Why This Matters

95% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS systems. 78% of resumes never reach human eyes. This guide will help you be in the 22% that get seen.

What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to filter and rank resumes before human recruiters see them. Think of it as a gatekeeper that decides if your resume is worthy of human attention.

The 5 Critical ATS Optimization Rules

1. Use Standard Section Headers

ATS-Friendly Headers

• Professional Summary (not "About Me")
• Work Experience (not "Career History")
• Education (not "Academic Background")
• Skills (not "Core Competencies")

2. Include Industry Keywords

ATS systems scan for specific keywords mentioned in the job description. Here's how to find and use them:

Copy the entire job description
Identify repeated skills, tools, and qualifications
Naturally incorporate these exact terms in your resume
Use both the full term and acronym (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")

3. Choose the Right File Format

Always submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf file. Avoid:

Images or graphics in place of text
Tables or columns that confuse ATS parsing
Unusual fonts (stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
Headers and footers with important information

4. Use Bullet Points Effectively

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and include specific achievements:

Example:

Instead of: "Responsible for managing social media"
Write: "Increased social media engagement by 150% across 5 platforms, reaching 50K+ monthly active users"

5. Include Quantifiable Results

ATS systems and humans both love numbers. Always include:

Percentages of improvement
Dollar amounts of savings/revenue
Number of people managed
Size of budgets handled
Timeline achievements

ATS-Friendly Resume Template

Optimal Resume Structure:

1. Header (Name, Phone, Email, LinkedIn, Location)
2. Professional Summary (3-4 lines)
3. Core Skills (keyword-rich)
4. Professional Experience (reverse chronological)
5. Education
6. Certifications (if relevant)

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

Resume Killers

• Using images, charts, or graphics
• Creative section names ("My Superpowers" instead of "Skills")
• Multiple column layouts
• Important info in headers/footers
• Uncommon abbreviations

Test Your Resume

Before submitting, test your resume's ATS compatibility:

Copy your resume text and paste it into a plain text document
Check if all information appears correctly
Look for formatting issues or garbled text
Use our free ATS scanner tool for detailed analysis

Complete ATS Resume Guide 2024: Beat Applicant Tracking Systems