Technology has transformed the hiring process. Gone are the days when recruiters manually sifted through piles of CVs. Today, most companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan, filter, and rank resumes before a human ever sees them.
That means one thing: if your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, it may never reach a recruiter’s desk. To stand out in today’s competitive job market, you need to know exactly how to format, structure, and optimise your resume for ATS software.
This guide covers:
- What an ATS is and how it works
- Why you need an ATS-friendly resume
- The best ATS resume format and templates
- How to optimise with keywords
- Common mistakes to avoid
Table of Contents
What Is an ATS?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It’s a software tool that helps recruiters and hiring managers organise applications, filter candidates, and speed up hiring.
Instead of manually scanning resumes, the ATS reads them and looks for:
- Keywords from the job description
- Skills and qualifications
- Work experience and titles
- Education
The system then ranks candidates based on how well their resume matches the role. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it could be rejected automatically, even if you’re highly qualified.
Why You Need an ATS-Friendly Resume
An ATS-friendly resume increases your chances of being shortlisted because:
- Recruiters often rely on ATS to filter hundreds of applicants quickly.
- Resumes that don’t match keywords or formatting may never be seen.
- ATS-friendly formatting ensures your information is actually readable by the system.
Example: If a job requires “Project Management” but your resume only says “Handled projects,” the ATS may not count it as a match. By optimising with the right keywords, you ensure your skills are picked up.
The Best ATS Resume Format
When writing for an ATS, keep it simple. Fancy designs may look great, but ATS systems often can’t read them.
Use this ATS-compliant structure:
- Contact Information – Name, phone, email, LinkedIn (avoid headers/footers).
- Professional Summary – A short pitch with keywords from the job ad.
- Work Experience – Use bullet points, start with recent jobs. Include achievements with measurable results.
- Education – Institution, degree, and dates.
- Skills Section – List both hard and soft skills directly from the job description.
Formatting rules:
- Use fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Stick to one column.
- Avoid tables, graphics, and icons.
- Save in Word (.docx) or simple PDF unless specified otherwise.
ATS Resume Templates (Free and Paid)
Many resume builders offer ATS-compliant templates. Look for:
- Clean, text-based designs
- Clear section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
- Consistent formatting and spacing
Tip: BrighterMonday offers a CV review tool that scans your resume for ATS compatibility and gives personalised feedback.
How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly
Here are the essential steps:
1. Optimise With Keywords
- Review the job description and highlight repeated words (skills, tools, job titles).
- Insert these keywords naturally into your resume.
- Use both acronyms and full forms (e.g., “SEO” and “Search Engine Optimisation”).
2. Label Sections Clearly
ATS software scans for section headers. Always use standard labels like:
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
3. Keep Formatting Simple
Avoid columns, images, and unusual symbols. ATS may skip this information.
4. Test Your Resume
Upload your CV to free ATS checkers or use the BrighterMonday CV review service to see if it passes.
5. Proofread Carefully
Grammatical errors and inconsistencies can affect both ATS parsing and recruiter impressions. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using images, logos, or infographics
- Putting contact info in headers or footers
- Overstuffing with irrelevant keywords
- Submitting in unsupported formats (e.g., JPEG, older PDFs)
- Leaving out essential job-specific skills
ATS-Friendly Resume vs Non-ATS Resume
| Element | ATS-Friendly Resume | Non-ATS Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Simple, one-column layout | Complex designs, multiple columns |
| Fonts | Standard (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) | Decorative or script fonts |
| File Type | Word (.docx) or simple PDF | JPEG scans, image-based PDFs, outdated formats |
| Graphics | None — no images, logos, or icons | Includes photos, icons, charts, or infographics |
| Section Headings | Clear and standard: Work Experience, Education, Skills | Creative headings like “My Journey” or “Where I’ve Been” that ATS can’t recognise |
| Keywords | Matches job description (skills, tools, titles) | Generic phrases that don’t align with job requirements |
| Content Readability | Easily parsed by ATS and humans | Information gets lost or misread by the ATS |
| Length | 1–2 pages, focused and relevant | Too long, unfocused, or padded with irrelevant details |
FAQ: ATS-Friendly Resumes
An ATS resume format is a clean, text-based layout that Applicant Tracking Systems can easily scan. It avoids complex formatting, images, and multiple columns that confuse the software. Instead, it uses standard fonts (Arial, Calibri), clear headings like Work Experience and Education, and bullet points to highlight achievements. Think of it as writing for both a machine and a recruiter: simple enough for the ATS to read, but detailed enough to impress the hiring manager once it reaches them.
The simplest way is to test it. Upload your CV into free ATS checker tools or services like BrighterMonday’s CV Review. These tools simulate how the ATS reads your resume and will flag issues such as unreadable fonts, missing keywords, or problematic formatting. Another quick check is to copy and paste your resume text into a plain text editor (like Notepad). If it looks disorganised or information is missing, the ATS may struggle too. An ATS-friendly resume should retain its structure and content even when stripped of formatting.
Keywords are the backbone of ATS optimisation. You should extract them directly from the job description. For example, if a role lists “Project Management, Data Analysis, and Microsoft Excel,” make sure those exact terms appear in your resume. Use variations when possible: “PM” and “Project Management,” or “Excel” and “Microsoft Excel.” Focus on hard skills, software tools, job titles, and certifications. Soft skills like “team player” are less critical for ATS, but achievements that demonstrate those qualities (e.g., “Led a 6-member cross-functional team”) are powerful.
Word (.docx) is the safest choice because all modern ATS systems can parse it without issues. Simple PDFs are usually fine too, but older ATS systems sometimes struggle with them. Unless the job posting specifies otherwise, use a Word document for maximum compatibility. If you do send a PDF, ensure it’s created as a text-based file, not an image scan, otherwise the ATS will read it as blank.
Yes, but only if the template is designed for ATS. Many flashy templates online use multiple columns, tables, or graphics that ATS can’t interpret. Stick with ATS-compliant templates: single-column, text-based, with clear section headings. These don’t just help the ATS scan your resume; they also give hiring managers a clean, professional view of your information.
Most recruiters and ATS prefer resumes between 1–2 pages. A one-page resume works best for entry-level professionals, while mid- to senior-level candidates can use two pages to showcase more experience. The key isn’t just length but relevance: keep everything targeted to the role you’re applying for. Irrelevant information adds noise and can dilute keyword matches.
In today’s digital hiring environment, writing a resume for ATS is no longer optional, it’s the standard. Applicant Tracking Systems are the first filter between you and the recruiter, and if your CV doesn’t pass, your application may never be seen, no matter how qualified you are.
An ATS-friendly resume gives you a competitive edge by making your skills discoverable. The right formatting ensures your achievements aren’t lost, while the right keywords increase your ranking against other applicants. Think of it as a two-step process: first, make your resume machine-readable by the ATS, then make it compelling for humans once it passes through.
The good news? Optimising for ATS doesn’t mean stripping away your personality, it means being strategic and precise. Use simple layouts, align your wording with the job description, and highlight measurable results that prove your impact. Pair this with continuous testing (using ATS checkers or BrighterMonday’s CV review service), and you’ll ensure your resume is future-proof.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to get past the system, it’s to get noticed, get shortlisted, and get hired. By crafting an ATS-friendly resume today, you’re not just adapting to hiring technology; you’re positioning yourself as a professional who understands how to navigate the modern job market with confidence.
