Resume writing
How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume
By the MyResumeExpert Team · Updated October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
Most medium and large employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to receive applications, store resumes and help recruiters search them. An ATS-friendly resume is simply one that these systems can read accurately, so your experience shows up correctly when a recruiter looks for candidates.
You do not need tricks to "beat" an ATS. You need a clear structure, readable formatting and the right words. Here is how.
How applicant tracking systems read your resume
- Parsing: the system extracts the text from your file and tries to sort it into fields such as name, contact details, job titles, employers, dates, education and skills.
- Storing: your parsed profile is saved in the employer’s database, often alongside your original file.
- Searching and filtering: recruiters search the database by job title, skills, location or qualifications, and some systems rank applications against the job description.
- Human review: a recruiter reads the resumes that look most relevant. Formatting that survived parsing makes this step easier too.
Problems happen at the parsing step. If the system misreads your layout, your experience can end up in the wrong field, or not be found at all.
ATS formatting rules
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Single-column layout for online portals | Complex tables, text boxes and multi-column grids |
| Standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills | Creative headings like "Where I’ve made an impact" |
| Text-based PDF or DOCX | Scanned PDFs, images or text inside graphics |
| Contact details in the main body | Contact details only in the header or footer |
| Common fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Inter or Georgia | Decorative fonts and icons in place of words |
| Consistent dates such as "Mar 2023 – Present" | Mixed date formats or years without months for recent jobs |
Our ATS-friendly resume templates follow these rules, and every template exports real, selectable text.
Use the right keywords
Recruiters search for skills, tools, certifications and job titles. To make sure your resume is found:
- Mirror the exact wording of the job posting: write "Project management" if that is what the posting says, not only "PM".
- Include both the full term and the abbreviation the first time: "Search engine optimization (SEO)".
- Use the job title from the posting in your summary when it truthfully describes you.
- Place keywords in context, inside bullet points that show results, not just in a list.
- Never copy the whole job description or hide white text on the page: recruiters see through it and it damages trust.
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Structure your sections clearly
For each job, keep the same order so the parser can connect titles, employers and dates: Job title, Employer, Location, Dates, followed by bullet points. Put education and certifications in their own sections with the qualification, institution and year.
A reverse-chronological format is the safest structure because it matches how applicant tracking systems expect experience to be ordered.
ATS resume checklist
- Single column, or a layout you have tested
- Standard section headings
- Name and contact details in the body of the page
- Job title, employer and dates for every role
- Keywords from the job posting, used in context
- Text-based PDF or DOCX, under a few megabytes
- No important information inside images, icons or charts
- File named FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf
Tip: Test before you apply. Our free ATS resume checker shows the text a parser extracts from your file and flags layout, section and wording issues. It works with resumes in any language.
Common ATS myths
- "An ATS automatically rejects 75% of resumes." There is no reliable evidence for this figure. Many rejections are made by people, often because the resume does not show the required experience clearly.
- "You need a plain text resume." A well-structured PDF or DOCX with real text is read correctly by modern systems.
- "You must hit a keyword score." Keywords matter for search, but recruiters still read your resume. Write for people first, and make sure the right terms are present.
Frequently asked questions
- What is an ATS-friendly resume?
- A resume that applicant tracking systems can read accurately: clear structure, standard headings, real text in a PDF or Word file, and the skills and job titles employers search for.
- Are PDF resumes ATS-friendly?
- Yes, if the PDF contains real, selectable text. A scanned PDF or a PDF made of images cannot be read by an ATS.
- Can an ATS read two-column resumes?
- Many can, but some read columns in the wrong order. For large online job portals a single-column layout is the safer choice; for direct applications two columns are usually fine.
- How do I check if my resume is ATS-friendly?
- Upload it to a free ATS resume checker. It shows what text a parser extracts and highlights formatting, section and keyword issues to fix.
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