Be mindful of special characters

The devil is in the details. Some applicant tracking systems might not parse small things such as the date format, commas vs spaces (commas are better) between skills, or bullet points. For example, recruiter and career strategist Kristen Fife notes  that one particular type of ATS will turn the text on your resume to HTML for ease of reading, which messes up the graphs, charts, and icons.  

None of Enhancv’s customers who have found a job using our resume builder have reported issues with the number of columns on their job-winning resume.

Go for the right file type

It’s best to save your resume as a PDF  as it preserves the formatting across various devices and most ATS systems can read them. However, there might be some that cannot, so before sending out your resume, double-check the job specifications for a preferred file format.

Remember, while it’s important to build a resume that passes ATS scanning easily, it’s even more crucial to make it readable for recruiters and employers. They will not  dismiss your application just because the software couldn't process it. In fact, all the recruiters we've spoken with say they skim each resume they receive. So, to increase your chances of getting an interview call, focus on impressing the hiring manager.

See how below.

What matters most on your resume is the content, of course. If the language you use doesn’t match the language in the job description, your resume might not parse, or it will, but it will be ignored by the recruiter.

That’s why we put so much stress on keyword relevance and the importance of tailoring your resume to each job  you’re applying for. Ideally, you should approach your document with both ATS and the recruiters in mind.

Here’s what you need to know when weaving keywords into your resume:

• Analyze the job description : Identify keywords in the job posting, particularly skills, qualifications, job titles, and specific software or tools  mentioned.
• Use job title and relevant keywords in the header : Include the exact job title you are applying for in the resume header. For example, "Experienced Marketing Manager " if the job title is "Marketing Manager."
• Incorporate some keywords in the summary : Write a brief professional summary  at the top of your resume that includes key terms or required soft skills  from the job description. For example, "Results-driven Marketing Manager with expertise in digital marketing, SEO, and content strategy." This would reassure the recruiter that you have what it takes to do the job.
• List skills and keywords in the skills section : Create a skills section where you list hard skills  relevant to the job. With our resume builder, you don’t have to worry about formatting your skills section — it’s automatically done for you.
• Integrate keywords into the work experience section : Describe your job responsibilities and achievements using action verbs  or strong adjectives from the job description . To prove these are not just empty words, quantify your successes by adding tangible results .  For example, "Managed a team of 10 to execute digital marketing campaigns, increasing organic traffic by 50%."
• Mention keywords in the education and certifications section : You can include relevant coursework, projects, or certifications that match the keywords . This could be done by adding a bullet point under your education details  ("Completed coursework in Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Advanced Excel”) or separately, under Certifications (“Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Use synonyms and variations : To ensure your resume is picked up by ATS, use different forms of keywords (e.g., "analyzed" and "analysis"). We advise you to include both acronyms and full phrases (e.g., " SEO " and "Search Engine Optimization") because some ATS systems may not recognize the short form.
• Review and edit for a natural flow : Make sure that the inclusion of keywords does not disrupt the readability of your resume. Overstuffing will make it sound robotic and less appealing to human readers. The best way to do this is to have someone review your resume to check that it reads naturally and clearly.

By following these steps, you can successfully incorporate keywords into your resume, making it more likely to pass through ATS screenings and get noticed by recruiters.

Next, we’ll see these tips in action by tailoring a resume to a real-world job description.

To explore how you can create a targeted resume  (one that’s strictly tailored to the job you’re applying for), let’s first take a look at a Senior Software Engineer job posting.

Job Description

The Senior Software Developer writes code that meets specifications for large and highly complex software programs and systems. This role involves developing software applications and tools, participating in software design, and implementing activities that impact important components and processes of the work of the unit, team, or projects. The developer demonstrates proficiency in most areas of the professional function and in-depth specialization in some.

You are motivated to achieve operational targets with significant impact on team or unit results and work with limited managerial oversight at critical milestones. You are driven to develop solutions, anticipate and prevent problems, and contribute to the continuous improvement of technology processes and tools. You possess a passion for games and emerging technologies and trends and thrive on seizing opportunities promptly.

Responsibilities

• Write and review code to meet specifications for large and complex software programs and systems.
• Design, develop, and implement interactive games tailored to The Washington Post brand and audience.
• Develop and maintain software applications and tools. Participate in software design and implement improvements to existing systems.
• Develop scalable and efficient game systems that seamlessly integrate with our existing platform.
• Implement activities that impact important components and processes of the team or projects.
• Demonstrate proficiency in most professional functions and specialize in some areas.
• Anticipate and prevent problems and roadblocks before they occur.
• Develop design skills and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the organization's software applications and tools.
• Interact with internal and external peers and managers to exchange complex information related to areas of specialization.
• Receive work in the form of short- and mid-term assignments, applying independent judgment.
• Mentor less experienced team members and provide guidance, coaching, and training.
• Manage technology projects and processes within the team, sometimes directing and reviewing the work of others.
• Lead project teams in the absence of management or upper-level professionals.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of programming languages important to the organization, including proficiency in Javascript, HTML, and CSS.
• Strong experience in React, TypeScript, AWS
• Familiarity with performance tools like lighthouse, Node, Phaser, PixiJS, ThreeJS, TailwindCSS
• Typically requires a University Degree, certification, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively complex related experience.
• Ability to develop solutions and communicate effectively with internal and external parties.
• Experience managing technology projects, programs, or processes.
• Ability to coach or review the work of other technology professionals.
• Advanced knowledge of the technical discipline, obtained through advanced education combined with experience.

Knowledge and problem solving

• Comprehensive understanding of the organization's current software applications and tools.
• In-depth knowledge of programming languages and proficiency in key technical areas.
• Ability to anticipate and prevent problems, demonstrating advanced problem- solving skills.
• Developing design skills and implementing improvements to existing processes and tools.

Negotiations and interactions

• Interact with internal and external peers and managers to exchange complex information.
• Occasionally influence other teams to accept technology processes or products, requiring detailed explanations or interpretations.
• Communicate with parties within and outside the department, and occasionally with external parties such as customers and vendors.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and training to other employees within the unit.
• Lead project teams in areas of expertise and in the absence of management.
• May manage components of new technology, products, or tools.

This job ad is packed with details that the candidate could easily integrate into their resume. First, we’ll explore how a targeted work history section can look based on the information above.

ATS-compliant resume experience section

• • Designed and implemented interactive games tailored to the DevEx brand and audience, resulting in a 25% increase in user engagement.
• • Developed scalable and efficient game systems, reducing server response time by 40% using AWS and performance tools like Lighthouse.
• • Managed technology projects and processes, mentoring 5 junior developers and ensuring 100% on-time project delivery.
• • Anticipated and prevented problems, leading to a 30% reduction in software bugs and improved system reliability.

This experience section entry is both ATS and recruiters-friendly for several reasons:

• Structured format : The structured format with distinct sections for job position, workplace, location, date range, and bullet points helps ATS systems parse the information correctly and consistently.
• Concise and clear : The section is concise, using clear and straightforward language to convey the candidate's qualifications and achievements, making it easy for both ATS and human recruiters to read.
• Relevant keywords : The job description  and bullet points include relevant keywords like "JavaScript," "HTML," "CSS," "React," "AWS," "performance tools," "Lighthouse," and "mentoring," which match the job posting's requirements.
• Action verbs : Each bullet point starts with strong action verbs such as "Designed," "Developed," "Managed," and "Anticipated," making the accomplishments clear and impactful.
• Quantifiable achievements : The inclusion of specific metrics (e.g., "25% increase in user engagement" and "40% reduction in server response time,") provides concrete evidence of success.

Next, we focus on another important element of an ATS resume—the skills section.

ATS-optimized resume skills

As mentioned earlier, listing your practical skills on a resume is relatively easy. Our resume builder ensures their formatting remains intact.

Below are the technical skills a software engineer should include on their resume. However, if these skills are already listed in another section, there’s no need to repeat them.

Skills and knowledge

• AWS (Amazon Web Services)
• TailwindCSS
• Performance tools (e.g., Lighthouse)
• Project Management
• System Integration
• Customer and vendor interaction

This skills section includes specific keywords and phrases directly from the job description, so there’s a high match rate with the job posting. Additionally, it covers a broad skill set, demonstrating the candidate's comprehensive qualifications and making the resume more likely to impress a recruiter.

Education and certifications for ATS compatibility

When building your education and certifications section, prioritize relevance and only list accomplishments and credentials that are job-relevant.

Here’s how an education and training background could look for the specific role we’re discussing.

• • Relevant coursework: Advanced Algorithms, Software Engineering, Web Development, Cloud Computing, Data Structures

Last but not least, let’s dive into building a resume summary that not only passes ATS screens with ease but also makes recruiters want to learn more about you.

How to write an ATS-friendly resume summary

Even though this section is placed at the top of your resume, we advise writing it last, after crafting all the other sections. This way, you’ll have all the information ready and will only need to summarize it.

To make your summary statement ATS-friendly, try to word your qualifications and expertise in the same way they’re presented in the job post. For the software developer role described above, a compelling summary would look like this:

So what makes it a good summary for the role?

• Comprehensive skills : The section summarizes relevant skills, experience, and capabilities in a concise manner (3-5 sentences max), clearly communicating the candidate's qualifications.
• Relevant keywords : We see key terms from the job description such as the job title, some tech tools and needed certificates.
• Quantified achievement : The candidate doesn’t fail to include a specific, measurable accomplishment ("increasing user engagement by 25%"), which demonstrates proven success and effectiveness.
• Professional tone : The choice of action verbs and adjectives creates a compelling and professional narrative without using the first-person perspective  which can sometimes be perceived as arrogant by human readers.

To optimize resume space, avoid repeating keywords. Say you’re AWS-certified. List this in a dedicated certifications section along with other credentials, or include it in your header or summary as a stand-alone achievement. Just don’t write it twice.

Rely on our tips to build a clear and ATS-friendly resume, but remember, the ultimate goal is to demonstrate to the hiring team that you have thoroughly studied the job description and can effectively contribute to the organization.

Here are some ready-made resumes with proven ATS success rates that you can use and adapt to your own needs. These resumes are designed for industries where applicant tracking software is commonly used.

IT Specialist Resume Example

Network Administrator Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Lab Technician Resume Example

Financial Analyst Resume Example

Accountant Resume Example

Sales Associate Resume Example

Store Manager Resume Example

Production Coordinator Resume Example

Quality Control Inspector Resume Example

Administrative Assistant Resume Example

Policy Analyst Resume Example

Teacher Resume Example

Academic Advisor Resume Example

Hotel Operations Manager Resume Example

Front-Desk Receptionist Resume Example

Network Engineer Resume Example

Customer Service Resume Example

Marketing Manager Resume Example

Graphic Designer Resume Example

The purpose of this ATS resume examples guide is to explain how much ATS actually matters for your resume and to address common industry myths honestly.

Here are the main takeaways:

• How ATS works : Above anything else, ATS helps companies manage job applications efficiently. It stores, organizes, filters, and parses resumes, but the final hiring decision is made by human recruiters.
• When ATS matters : These types of software are crucial for large companies that receive high volumes of applications. Smaller companies and startups might not use ATS, so optimizing your resume for human readers is equally important, if not more so.
• Tips for resume ATS optimization : Focus on a clear and simple format to ensure readability by both ATS and recruiters. Make sure you integrate keywords from the job description naturally within your resume.
• Debunking common myths : ATS don't automatically reject resumes solely based on keywords. Most ATS don't rate or decline applications; they help manage and organize them. Formatting issues can affect parsing, but ATS does not fully automate the hiring process.
• Future-proofing your resume : Keep your resume organized and readable to accommodate evolving ATS technologies. While you should use relevant keywords and ensure your resume format is ATS-friendly, always prioritize readability for human reviewers.

Looking to build your own ATS resume?

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How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume - Tips for ATS 2024

15 min read · Updated on July 30, 2024

Here's everything you need to know about applicant tracking systems

We've all been there: you find the perfect job opportunity, customize your resume and cover letter , submit your application to a job listing online, and then pray it will pass the infamous six-second resume review test. Unfortunately, more often than not, your job application is lost in the applicant tracking system - and you're left wondering why the employer or hiring manager wasn't that into you.

What many job seekers don't realize is that 75% of job applications don't get seen by human eyes. Before your resume reaches the hands of a live person, it must often pass muster with what's known as an applicant tracking system.

Below is everything you need to know about applicant tracking systems - and what best practices you can use to optimize your resume to ensure it gets selected.

What is an applicant tracking system?

An applicant tracking system - or ATS, for short - is a type of resume scanning software used by recruiters and employers during the hiring process to collect, sort, scan, and rank the job applications they receive for their open positions.

Why do companies use ATS?

There are some very good reasons why today's companies are so heavily reliant on ATS to narrow their job candidate search. The modern hiring process is more complex than ever before - and not just because there are so many more workers applying for a position. The reality is that most companies lack the resources and time needed to search through every resume submission they receive. By using automated systems, they can free up those resources to focus on their core company mission.

But there are also legal compliance issues that need to be considered. Employment law - and especially laws prohibiting various kinds of discrimination in hiring - need to be followed with care. Many employers understand that one of the best ways to reduce potential bias in the initial stages of any hiring process is to allow unbiased machines to handle some of the work.

The bottom line is that ATS resume scanners provide companies with an automated way to narrow any list of candidates to only those who meet the position's posted qualifications. And it does that in a way that avoids potential discrimination by ignoring characteristics like race, gender, and age. As a result, companies enjoy savings in both time and cost, while optimizing their compliance with existing employment laws.

How do applicant tracking systems work?

The ATS parses a resume's content into categories and then scans it for specific and relevant keywords to determine if the job application should be passed along to the recruiter. Its job is to essentially weed out unqualified applicants, so the recruiter can devote his or her time to evaluating the candidates who are more likely to be a match for the position. In other words, the ATS is apt to put the least-qualified candidates to the bottom of the pile, rather than identify the applicants who are the best fit.

Unfortunately, that means if a resume template is not written and formatted with the applicant tracking system in mind, a qualified candidate can be easily passed over.

How to write an ATS resume

To determine what makes an ATS-friendly resume, TopResume analyzed 1,000 resumes from professionals across the US with at least eight years of experience, to identify the most common resume mistakes that will cause an applicant tracking system to toss an application. The infographic below highlights some of the costliest mistakes that make a resume incompatible with an ATS scan.

If you want to make sure your resume is compliant with an ATS, follow the tips below to write and use an ATS-optimized resume.

Select the right file type for your resume

Contrary to popular belief, a PDF is not the most ATS-friendly file type. While PDF files are the best at preserving the design and format of your resume template, it's not compatible with all ATS software. If you're asked to upload your resume to an applicant tracking system and “PDF” is listed among the file formats you can use, feel free to send a PDF version of your resume. However, if the system does not specify which file types are compatible, play it safe and stick to a Word document in .doc or .docx. Plain-text files are also incredibly ATS-friendly for resumes, but they limit your formatting options and can look unprofessional. 

Since the best resume templates are written with two audiences in mind - the ATS pre-screening your application and the live human in HR who will review your resume content - we recommend using a Word document instead of a plain-text file for your resume file type. This will provide more creative freedom to write an ATS resume that will appeal to a recruiter or hiring manager.

Related: How to Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Make Recruiters Cringe

Don't put important details in the header or footer

Not all applicant tracking systems are able to properly read and parse information stored in the header and footer sections of a Word document. In fact, our study confirmed the ATS was unable to identify a portion of the job seeker's contact information 25% of the time. Avoid this same fate by placing important contact details (such as your name, phone number, and email address) outside the header or footer of your resume. 

Optimize your resume with keywords

One of the best ways to ensure your resume is compatible with an ATS is to optimize your resume with the right keywords (also known as keyword optimization). Unlike a “buzzword,” which is typically considered to be a fluffy term such as “proactive” or “self-starter,” keywords represent the soft skills and hard skills you possess and the expertise you've acquired over the years that qualify you for your target job.

If you're unsure which resume keywords should be used, start by collecting three to five job descriptions that represent the type of position you're pursuing. Then, copy and paste the job description into a free word and phrase frequency tool like Online-Utility.org's Text Analyzer , to identify the terms that are regularly used throughout your desired positions. If you possess these skills or qualifications from the job posting, incorporate these terms into your resume.

You should also pay careful attention to the job posting and any description of the position contained in that post. Identify any listed skill requirements, as well as desired experience and educational qualifications. These are likely to be included in any ATS resume scan too, so you'll want to ensure that these keywords can be found within your resume.

When it comes to creating an ATS-optimized resume, you need to think about the frequency, as well as the placement of these relevant keywords throughout your resume. Some applicant tracking systems will determine the strength of your skills based on the number of times a term shows up in your resume (aim to add the term two to three times throughout your resume), whereas others assign an estimated amount of experience for a particular skill based on its placement within the resume. To make your resume truly compatible with any ATS, you'll want to optimize it with both systems in mind.

First, create a “Core Competencies” or “Areas of Expertise” section below your resume professional summary that lists your strongest hard skills and soft skills. If there's a common abbreviation for one of your proficiencies, such as “SEO” (for search engine optimization), include both versions in your resume. Then, pepper these same terms into your “ Work Experience ” or “ Education ” sections, where appropriate, to demonstrate when you leveraged that skill.

Related: Why Soft and Hard Skills Are So Important for Your Resume

Some applicant tracking systems will associate the length of experience for a skill, based on how long you held the job where that skill was leveraged. For instance, if you worked at your past job for five years and you mention that you handled SEO for the company, the ATS will assume you have five years' worth of SEO experience from that job. If a skill is listed on its own - such as within the professional summary or a core competencies section - then the ATS scan will assign a few months' experience for that skill. This is why it's incredibly important to reiterate your skills throughout your entire resume, rather than just in a skill section at the top.

Include a resume headline

Make sure that your resume also includes a headline . This one-line heading should be located right after your contact information and before your summary statement. Companies that use an ATS to screen resumes will typically include the job title in their ATS assessment criteria. To create an ATS-friendly headline, simply:

Identify the job title you're applying for. It should be in the job posting or job description. For example, let's say that you're applying for a position as a Marketing Director. Those two words are keywords that need to be included in your headline.

Identify other key requirements that you may be able to highlight in your headline. It could be something as simple as a requirement that candidates have at least five years of experience in managing marketing teams. Take note of that job qualification since you may want to incorporate it into your headline too.

Create a headline that includes the job title and some descriptive language that helps to immediately identify you as a qualified candidate. If you use our example keywords, your headline might look something like this:

Dynamic Marketing Director with over 5 years of experience in client success

Avoid images, charts, and other graphics

While these may look nice to the human eye, resumes with embedded images become a garbled mess after they pass through the applicant tracking system. For instance, if you insert an image or chart to showcase your key skills, the ATS resume scanner will be unable to read it. If you use a cool graphic to brand your name on your resume, this piece of information will be lost on the applicant tracking system.

Stick to simple bullet points

When used appropriately, bullet points are a great method for highlighting accomplishments and qualifications on a resume. However, if you choose an elaborate symbol for your bullets, your important selling points could get scrambled. Avoid using intricate characters when creating a bulleted list on your ATS-compliant resume. Stick to the simplest options, such as a solid circle, open circle, or square, to ensure your bullet points enhance your resume, rather than make it incompatible with an ATS.

Use a clean resume design with a clear hierarchy

When it comes to your ATS-friendly resume design, less is more. Not only do complex resume designs or unusual formats confuse most applicant tracking systems, but they also annoy recruiters who are accustomed to quickly scanning a resume for specific information that they expect to find in specific areas within the document.

Click on the following link for more tips on how to write a resume that will beat the ATS .

How to create an ATS-friendly resume format

If you want your resume to perform well in an ATS scan , stick to a standard resume format such as a reverse chronological or  hybrid resume . These resume formats use a professional summary section at the top of the document to outline your key skills and qualifications and combine it with a chronological “Work History” section that explains how you've leveraged these qualities to produce results for your employers.

Most applicant tracking systems do a better job at reading and interpreting a reverse chronological or hybrid format, because they rely on chronological data to parse your resume.

As a result, it's in your best interest to avoid a functional resume format at all costs - where the focus is placed on your abilities, rather than a chronological work history.

Make sure your resume sections are easily identifiable

You'll notice that we've mentioned different resume sections throughout this post. There's a good reason for that, of course. Resumes are not like typical prose documents. If your resume is just one long story with different kinds of information spread across one or two pages like an essay, it won't perform well. And, even if it did, no human hiring manager would bother to read it.

To ensure that key details can be found by both the ATS and a hiring manager, separate that information into distinct sections. This helps to provide structure to your ATS resume and makes it easier for machines and humans to quickly scan for the information they want to see. Are you wondering why we said “scan” instead of “ read?”  It's simple: even hiring managers don't bother to read your resume from the first word to the last. Instead, they scan it until they see what they're looking for - and then read that part.

Below is a simple structure that you can use to ensure that your resume satisfies the needs of both the ATS and any hiring manager who sees it:

Contact information : This section goes right at the top of your resume, but not in the header. Remember, ATS systems are not adept at reading information in that area of your resume. Include vital details like your name, location, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn URL. This section doesn't need a label.

Resume headline : We covered the resume headline earlier in the post, so you can find some tips on how to create this attention-grabbing section there. Like the contact section, this requires no label.

Summary statement : This section should be a three to five-sentence elevator pitch designed to capture any hiring manager's attention. You can include keywords in this paragraph that highlight your most vital skills, experiences, and measurable achievements that showcase your potential value to the employer. 

Core competencies: This is where you list the skills that show you're qualified for the position. Depending on the job you're seeking, your skill section may be weighted toward either soft or hard skills - but you should try to include some mix of both. You can label this section “Skills” or “Core Competencies” to ensure that both humans and machines can readily identify its content and importance.

Professional history : Otherwise known as work experience, this labeled section should include your relevant work history dating back 10-15 years. Make sure that you start by listing your most recent position and then list the others in reverse order. For each position you've held, include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and several bullet point examples that demonstrate your achievements in each role.

Education : This section also needs to be labeled and should include the name of the college you attended, the years of attendance, your course of study and degree, and any relevant coursework that you need to show to demonstrate your qualifications. You can also include listings for certifications, continuing education, and other relevant training.

How to run an ATS resume test for compliance

There are two easy ways to determine if your resume is compatible with an applicant tracking system during the job search.

Convert your resume to a plain-text file

Copy the entire content from your ATS-friendly resume, paste it into a plain-text document, and review the results. If the plain-text version is missing details from your original resume, has characters saved incorrectly, or looks disorganized (i.e., the heading for your “Education” section appears in the middle of your work experience), then assume your resume will require editing before it's ATS compliant.

Request a free ATS scan for your resume

Here at TopResume, we offer career advice and a free ATS resume scan as part of our free resume review. When you request a free resume review from TopResume, you'll receive feedback on your resume's content, as well as its ATS compatibility.

The first half of the review offers an objective look at what your resume is doing well and where it's falling short, from both an information and design perspective. The second half of the free resume review shows you exactly what information an ATS will pull from your resume, what information it will be unable to identify and retrieve (such as your name, contact information, most recent job title, and most recent employer), and what top skills and keywords your resume currently ranks for.

If the ATS is unable to identify this important information or thinks you're a fit for a job when you're not, then your ATS resume will need to be further optimized before it passes the ATS compatibility test. Fortunately, our experienced team of resume experts has the expertise you need to help with that optimization and ensure that your resume has what it takes to perform well in an ATS scan.

Click on the following link to watch our latest #OfficeHours video on how to write an ATS resume to beat the bots .

Don't let the ATS stop you from landing your dream job. Get an ATS-proof resume today . This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine and has been updated by Ken Chase. 

Recommended reading:

How to Customize Your Resume for Each Job Application

5 Signs It's Time to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

Words and Phrases to Remove from Your Resume Right Away

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24+ ATS Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

Discover our range of ATS resume examples and templates to be sure your application is easy to scan and understand.

It’s essential to have a resume that meets the criteria of a company’s applicant tracking system (ATS), also known as the resume scanners. 

Otherwise, you’ll probably get the email that they’re not going to proceed with your application. 

In other words, rejection. 

If you don’t want to get rejected before landing an interview, you’ll need an ATS resume to bypass the initial screening process. 

That’s why we compiled our best ATS resume examples for you to get inspiration from. To make this as useful as possible, each template includes a brief analysis of what makes them good so you can use some of these points for your next resume. 

However, there’s a few things you should know. 

Why Are ATS Resumes Important?

An ATS friendly resume is a resume that’s optimized for getting past the screening software companies use to filter candidates. This is typically the first hurdle of the hiring process job seekers face yet many are rejected before they can land an interview. 

ATS resumes are important because they show HR managers who scan hundreds on resumes that you’re a qualified candidate. 

Your employers don’t want to move forward with job seekers who simply aren’t qualified for the role. But they don’t have the time to check through hundreds and thousands of resumes individually. 

So, they’ll use what’s known as an ATS to narrow the list of applicants. In fact, it was found that almost 100% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS. Thanks to this recruiting technology, hiring managers can instantly find out whether or not the applicants for a job vacancy are a good fit. 

If you want to be part of the group of candidates who do reach the interview stage, your resume has to be ATS compliant. 

To do that, it requires the following:

• Resume keywords
• Relevant experience
• Qualifications
• An ATS-friendly format 

In essence, it’s about personalizing your resume and matching the job description. 

What is the Best Format for an ATS Resume?

The reverse chronological resume ; in this type of resume, you list your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current job and working backward through your previous positions. It’s the standard resume format for most ATS resumes because it starts by listing what’s most relevant first. This makes it easier for both the ATS and human reader to identify the key points in your application. 

Another good option is the combination resume. It’s well-rounded as it balances the focus on your work history, skills, and qualifications. However, make sure you stick to a simple layout . 

6 Tips on How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume 

Here are 6 tips to create an ATS optimized resume :

• Save space for your work experience section
• Include keywords throughout your resume
• Mention skills that are directly related to the job responsibilities
• Prioritize your most relevant professional experiences
• Organize your skills into categories
• Keep your resume one-page long

24+ ATS Resume Examples and What You Can Learn From Them

We’ve included a range of our best samples including job positions from industries such as:

• Engineering
• Human resources (HR)
• Programming

There are a few more templates towards the end including healthcare and resume examples for students . 

Business ATS-Friendly Resume Examples

A resume is meant to provide a detailed overview of your professional summary . The samples below do this by highlighting what they’ve achieved as a professional to reinforce their credentials. 

1. Administrative Assistant Resume

The first template on this list is for an administrative assistant .

Not all of us might have the ideal amount of experience a hiring manager would prefer. But, this candidate sticks to their strengths by focusing on the future value of what they could offer via their resume objectives . 

Another way they’ve stuck to their strengths is by listing their certifications and coursework. This aligns with their statement at the start which mentioned they’re highly motivated. 

It’s structured neatly too including ATS keywords such as:

• Administrative associate
• Microsoft Suite

2. Account Manager Resume

This time, the account manager sample emphasizes their work experience. 

Throughout the what to write in a resume for work experience , they haven’t only included keywords in subheaders. They’ve written their resume for a human reader as well. For instance, sharing the results of their work using statistics. 

Try to let your experience speak for itself, especially for management positions. 

Design ATS Resume Templates

It’s common for professionals in the design industry to include a link to their website or portfolio in the resume header next to their contact details. 

3. Graphic Designer Resume

The graphic designer resume template starts strong.

On top of using resume buzzwords to avoid , all bullet points start with an weak action verbs resume . It also gets straight to the point. It’s concise yet effective because it shows employers they’re well-versed with what their role entails. 

4. Web Designer Resume

In the web designer resume example, the candidate begins by highlighting their passion and skills. 

Focus on your strengths in your ATS resume summary section to catch your reader’s interest. 

Despite each template being ATS-optimized, optimize it for a real human being too. Don’t focus solely on the resume scanners. Otherwise, it could make your application look unnatural. 

Engineering ATS Resume Examples

In this category, we’ve included a new type of template for your resume . 

Even if you have no formal qualifications like a university degree, there are ways to make up for this gap. The template below is a good example of this. 

5. DevOps Engineer Resume

In the DevOps engineer resume template, it mainly focuses on the candidate’s skills and experience. 

They might seem to have a limited how to list education on resume as there isn’t an education section. But they’ve made it clear they’re competent enough for the role by doing 2 things. 

One, they went in-depth about their job duties and responsibilities in previous companies. Two, they included relevant certificates. 

If you have achievements, use an alternative resume section to list them, e.g. certifications.

6. Mechanical Engineer Resume

The mechanical engineering resume uses a different format compared to everything we’ve seen so far. 

This is known as the bold resume format. It’s made by Rezi to help job seekers stand out by using a more modern aesthetic with minimal design. The best part is that it’s completely parsable and readable for the ATS.  

Finance ATS-Compliant Resume Examples

Formal experience and qualifications look good on a finance resume. It could also be part of the requirements of a company’s ATS for a job seeker to show they’re capable of the role. 

7. Banking Resume

The banking resume template uses additional resume sections. 

On top of their work experience, they’ve mentioned extracurricular activities. This is under the customized subheading of “campus involvement”. 

They’ve also shared their academic accomplishments. Besides their university bachelor’s degree, this includes relevant projects and certifications. If you have other things to talk about such as training and coursework, use them to your advantage. 

8. Finance Resume

Unlike the previous example, the writer behind the finance resume template above uses a summary section. 

It’s not just the work experience that makes this a good application. The additional resume sections play a part too. Any professional credentials such as licenses or training that you’ve had are valuable for making a strong first impression. 

9. Investment Banking Resume

From all the finance resume examples, you may have noticed that there are usually a few qualifications listed. If not qualifications, then it could be substituted with coursework or relevant projects. Or all of these could be mentioned. 

The investment banking resume template is no different. 

It uses more than just the essential resume sections. This emphasizes how they’re certified and prepared for taking on the job responsibilities. 

Human Resources (HR) ATS Resume Templates

Technical skills and knowledge are valuable for modern HR professionals. It’s effective if you could use other resume sections to show you’re deeply knowledgeable about the industry and what’s required for the job.

10. HR Resume

The candidate of this HR resume demonstrates their expertise by their experience. Another key element is their theoretical knowledge. Besides their GPA, they’ve included relevant coursework. All of which implies how they’ve developed both their hard skills and soft skills. 

11. Recruiter Resume

The recruiter resume template goes in-depth on their professional experience. 

There are other things listed that add to their credibility. This includes their qualifications and certifications. Plus, they’ve categorized their skills under technical knowledge. On top of them being transferable and in-demand , some are also keywords for the ATS.

Programming and Software Engineer ATS Resume Examples

It’s likely the ATS will be on the lookout for technical skills and experience. 

In the list of examples below, you’ll see how candidates have categorized their skills and write about the results of their work. 

12. Full Stack Developer Resume

Your knowledge of programming languages such as Java and Python will be important.

In the full stack developer resume sample, the candidate grouped their skills. This makes it clear where they’re most technically proficient. Moreover, they’ve included their fields of interest which could be helpful for showing you’re a good fit. 

13. IT Support Specialist Resume

Like the previous example, this IT support specialist resume groups the candidate’s skills. Apart from that, they start by outlining their strengths and objectives. 

To introduce yourself in an engaging way, use the summary section of your resume. It’s especially useful if you’re making a career change. From there, you can back up your statements with your experience and qualifications. 

14. Software Developer Resume

The candidate who used the software developer resume template above landed a job interview at HubSpot. 

A range of keywords is included in the skills section. 

More notably, they’ve written about the results of their work from carrying out the job responsibilities in previous roles. Not only does it demonstrate their expertise. But it shows they’re a strong performer capable of delivering to a high standard. 

15. Software Engineer Resume

This software engineer template is a good example of how additional resume sections aren’t always necessary. 

Besides the summary section, only the essential sections are included. 

You don’t need to include them as long as you have relevant experience to talk about. However, these should be directly related to what the hiring manager is looking for. 

Marketing ATS Resume Samples

Marketing software proficiency and research skills are important in this industry. Strong interpersonal skills could also give you a competitive advantage. As there are different types of marketing involved such as:

• Content marketing
• Email marketing
• Product marketing
• Search engine marketing (SEM)
• Social media marketing

Employers may want to see you’re knowledgeable in a variety of areas. See below for proven marketing resume examples . 

16. Digital Marketing Resume

This digital marketing resume is a good example of emphasizing your career progression. 

Plus, they’ve highlighted their qualifications. This can give the employer confidence in their ability to perform and get results. 

17. Marketing Manager Resume

The marketing manager sample keeps the description under each section concise. In fact, most of them are only one line long.

That said, this candidate is specific when describing previous work responsibilities. For instance, they’ve specified how many team members they worked with on a project and how many reports they maintained. 

Only include what’s most important and try to adopt a minimalist mindset by sticking to what’s essential. This helps limit your resume to one page as opposed to can a resume be 2 pages.  

18. Social Media Resume

The applicant of this social media resume template immediately makes their passion and confidence clear by their word choices in the summary section. This can hook the hiring managers in and get their interest the moment they read the application.

It’s subtle, but they’ve also personalized the subheadings to help them stand out at first glance. Here are some examples: 

• “Professional experience” rather than work experience
• “Marketing training” rather than training
• “Skills profile” rather than skills

Other ATS Resume Examples

Here are a few more of our top ATS resume samples from industries such as healthcare, education, and sales resume examples . 

19. Customer Service Representative Resume

The candidate who used this template to apply as a customer service representative landed an interview at Apple. They’re one of the biggest companies around, which made it a competitive job posting. 

One reason this resume is impressive is that it’s concise. Each bullet point gets straight to the point, hence they’re only one line long. 

Moreover, sharing the results of your work not only indicates you’re a strong performer. It indicates that you’re a results-driven person. This is one trait hiring managers are bound to look out for.

20. Nurse Resume

The nurse resume sample above leaves out the skills section. Instead, they used the space to list their qualifications. The candidate’s abilities are shown through what they’ve achieved throughout their career. 

21. Second Year Student Resume

Students will usually have how to make a resume with no experience . 

Despite not having as much corporate experience, the second year student resume sticks to their strengths. How? By starting with their academic background. 

They’ve also talked about an internship for their work experience section. On top of this, they’ve included the extracurricular activities they were involved in. 

22. English Language Teacher Resume

A range of transferable skills is mentioned in this english language teacher resume.

The applicant hasn’t only positioned themself as a qualified teacher. In the summary section, they wrote about being a technology specialist too. As school environments continue to evolve, hiring managers may consider the potential value you could bring in other areas. 

23. Sales Resume

The applicant describes their workplace achievements alongside their duties and responsibilities. 

That’s not the only reason why this sales resume is good though. It’s the additional resume sections too. Apart from being skilled in the profession, it’s implied that they’re passionate because of other accomplishments. For instance, extracurricular activities in university and online coursework. 

24. Senior Project Manager Resume

Lastly, we’ve got the senior project manager resume template. 

It isn’t the same as other samples in this article as the ats friendly fonts and format are different. 

This application draws the reader’s attention to where the bold text is. Here, that’s mostly their certifications. But before reaching this section, employers will notice their work history. 

It’s a bold approach yet it’s readable by the ATS. For competitive job postings, using a different resume format could help you stand out. 

Looking for More ATS Resume Examples ?

Didn’t find a resume example for your exact job position? 

No worries, we have over 300 free ATS resume templates in our resume library. All of them alongside our ATS cover letter templates are designed to beat any company’s ATS so you can create a job-winning application to secure an interview. 

Never Get Rejected Because of Applicant Tracking Systems Again

It’s not impossible to write the perfect resume. 

Although each application would be different because of factors such as the type of company you’re applying for and the company culture, it doesn’t have to be so difficult. 

It can be as simple as just making tweaks to your resume using a checklist of what you should include. 

In other words, it’s made easy by using the following tools:

• Keyword scanner: get a list of all the resume keyword scanner .  
• Resume checker: get real-time feedback based on the ats resume checker .  
• AI writer: create a tailored resume automatically .

All the Job Application Tools You Need in One Place

Whether you’re looking to create a resume from scratch in less than 5 minutes or optimize an existing resume, Rezi has all the tools you need. 

It’s a straightforward process yet we’ve helped more than 245,000+ job seekers land interviews at the most competitive companies including:

The only thing you need to do to get started is to sign up now for free! 

Explore Rezi 🔥 Comes with 5,000 AI Credits, and is free forever, no credit card required.

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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ATS Friendly Resume: What Is It & How to Write It (+ATS Friendly Templates)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated January 17, 2024 14 min read

Having an ATS friendly resume is the safest way to ensure that your job application won't get lost in the digital oblivion. 

While Applicant Tracking Systems used to be the prerogative of big corporations, their popularity has been steadily rising among small and midsize businesses as well.

If you're currently on the lookout for new work opportunities, you're going to bump into it sooner or later. 

The problem is: While you might be the perfect candidate for a job opening, if your resume isn't tailored to align with ATS, it will get overlooked and won't even reach a human recruiter.

Luckily for you, we're here to help you make a resume that will never be overlooked by ATS again. 

In the following article you'll find:

• What is ATS friendly resume;
• What is keyword optimization;
• How to make resume ATS friendly;

ATS friendly resume templates

Let's start from the beginning …

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is ATS?

Keyword optimization: what is it, what is an ats friendly resume, how to make resume ats friendly in 7 steps, key takeaways: ats friendly resume: what is it & how to write it.

The abbreviation ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System . It's an HR computer software programmed to streamline the recruitment process.

Back in the olden days, you had to hand in a printed resume for a job, and the HR department sorted them by hand. But with the internet and lots of job websites, this way of doing things became outdated and inefficient. 

Today, answering a job advertisement is easier than ever. A single job posting can attract the attention of hundreds of candidates at a time. How could the recruiters possibly deal with all that? Enter the ATS. 

Applicant Tracking Systems help the recruiters in several ways:

• Submitting a job posting. Hiring managers use ATS to post job listings to multiple job boards and social media platforms from a single source. 
• Collecting applications. Candidates apply for jobs through the ATS. All submissions are then collected and oragnized automatically.
• Scanning resumes. ATS scans all the submitted applications. It analyses and categorizes the information in resumes (this process is called parsing ). It then stores the extracted data and makes it easier to retrieve.
• Ranking of candidates. ATS algorithms assign the candidates a percentage score based on how well their data match the criteria set by the recruiters (desired skills, education, past work experience, etc.,). The more your resume matches the job requirements listed in the job posting, the higher your percentage score will be. 
• Filtering candidates. Only the job applications of candidates who scored the highest will be forwarded to the recruiters for further review (eg. candidates who scored in the 100% - 75% range). ATS will mercilessly discard all the other applications and resumes. To avoid this, make sure your resume is ATS friendly.

When ATS scans your resume, it looks for relevant information in the form of keywords. These represent the necessary requirements (qualifications and skills) for the role. 

The use of relevant keywords is crucial because it helps the ATS determine the suitability of a candidate for a job opening. The more relevant keywords you incorporate into your resume; the better score you'll get.

Pretty much any information on your resume can be converted into keywords:

• Education (B.A. in Marketing, M.A. in Software Engineering, …)
• Work experience (customer service, business development, account management, …)
• Soft skills (leadership, communication, critical thinking, …)
• Compute r skills (Adobe Photoshop, Python, Oracle, …)
• Certifications (CPE, driver's license, …)

How to write down keywords?

Remember, ATS are computer programmes. It doesn't matter how complex they get; they can only read information if it's in the correct form . That's why you always need to pay attention to your wording.

Beware of these two common traps :

• Use the exact language as the job posting . This is the alpha and omega of ATS friendly resumes. Not all systems are sophisticated enough to recognize synonyms. If the job posting calls for the knowledge of “Adobe Creative Suite” (which is now discontinued), don't put “Adobe Creative Cloud” among your skills instead. Even though the two packages are identical, ATS might not know that.
• Use both the acronyms and full names of skills, certificates, competencies . Again, some ATS systems might know the term “ business-to-business marketing ,” but others might be programmed to recognize the same skill only under its acronym – B2B. The safest way is to use both – the full name followed by its acronym . Eg.: Customer Relationship Manager (CRM).
• Your resume should always be typo free . But when it comes to ATS, spelling mistakes are especially costly. Proofread your resume multiple times to avoid any unnecessary mistakes. 

Where to place the keywords?

Ideally, the most important keywords will appear 2-3 times throughout your resume . 

As to their placement, don't get any bright ideas!

Don't forget, your resume will eventually be read by recruiters. If you try to “cheat the system” in some way, they won't be impressed. 

Inventing a section titled “ Keywords” on your resume and stacking it with keywords could, in theory, get you through the ATS. But not much further. 

And no cheeky white text either ! This might've worked when you needed to reach a certain word count on your uni essay – but it won't work now. ATS enables recruiters to see ALL the textual content of your resume, even the one you can't see. This faux pas will cost you a job opportunity. 

Keywords should be sprinkled naturally throughout your resume. Incorporate them into all resume sections : 

• resume summary, 
• education, 
• work experience, 
• skills, 
• certificates, 
• volunteering, 
• awards and achievements. 

In a nutshell, ATS friendly resume is a resume which can get past the ATS and make its way to the hands of the recruiters . Using a simple and clean resume layout, avoiding certain graphic elements, and incorporating relevant keywords from the job posting can all contribute to making your resume more compatible with the ATS.

Still wondering “ How to check if my resume is ATS friendly ”? Let's have a look.

The thing is, there isn't just one type of ATS. Companies such as Taleo , Greenhouse , or Lever are just a few drops in the ATS ocean. 

Each software has unique features and properties, but they all follow the same basic principles. 

Stick to our advice and make your resume more ATS friendly with these 9 steps:

To find out which keywords to use, go over your job posting and highlight the most relevant ones. Always cater to the demands outlined in the job posting. Never lie about your skills or qualifications.

Your resume must be r eadable by the ATS. To ensure this, avoid using these graphic elements : photos, unusual fonts, alternative section titles, graphs, two-column structures.

The ATS used by the company you want to get hired by may not be able to read information embedded in the header.

This will make the parsing process easier for the Applicant Tracking System.

This is the core of your resume. When writing down your work experience entries, make sure to use keywords in the exact form they appear in the job posting . Pay attention to how you format your dates.

This is the only section where column structures are allowed. Don't use infographics to mark down the level of proficiency of your skills.

Nearly all ATS programmes can read non-image PDF and .doc files. Always follow the instructions in your job posting though!

Now, let's look at these steps closely.

Step 1: Optimize your resume with keywords

Firstly, you must figure out which keywords to use and where to find them .

This step is pretty simple, really: 

• Go back to the job posting.
• Print it out.
• Take a highlighter and mark all phrases that catch your attention.

Focus on role description, requirements, and responsibilities . 

Here, we've prepared a made-up job posting and highlighted the keywords:

Now, organize the highlighted keywords into groups based on where in your resume you want to place them. This will help you with further steps.

Step 2: Keep your resume formatting ATS friendly

More sophisticated ATS programmes may be able to read creative designs, but this is not a given. And you don't know which software the company you want to get hired by uses. 

Creative designs and unusual layouts can confuse the ATS . Because of this, the resume can be misread or discarded entirely. 

Here is a list of what to avoid: 

• Photos, graphs, tables, text windows and other graphic elements. Attention-grabbing? Yes! Readable by the ATS? No.
• Unusual fonts. Stick to the basics. Use traditional fonts, such as: Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. 
• Alternative section titles . Good old “Personal Information”, “Resume Summary”, “Work Experience”, etc., will do just fine. 
• Resume formats other than chronological resume . While skills-based resume 's been gaining traction, its unusual section organization may be problematic to read for the ATS.
• Two column structures. ATS are programmed to read documents from top to bottom, left to right. Two column structures might go unnoticed to them. And you can end up with sentences cut in the middle. 

Don't let unsuitable design be the reason why your resume gets discarded!

Choosing the right formatting for your resume can be a real headache. Save yourself the pain and use some of our resume templates as your first draft. 

Step 3: Don't place your personal information in the resume header

Putting your contact information into the resume header is a great way to save precious space … normally.

However, if you want to make your resume ATS friendly, we strongly advise against it. 

Not all ATS programmes are designed to read the information in the header or the footer . 

Create a separate “Personal Information” section and place all your contact information there.

Looking for ATS-friendly resume?

Our resume templates are designed by typographers and approved by recruiters.

Step 4: Include the title of the position you're applying for in your resume summary

This will make the ATS parsing process so much easier! The software will now immediately know where to place your application. 

Plus, resume summary is a great place to start sneaking in those keywords! 

Remember our job posting example? If we were to apply for it, the resume summary could look something like this: 

Step 5: Incorporate keywords into your work experience section

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. Since this is, by far, the most extensive section, it provides plenty of opportunities to include keywords. 

Use this space wisely! 

If you have two or more work experiences with the same/similar competencies, try to focus on the different outcomes you reached. This will give you a chance to use more diverse keywords . But don't avoid repetitions altogether. Remember, it's good to feature certain keywords 2-3 times per resume. 

Just like with a regular resume, organize your work entries in reverse-chronological order .

With ATS friendly resumes, it's crucial to use the correct format for dates . There are two ways you can mark dates of employment in your resume: 

• With names of the months. For example: March/2022.
• YES to 03/2022, NO to 3/2022.

Choose only one of these formats and use it consistently all throughout your resume . 

Our hypothetical Senior Project Manager could incorporate keywords into his work experience like so: 

Note the use of action verbs (led, managed, played a role, …) and quantifiers . Both can make your work experience descriptions more succinct and impactful.

Step 6: Expand your keyword count in the skills section

Skills section might be the best place to include keywords without making it look too conspicuous.

For better organization, divide your skills into several categories such as: computer skills, language skills, etc.

This is also the only section where you don't have to shy away from two (or more) column structures . Since the information in this section is usually presented in the form of a list , you don't have to worry about breaking sentences.

There is one burning question though – should you include infographics in your skills section?

The answer is: a firm no!

It's true that the use of graphic elements can elevate the overall look of a resume; but not all ATS know how to read them . If they get confused, you're risking losing valuable points towards your ATS score.

Our Senior Project Manager decided to make his skills section simple and straight-to-the-point:

While the work experience and skills sections are the best for incorporating keywords, make sure to still scatter some around throughout your whole resume and other resume sections (e.g., Education).

Step 7: Save your resume in the right format.

Finally, once you've finished putting together your ATS friendly resume, you must save it in the right format . 

If you thought that there would be no more pitfalls, you were wrong. Different ATS accept different formats .

How to know which format is the correct one?

You might find the answer to that in the job posting . But if it doesn't contain this information, just like our mock job posting, the safest way to ensure that your resume is ATS friendly is to save your resume in a non-image-based format:

• As a PDF . One that is not image-based!
• As a  Word document . .doc or .docx

If you're nervous about formatting your resume, remove this unnecessary stress from your life and use one of your resume templates. 

Here are our picks of 5 most ATS friendly resume templates in our resume arsenal. You can customize them based on your specific needs – add a section if needed or change the fonts (but nothing crazy mind you).

You can save each of our templates as a PDF or a Word document to ensure maximum ATS readability. 

Without further ado, here are 5 ATS friendly resume templates you can try. Just click the button "Create resume" under each. Oh, and you can do so for free for some of them

#1 ATS friendly resume template: Basic (free)

ATS-friendly resume template designed by a team of professional typographers and recruiters.

Our "Basic" template is the simplest of the lot. But don't underestimate this timeless classic. To ensure maximum ATS readability, refrain from using your photo.

#2 ATS friendly resume template: Europe

Sophisticated and elegant, our " Europe" template always does the trick. Just remember to avoid using infographics to mark the level of proficiency of your skills. In our Resume Builder, you can easily opt out of this.

#3 ATS friendly resume template: Green

The additional pop of colour in our " Green " template provides that something extra to stand out visually. The use of colour is not too overwhelming or too prominent not to be readable by ATS. Avoid using your photo or infographics in your skills section.  

#4 ATS friendly resume template: Bauhaus

True to its functionalist name, our " Bauhaus" template goes straight to the point. Due to its spacious layout, it provides plenty of room for all the information you need. This template is perfect for ATSs of all kinds. Avoid using infographics in your skills section .

#5 ATS friendly resume template: Reed

Finally , our " Reed" template is the epitome of refinement. Pleasing to both ATS programmes and human eyes. Don't forget to avoid the use of infographics in the skills section. 

Having an ATS friendly resume is crucial to ensure your job application won't get discarded before reaching a human recruiter .

Even if you're the perfect candidate, failing to optimize your resume for ATS can result in your application being dismissed. 

Using relevant keywords in your resume is critical as ATS scans for these to assess the suitability of a candidate for a specific job opening. Incorporate keywords naturally throughout the resume in sections like summary, education, work experience, skills, and so on. 

To make your resume ATS friendly, you should:

• Keep your layout simple
• Avoid two-column structures
• Avoid using graphs, photos, infographics, etc.
• Use standard fonts
• Save your resume in a format ATS software can read

Finally, remember, while it's important to optimize your resume for ATS, it should also be readable and appealing to human recruiters who will eventually review it after it passes through the ATS. Striking a balance between ATS-friendly and human-friendly is key to creating an effective resume.

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System and Into Human Hands

Does job searching sometimes feel like you’re flinging resumes and cover letters into a black hole? You may be wondering if your applications are being read at all.

Perhaps you’ve heard that computerized resume scanners reject applications before they even make it into human hands. And yes—at many companies that receive a high volume of applications, that’s true.

SEARCH OPEN JOBS ON THE MUSE! See who’s hiring here , and you can even filter your search by benefits, company size, remote opportunities, and more. Then, sign up for our newsletter and we’ll deliver advice on landing the job right to you.

The internet has completely transformed the job searching landscape. Long gone are the days when you’d “pound the pavement” or “go in and ask to speak to a manager” for all but the smallest local businesses. Instead, you apply online—which is a double-edged sword for everyone involved. Because you don’t have to physically fill out and deliver an application or send out resumes and cover letters via snail mail anymore, you can apply to a lot more jobs. But so can everybody . This means that an open position can easily get far more applications than companies have the resources to read.

Just ask Muse Career Coach Yolanda M. Owens, Founder of CareerSensei Consulting , who has more than 20 years of recruiting experience in a range of industries, including healthcare, tech, and financial services. When she was a corporate recruiter, she would post a job opening and get back, she says, “over 300 applications for an entry-level position within a week.” She was generally recruiting for between 15 and 20 roles at a time, meaning that she might have 6,000 applicants to track at once!

So hiring managers and recruiters like Owens frequently use an applicant tracking system (ATS)—software that helps them organize job applications and ensure none fall through the cracks. If you’ve applied to a job any time since 2008, your application has probably passed through an ATS. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS of some kind, according to research conducted by Jobscan. Any time you apply for a job through an online form or portal, your application is almost certainly going into an ATS.

But an ATS does more than just track applications—it can also act as a filter, parsing every resume submitted and forwarding only the most relevant, qualified job seekers to a hiring manager or recruiter. That’s the resume-scanning technology you’ve probably heard about.

Luckily, getting past the ATS is a lot easier than you might think. Follow these dos and don’ts to create an ATS-friendly resume that’ll sail right through—and impress the hiring manager, too.

1. Do Apply Only to Roles You’re Qualified For

ATSs get a bad rap as the “robots” standing between you and your new job, and when you hear that Owens read only 25% of the applications she received for most postings, it might reinforce that impression.

But the reason she looked at such a small percentage of applications? Most candidates were not qualified for the job she was filling. And some were completely irrelevant. “If I’m looking at an entry-level [accounting] position and seeing someone who is a dentist or a VP,” Owens says, it’s totally fair for the ATS to discard those.

So first and foremost, make sure you’re truly qualified for the roles you’re applying to. This doesn’t mean you have to hit every single job qualification or apply to a job only if you have the traditional background for it. Owens says she was always “trying to cast a wide net and not exclude too many factors to pass up a candidate who might not be traditional”— career changers looking for an entry point into a new field, for example, or folks who had impressive transferable skills. But if you don’t have the core skills needed to perform a job, you’re better off not wasting your time or a recruiter’s.

2. Don’t Apply to Tons of Jobs at the Same Company

An applicant tracking system also allows recruiters to see all the roles you’ve applied to at their company. Owens often noticed the same person applying to every single opening the company or one of its departments had. When you do this, a recruiter can’t tell what you’re actually interested in or if you’re self-aware about your abilities.

If a company has two very similar roles open, absolutely apply to both. Or if you have a wide range of skills and interests and would be equally happy in two very different roles, then you can apply to both, though you should definitely tailor or target each resume you submit to the specific job.

But you generally shouldn’t be applying to both an entry-level position and a director-level position, or a sales position and a video-editing position. And you definitely shouldn’t be applying to every opening a company has. That just shows you haven’t taken the time to consider what the right role for you is—and a recruiter isn’t likely to take the time to do it for you.

3. Do Include the Right Keywords

At its core, what any applicant tracking system is programmed to do when it “reads” a resume is the same as what a person would do: It’s scanning for key pieces of information to find out whether or not you’re a match for a job opening. “ATS algorithms aren’t that different from the human algorithms, we’re all kind of skimming for the same things,” says Jon Shields, Marketing Manager at Jobscan. So when it comes to writing a resume that can make it past an ATS, you want to make sure that key information is there and that it’s easy to find.

One of the ways the ATS narrows an applicant pool is by searching for specific keywords. It’s like a Google search on a much smaller scale.

The recruiter or hiring manager can decide which keywords to search for—usually whatever skills, qualifications, experience, or qualities are most important for performing the job. For entry-level roles, that might mean certain majors, whereas for a tech position, it might be certain coding languages.

So if you want to make it past the ATS, you’ll need to include those important keywords on your resume. Hint: Look for the hard skills that come up more than once in a posting and are mentioned near the top of the requirements and job duties. Hard skills include types of software, methodologies, spoken languages, and other abilities that are easier to quantify. (The most important keyword could even be the job title itself!)

Depending on your industry, certain degrees and certifications might also be important keywords. Particularly in fields like nursing and teaching where state licenses are necessary, employers are going to want to know at a glance that you’re legally allowed to do the job you’re applying for.

If you’re having trouble identifying the important keywords in a job description as you craft an ATS-friendly resume, there are tools online (like Jobscan , Resume Worded’s Targeted Resume or SkillSyncer ) that can help you.

Note: In some cases, an ATS scanning for keywords will only recognize and count exact matches. So if you have the correct experience, but you wrote it using language that’s different than what the system is looking for, you might not come up as one of the most qualified applicants. For example, if you write that you’re an “LSW” but the ATS is checking for “Licensed Social Worker,” it might drop your resume. (To be safe, write out the full name, then put the abbreviation in parentheses.) Or if you wrote that you’re “an Excel expert,” but the ATS is searching for someone who has “experience with spreadsheets,” your resume might never get to the hiring manager. When in doubt, match your phrasing to what’s in the job description, as that’s likely to be what the ATS is looking for.

4. Do Put Your Keywords in Context

Applicant tracking systems can recognize that a key skill or experience is present. But interpreting the strength and value of that experience is still for people to do. And humans want to see how you used your skills.

It’s obvious to a recruiter when you’ve just worked in a keyword because it was in the posting, without tying it to a specific personal achievement—and it doesn’t win you any points. “Instead of focusing on regurgitating a job description, focus on your accomplishments,” Owens says.

Plus, remember that you won’t be the only one adding those important keywords to your resume. “If [you’re] all using the same job descriptions and the same buzzwords, what’s going to make you stand out from the crowd?” Owens asks. Answer: your accomplishments, which are unique to you .

When describing your current and past positions, “ensure your bullet points are actually achievements, and use numbers and metrics to highlight them,” says Rohan Mahtani, Founder of Resume Worded . Instead of just telling recruiters and hiring managers that you have a skill, this will show them how you’ve used it and what the results were.

5. Don’t Try to Trick the ATS

ATSs have brought up a whole new host of problems with applicants “trying to cheat the system,” Owens says. You might have come across advice about how to tweak your resume to fool an applicant tracking system—by pasting keywords in white, pasting the entire job description in white, repeating the keywords as many times as possible, or adding a section labeled “keywords” where you stick various words from the job description.

Don’t do any of this!

Any tricks that have to do with pasting keywords in white will immediately be discovered because the ATS will display all text in the same color on the other end. So even if this gets your application flagged to a human recruiter, they’ll see that you added the full text of the job description or just wrote “sales sales sales sales” somewhere and move onto the next candidate as quickly as they can. Not only are you failing to prove you’re qualified for the job, but you’re also showing that you’ll cheat to get ahead!

If you were considering adding a “keyword” section, remember that it lacks any context. If you can’t also speak to your experience with the skill, it probably doesn’t belong on your resume, and if this is true of one of the main keywords, this isn’t the job for you. What you can do, however, is include a keyword-rich resume summary — not an objective statement —that concisely puts your skills in context at the top of your document.

You also want to be careful you’re not just stuffing your resume full of keywords. “You can use a keyword as much as you like so long as it’s used in [the] correct context that makes it relevant to the job description,” says Nick Francioso, an Army veteran who mentors other veterans during career transitions and the founder of resume optimization tool SkillSyncer . But if you just cram in random keywords all over the place, you might make it past a resume scanner only to irritate a recruiter or hiring manager with a resume full of nonsense.

6. Do Choose the Right File Type

In the great resume file-type debate, there are only two real contenders: docx vs .pdf . While PDFs are best at keeping your format intact overall, the .docx format is the most accurately parsed by ATSs. So if you want to get past the ATS, use a .docx file. But also follow directions (if the listing asks for a certain file type, give it to them!) and take the posting’s word for it (if a posting says a PDF is OK, then it’s OK).

And if you’re considering using an online resume builder, first check what file type it spits out—Mahtani cautions that some online resume builders will generate your resume as an image (.jpg or .png, for example).

Pro tip: If you don’t have Microsoft Word or another program that can convert your resume to .docx or .pdf, you can use Google Docs to create your resume , then download it in either format for free.

7. Do Make Your Resume Easy to Scan (by Robots and Humans)

In addition to making sure that your resume has the right content for an applicant tracking system, you also need to make sure the ATS can make sense of that information and deliver it to the person on the other end in a readable form.

Fortunately, ATS-friendly resume formatting is very similar to recruiter-friendly resume formatting. Like a human, the ATS will read from left to right and top to bottom, so keep that in mind as you format. For example, your name and contact information should all be at the top, and your work history should start with your most recent or current position. There should be “no surprises about where info is supposed to be,” Shields says.

Among the three common resume formats you can choose from— chronological , combination , and functional —ATSs are programmed to prefer the first two. Recruiters also prefer chronological and combination formats (starting to notice a theme?). “For me, it's more about storytelling to demonstrate a person's professional progression,” Owens says. That story is harder to see with a functional resume, which can confuse applicant tracking systems, too. Without a clear work history to draw from, the software doesn’t know how to sort different sections of text.

“Ultimately recruiters just want to find the info they’re looking for as quickly as possible,” Shields says. So making a resume ATS friendly will actually help your resume be more readable to recruiters as well.

8. Don’t Include Too Much Fancy Formatting

It may pain you to hear this, but you likely need to get rid of that expensive resume template or heavily designed custom resume. “If you speak to experienced hiring managers [and] recruiters, they’ll tell you that creative [or] fancy resumes are not only harder for [an] ATS to read, but also harder for them to read!” says Mahtani.

In order to scan your resume for relevant keywords most ATSs will convert the document to a text-only file. So at best, any fancy formatting will be lost. At worst, the ATS won’t be able to pull out the important information and so a person may never lay eyes on your nice designs—or read about the experience and skills that actually qualify you for the job.

When designing a resume to go through an ATS, avoid:

• Images: In the U.S., your resume should never include your photo.
• Graphics, graphs, or other visuals
• Columns: Since ATSs are programmed to read left to right, some will read columns straight across rather than reading column one top to bottom and then starting column two at the top.
• Headers and footers: Information in the header and footer sometimes gets dropped by the ATS completely. Make sure all text is within the document body.
• Uncommon section headings: Stick to conventional labels like “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Technical Skills,” so the ATS knows how to sort your information. This is not the place to get creative with something like “Where I’ve Made an Impact.”
• Hyperlinks on important words: Some systems will display only the URL and drop the words you linked from, so don’t link from anything important (like your job title or an accomplishment). Instead, paste in the URL itself or link out from a word like “website” or “portfolio.”
• Less common fonts: Stick to a universal font like Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia, or Cambria. Avoid fonts you need to download, which the ATS may have trouble parsing.

Here are some elements you can use without tripping up an ATS:

• Underline: But stick to using underlines in headings and for URLs, Shields says. In general, people have been trained to see any underline within sentences as links.
• Colors: Just know that the ATS will return all text in the same color, so make sure your color choices aren’t vital to understanding the text of your resume.
• Bullets: Bullets are an important component of any resume, but stick to the standard circle- or square-shaped ones. Anything else could get messy.

Still not convinced that you should ditch your fancy resume? To show how formatting can trip up an ATS, we created a resume with many of the “forbidden” design elements—including columns, separate text boxes for the job seeker’s name and contact information, a table, icons, and text in the header—and used it to apply to a job at The Muse. The resume contains all the keywords found in the job posting , and since Victoria Harris is a fictional person, she hits every single requirement, making her an ideal candidate for the job.

Here’s what the resume looks like after it’s been run through an ATS:

You’ll immediately notice that the columns have been smashed together. Victoria’s current position is still first, which is good, but what comes next is an indecipherable jumble: “Education Sales Cloud Apollo.io.” Then, the ATS has combined the start date of her current job with her graduation date and interpreted that she’s been in her current position for just one month instead of over a year.

When you finally get to her bullet points, they’ve also been destroyed. Her fourth bullet, for example, now ends with: “Salesforce Analytics Cloud and Salesforce Sales Cloud Salesforce Salesforce.” Victoria wasn’t keyword stuffing, but it sure looks like she was.

Yes, this feels like a lot. But the main thing to take away when it comes to creating an ATS-friendly resume is that “it will help even if you’re not going through an ATS,” Shields says. At the end of the day, what an ATS is looking for in a resume is not that different from what a person is scanning for—so if you make a resume that beats the ATS, chances are it’ll impress a whole lot of humans, too.

You Need to Avoid These ATS Resume Formatting Mistakes

Customers Interviewed by:

Are ATS resume formatting mistakes sabotaging your chances of landing your dream job?

ATS stands for applicant tracking system . It’s computer software that most companies use today to help them organize the huge amount of applications they receive for each job opening. 

Unfortunately, many high-quality resumes get lost in the ATS, never to be seen again. Why does this happen? The problem could be as simple as incorrect resume formatting.

In this article, we’ll show you how to avoid formatting errors and write a resume that has the best chance of making it out of the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager.

The 9 most common formatting mistakes to avoid

Before you send out your resume, check to make sure it doesn’t contain one of these formatting errors that could cost you a job opportunity.

1. Not having the best date format for your resume

It may seem like a trivial matter, but having the best date format for your resume is crucial for ensuring that it’s parsed correctly.

There are two acceptable date formats. One is MM/YYYY. As in, “03/2023.” 

If you choose this date formatting, always put a “0” before single-digit months. Never use “3/2023,” for example. 

The other acceptable date format is the name of the month spelled out followed by the year, like “March 2023.”

Here’s an example of a resume using the MM/YYYY format:

Here’s an example of a resume using the “month followed by year” format:

Whichever format you choose, be consistent! Mixing up the date formats on your resume can lead to incorrect parsing. 

There’s one more thing — always use both the month and year on your resume. Only using the year can cause confusion. In fact, some ATS automatically assign a start date of January 1st to any work experience that only shows the year.

Avoid these mistakes by running your resume through a tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . It quickly points out any formatting mistakes, including incorrect date formatting, like this:

2. Unclear abbreviations and acronyms

While it may seem obvious to you what a particular abbreviation or acronym stands for, it might not be so obvious to an ATS. 

This can be a problem if you only have an abbreviation or acronym on your resume, but the hiring manager searches for the long-form version of that word. 

For example, if a hiring manager searches for “certified public accountant” and you only have “CPA” on your resume, that could cause the ATS to skip over your resume. 

That’s why it’s important to include both long-form versions of keywords and acronym versions. This will ensure that your resume will be found by employers who are searching the ATS for either term.

Here’s an example of how to do this:

Instead of saying:

“In my previous role, I led a successful ERP implementation, resulting in a 20% increase in ROI.”

You could say:

“In my previous role, I led a successful Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation, resulting in a 20% increase in Return on Investment (ROI).”

Adding the acronym or abbreviation in parenthesis after the long version will help the ATS understand your resume better, as well as human readers who may not be familiar with the abbreviation.

3. Using fancy graphics

Some job seekers try to create visually appealing resumes by using fancy graphics. But the ATS might struggle to parse them.

The key is to strike a balance between visual appeal and ATS compatibility. The best way to do this is to keep it simple. 

Instead of fancy graphics, use simple headings and bullet points to create clear sections that can easily be read. This will ensure that the ATS accurately extracts and categorizes your information.

(By the way, if you’re a Jobscan Premium user, then you have access to  Power Edit , which has six built-in ATS-friendly templates. These use columns, but they’ve been tested by our team to make sure those features are implemented properly.)

Below is an example of a resume that uses a colored font for visual pop while keeping the formatting simple and straightforward. This is actually a good strategy for adding some visual appeal while keeping your resume ATS compliant.

Always use black dot bullet points, like in the example above. Non-traditional bullet points such as stars, diamonds, and checkboxes do not always get parsed correctly by the ATS.

If you prefer using resume templates, ensure that they are designed with ATS compatibility in mind. All of Jobscan’s free resume templates are optimized for ATS scanning and avoid fancy graphics. 

4. Using headers and footers

Job seekers sometimes put additional details or design elements at the very top (header) or bottom (footer) of their resume. 

For example, the top of a resume might feature a logo, or the bottom might show page numbers (if the resume is more than one page).

Using headers and footers can cause parsing issues for ATS systems, which only focus on the content within the main body of the resume. 

Always be sure to have one-inch margins on all sides of your resume. Keep the margins clear of any text. This will make it easier for both humans and machines to read it. 

Jobscan’s resume scanner will quickly tell you if your resume has any errors regarding page setup or layout. It also provides you with a resume score that shows you how closely your resume matches the requirements on the job description. The higher your score the more likely you are to get a job interview!

5. Using a unique font

Once again, this mistake occurs when people want to personalize their resumes too much. Remember, keep it simple . 

Using a unique font(s) on your resume might be a good way to showcase your creativity, but it could mess up the ATS. 

Always choose fonts that are widely available and commonly used. We recommend the following fonts to use on your resume :

These fonts are legible, widely available, and compatible with most ATS software.

Don’t use two or more different fonts on your resume. Again, it could confuse the ATS. 

Font size doesn’t matter quite as much, but we suggest sticking to a 10 or 12-point font to make your resume look professional when it lands in the hands of the hiring manager.

There are things you can do with fonts to improve the look of your resume. You can color them, as we’ve seen, but you can also make fonts bigger, like for a section heading. You can also bold text, like in the job title. 

Here’s an example:

Thanks to the proper use of fonts, this information is presented in a way that is appealing to read. It poses no problems for an ATS, either. 

The best way to make sure your resume doesn’t have any font errors is by running it through Jobscan’s resume scanner .

6. Not using standard headings

Sometimes job seekers like to get creative with the section headings of their resumes. 

Unfortunately, when you use non-standard headings, the ATS may struggle to identify the relevant sections. They may misinterpret the content.

Here are some examples of non-standard headings: 

• “My Story” or “About Me” instead of “Summary” or “Objective”
• “Where I Excel” instead of “Skills”
• “Companies I’ve Impacted” instead of “Work Experience”
• “Education Journey” instead of “Education”
• “Certifications and Cool Stuff” instead of “Certifications” or “Training”

These headings will not only confuse the ATS, but they’ll confuse human readers too. Hiring managers are used to reading resumes that follow standardized formats. Again, keep it simple.

7. Not using the right file type

Some file formats are more ATS-friendly than others. Here are some file formats you should NOT use:

• Image Formats (e.g., .jpg, .png) 
• Rich Text Format (.rtf)  
• HTML Files (.html)  
• Microsoft Publisher (.pub) 
• Adobe InDesign (.indd) 

Here are the two file types we recommend using instead. They are very commonly used and will pose no problems for the ATS:

• Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx) – The .docx format is the newer version and is highly recommended.
• PDF (Portable Document Format) – This file format preserves the original formatting and layout of a document, regardless of the software or device used to view it. 

It’s always a good idea to check the specific requirements or preferences of the employer. Some may explicitly request resumes in PDF format, while others may prefer Word.

To make sure you’re using a file type that can be read by the ATS, use Jobscan’s resume scanner . It will tell you if there’s a problem with the way you saved your resume, like this:

8. Not proofreading your resume

How important is it to carefully proofread your resume multiple times?

Well, 77 percent of hiring managers said they would immediately reject a resume with any typos or grammatical errors!

That sounds about right. Nothing bothers hiring managers more than seeing misspelled words or too many spaces between words. It’s sloppy and unprofessional. 

Mistakes like this can also prevent your resume from being parsed correctly by the ATS in the first place. 

Proofreading is a good way to start finding mistakes, but it’s hard to catch all of them. And it only takes one mistake to seriously decrease your chances of getting a job interview.

In addition to proofreading, you can try free grammar and spell-check tools that you can find online. Here are two we recommend:

Grammarly – This popular tool offers a free version that checks for basic grammar and spelling errors. It integrates with web browsers to provide real-time suggestions and explanations of mistakes.

Hemingway Editor – This free tool focuses on improving the readability and clarity of your writing. It highlights complex sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and other elements that can affect the flow and impact of your resume. 

You can also ask someone else, such as a friend, family member, or professional colleague, to review your resume. Fresh eyes can often spot mistakes that you may have overlooked. 

You should also test the ATS compatibility of your resume by uploading it to an online ATS checker like Jobscan’s resume scanner .

This step allows you to identify any potential formatting issues and make necessary adjustments before submitting your application.

9. Treating every ATS the same way

Every ATS is different, each with its own unique design, features, and algorithms. This leads to variations in how they process and interpret resumes. 

As a result, it is crucial for job seekers to understand that tailoring their resumes to specific ATS requirements can increase their chances of success in the application process.

That’s why Jobscan’s resume scanner offers customized ATS tips based on the company you’re applying to. Learn more with this video:

How do ATS parse and analyze resumes?

When you submit your resume, it goes directly to an ATS . The first thing most ATS will do when they receive your resume is parse it.

Parsing is when the ATS extracts the work experience, skills, education, and contact information from your resume and organizes it for easy analysis.  

This allows employers to focus on the actual text of your resume, not the visuals or design aesthetic.

The extracted data is stored in the ATS database. Hiring managers search the database to find suitable job candidates by typing in keywords. 

For example, if the job is for a teacher, hiring managers will search the ATS for words like “teaching,” “classroom,” or “lesson plans”. Resumes with these keywords have a better chance of being noticed.

Unfortunately, even resumes that are perfectly tailored for the job and have all the right keywords might never be found. Why? Because these resumes contain simple formatting mistakes. 

It seems a shame that your hard work could be ruined by something so simple, but it happens all the time.

An ATS resume format is designed to be accurately read and interpreted by an applicant tracking system. When you submit your resume online, it is often processed by an ATS before it reaches the hands of a hiring manager. The ATS scans the resume for relevant keywords, qualifications, and other criteria specified by the employer, and ranks or filters the resumes based on this analysis.

Yes, using fancy fonts and graphics can indeed affect ATS resume parsing. Applicant tracking systems are designed to scan and interpret text-based resumes. When you use fancy fonts, decorative elements, or graphics, it can hinder the ATS’s ability to read and understand the content accurately.

Yes, ATS scans resumes for keywords that are related to the job requirements. These keywords describe skills, qualifications, job titles, and education. If your AI resume doesn’t contain these keywords it won’t be found by a hiring manager. That’s why it’s so important to have an ATS compatible resume . Online tools like Jobscan’s resume scanner can help you identify these keywords and add them to your resume.

The best way to know if your resume is ATS-friendly is to check it with an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . After you upload your resume and the job description to the scanner, it produces a Match Report. This report highlights the skills and keywords you should try to add to your resume.

Jobscan offers free ATS resume templates to help get you started. These professional templates are easy to use and available in a variety of formats, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Our resume builder is also ATS-friendly and is 100% free.

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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CAREER & HIRING ADVICE

The one-page resume vs. the two-page resume.

• Ryan Bradshaw
• July 30, 2024

Did you know that only two to three resumes result in a job interview? This piece of paper paves the way for a successful job application and an employment opportunity. So, you have to make the most of it to get to the next round.

However, one of the biggest resume concerns is the number of pages. A lot of job applicants usually ask: Should you opt for a one-page or a two-page resume?  

Don’t worry; This page covers the difference between a one-page and a two-page resume. Weigh the pros and cons of each to make informed decisions for your job application. 

Primary Difference Between One-page Resume and the Two-page Resume

A resume is a formal document sent to an employer or human resources (HR) for a job application. It is a summary of your professional life, including your employment experience, educational attainment, and other credentials. A resume often goes with a cover letter detailing your interest in a job posting.

Grant Aldrich, Founder of Preppy , underscores the importance of a resume, whether with one page or two pages.

Aldrich says, “As you can see, your resume must allow you to present yourself as a professional in a positive light. It can make or break the recruiters’ decision to consider you for a screening or interview.”

Many job seekers wonder if it’s better to create a one-page or a two-page resume. Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans , cites the major difference between the two.

Zhou explains, “Obviously, the main difference lies in the number of pages. However, the most critical factor is the content piece that each page could accommodate. While a one-page resume may be restrictive on your part, a two-page resume might be lengthy for the hiring reviewer.”

Let’s take a Look at the advantages and disadvantages of a one-page and two-page resume below.

One-page Resume

• Guaranteed readability: A one-page resume requires conciseness. It makes it easy for recruiters to read the entire page!
• No scanning: It lets recruiters look at your content instantly. There is no need to skim and scan for the next page!
• Data prioritization: A one-page resume lets you prioritize only key information, allowing recruiters to focus on the essentials!
• Limited space: A one-page resume might not be enough for a job applicant with tons of experience and credentials.
• Data omission: It might require you to delete relevant information and even disregard vital credentials that recruiters should know.
• Professional restriction: It might not be suitable for experienced professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds.

Two-page Resume

• Ample space: A two-page resume offers an additional page to discuss your experience, background, credentials, and other relevant information.
• Credential demonstration: A two-page resume provides a more comprehensive presentation of your knowledge, hard and soft skills , as well as abilities and competencies.
• Guaranteed accessibility: A two-page resume is ideal for all professionals, with or without extensive experience.
• Long presentation: Some recruiters might consider a two-page resume lengthy. Chances are, they might skip a page or ignore some details!
• Irrelevancy or redundancy: By drafting a two-page resume, you risk adding irrelevant or redundant information.
• Keen review: A two-page resume requires careful organization of information to promote conciseness and readability.

Choosing between the two

Now, it’s time to choose between a one-page and a two-page resume. The key here is to weigh the pros and cons of each, as discussed above. But if you’re still undecided, consider the study conducted below. ResumeGo surveyed 482 hiring professionals regarding their resume preferences in 2018.

The survey revealed that most recruiters preferred two-page resumes over one-page resumes , and they were 2.3 times more likely to choose the former over the latter.

The study consisted of recruiters, HR personnel, hiring managers, and even C-level executives. They underwent a hiring simulation tasked to screen resumes for multiple job posts. Surprisingly, they were impressed by the amount of information conveyed on two-page resumes, such as the following:

• Employment experiences
• Educational attainment
• Overall credentials

Wondering if recruiters might find reading two-page resumes a hassle? Don’t worry! 

The study also found that they are willing to read resumes that are two pages long. They indeed spend time reviewing them instead of skimming over their content.

Jonathan Feniak, General Counsel at LLC Attorney , believes a resume should contain two pages. 

He argues that “a one-page resume might restrict you from showcasing your credentials, such as work experience and academic achievement, as well as skills, competencies, and abilities.  Meanwhile, a resume with more than two pages might overwhelm the recruiters and make them lose focus on the essentials. So, sticking to a two-page resume is best!”

Best Practices for Resume Writing

At this point, you’ve learned that having a two-page resume is ideal. Keep in mind, however, that the content still matters the most. The questions are: 

• What must you include in your resume?
• How do you go about optimizing it?

Morgan Taylor, Co-Founder of Jolly SEO , recommends some best practices for resume writing. 

Taylor explains, “Aside from the number of pages, consider the resume format and content. Ask yourself: How can I demonstrate my knowledge, skills, and abilities? How will I showcase my experience and expertise? You’ve got to be strategic in your resume approach!”

Below are best practices for resume creation in terms of format, content, and other considerations.

Resume Format

The number of pages might be your biggest consideration in a resume. However, Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder & CEO at MIRA Safety , recommends focusing on the format to maximize space.

Zrazhevskiy also explains, “How you format your resume impacts its presentation and readability. These can somehow influence the recruiters’ decision-making process. Of course, you want to make a great presentation and get hired.” 

As such, Zrazhevskiy suggests the following:

• Number of pages: 2 pages
• Length: 8.5” x 11” pieces of paper
• Words: 400 to 800 words
• Typography: 
• Font type: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Helvetica
• Font size: 10-12 points for body text; 14-16 points for headings
• Line spacing: 1.0 to 1.15 for body text; slightly larger for headings
• Font style: Use bold or italic sparingly for emphasis
• Background and Layout:
• Paper color: Standard white or off-white
• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
• Alignment: Left-align all text, with some sections (e.g., contact information) possibly center-aligned for aesthetics

Content Inclusion

The content is the most important aspect of a resume. The number of pages and even the format are only secondary.

Logan Mallory, Vice President of Marketing at Motivosity , argues, “What good is your resume if it doesn’t impress the recruiters at all? No matter how visually appealing it is, they will still go after your credentials and see if they match what they’re looking for. Content is king, afterall!”

Mallory cites what you must include in a resume:

• Summary or objective: This professional summary or job goal is a declarative statement describing what job you’re looking for. Here, you express your intent to apply for a job and what you can bring to the table!
• Professional experience: This section lists your current and previous work. Include the job title, company name, date range, and job description.
• Academic achievement: This section covers your educational attainment, from elementary and high school to college and post-graduate studies. Add your school name, year of attendance, and course taken. Highlighting this information can improve your LinkedIn headline , showcasing your academic background to potential employers and networking contacts.
• Other credentials: Create sections for licenses, certification, and awards; training, courses, and workshops; as well as specialized knowledge, skills, and competencies. If you’re applying as a language trainer, for example, highlight your ancient Latin language training.
• Contact information: This section includes your phone number, email address, website, social links, and physical address. This shouldn’t be neglected so the recruiter can easily reach out to you. 
• Character reference: This part lists at least three individuals your aspiring employer can contact. It could be your previous supervisor, college professor, or others who’ve known you personally and professionally.

Best Pointers

Resume writing comes with some do’s and don’ts. Alan Parkes, Owner of Denver Roofing and Colorado Springs Roofing , had his fair share of applications when starting his home construction career.

Parkes says, “I’ve learned from my mistakes in my resume, whether format or content. The trick here is to act as a recruiter: Take a look at your resume, review the details, and assess if you will hire yourself. That simple and easy!”

As such, Parkes shares the following best practices:

• Limit personal information: Focus on highlighting your professional achievements. Your recruiter wants to see if you meet the job requirements, not your personal stories!
• Use keywords: If you apply online, incorporate keywords from the job description to make your resume friendly to the applicant tracking system (ATS).
• Have a consistent format: Consider the resume format above. If applying online, consider email protocols from the subject line to your email signature . Consistency is key! 
• Use bullet points: They allow you to present information clearly. It’s definitely best for readability!
• Maintain visual appeal: Use a simple, clean design. Please, no excessive graphics, embedded clips, or even striking colors!
• Practice KISS: As far as your content is concerned, keep it short and simple. When it comes to resumes, conciseness and brevity work!
• Declutter resume: Consider the content inclusion outlined above. Only include those that are necessary!
• Edit and proofread: Editing and proofreading your work are signs of professionalism. You don’t want to give your recruiters bad impressions because of incorrect spelling and grammar lapses.
• Customize your resume. Over 60% of recruiters expect to receive resumes tailored to their job post . Customize your resume for each and every job application. Using a template or generic resume is a big no-no!
• Be honest. Most recruiters perform background checks. You don’t want to provide incorrect or inaccurate information. Remember, honesty is the best policy!

Final Words

An effective resume can make a difference in your job application and employment opportunity. When drafting one, you have the option to write a one-page or a two-page resume. However, the question is: What should you opt for?

Consider the difference between the two, not to mention the viewpoints shared by some business experts above. Weigh the pros and cons of each to see which works best for you. If still undecided, take the presented survey by heart, as the numbers don’t lie.

More importantly, follow the best practices for resume writing. That way, you can maximize its potential to provide you with a job opportunity. Ultimately, your resume is your ticket to the world of employment—draft and craft a professional masterpiece!

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