What is an ATS Resume?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by 98% of Fortune 500 companies to filter and rank resumes before they reach human recruiters. Understanding how to optimize your resume for ATS is crucial in today's job market.

Why ATS-Friendly Resumes Matter

Studies show that 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. This means even highly qualified candidates miss opportunities simply because their resume format isn't optimized for automated screening.

Top 10 ATS Resume Tips

1. Use Standard Headings

Stick to conventional section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills." Avoid creative alternatives like "Where I've Been" or "My Journey" as ATS may not recognize them.

2. Choose the Right Keywords

Carefully read the job description and incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume. Include both the full term and acronym (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)").

3. Use Simple Formatting

Avoid tables, text boxes, headers, footers, and graphics. These elements confuse ATS parsers. Stick to a clean, single-column layout with clear section breaks.

4. Select ATS-Friendly Fonts

Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman in 10-12 point size. Avoid decorative or script fonts.

5. Save in the Correct Format

Unless specified otherwise, submit your resume as a .docx file. While PDFs preserve formatting, some older ATS struggle to parse them correctly.

6. Include Relevant Skills

Create a dedicated skills section with hard skills mentioned in the job posting. This helps ATS quickly identify your qualifications.

7. Spell Out Acronyms

Write out acronyms at least once, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. This ensures ATS recognizes both versions.

8. Avoid Unnecessary Graphics

Remove photos, logos, charts, or graphics. ATS cannot read images and may skip over important information.

9. Use Standard Bullet Points

Stick to simple round or square bullets. Avoid special characters or symbols that ATS might not recognize.

10. Proofread Carefully

Spelling errors can cause ATS to miss important keywords. Always proofread or use tools like Grammarly.

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using headers and footers for contact information
  • Submitting in unsupported file formats
  • Including tables or text boxes
  • Using unusual section headings
  • Adding images or graphics
  • Overusing keywords (keyword stuffing)

Best ATS Resume Templates

At NyasaCV, we offer 50+ ATS-optimized resume templates designed by career experts. Our templates are tested with major ATS systems including Taleo, Greenhouse, and iCIMS to ensure maximum compatibility.

How to Test Your Resume for ATS

Before submitting, test your resume by:

  1. Converting it to plain text to see how ATS reads it
  2. Using online ATS checkers
  3. Having a friend copy-paste it into a new document
  4. Reviewing it on mobile devices

Conclusion

Creating an ATS-friendly resume doesn't mean sacrificing quality or personality. By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your resume gets past automated screening while still impressing human recruiters. Start building your ATS-optimized resume today with NyasaCV's free templates!