Crafting an ATS-friendly resume is the backbone of any successful job search in today's hiring market. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by most employers to quickly scan and filter applicants before a human ever sees your resume. If your document isn’t optimized, it may never reach a real recruiter—regardless of your qualifications.
This guide offers the best practices for ATS resume creation, covering formatting, keyword strategies, recommended templates, and the smartest tools for getting interview calls. Let’s explore actionable steps, proven templates, and AI-powered solutions to get your application noticed.
Why ATS Optimization Matters
ATS software parses resumes, extracting work history, education, skills, and matching those with the job requirements. Resumes that use unnecessary graphics, complex formatting, or lack the right keywords can be misread, causing strong candidates to be filtered out.
- Roughly 75% of companies use ATS in the hiring process—everyone from Fortune 500s to ambitious startups.
- Top search queries indicate users want actionable steps for making resumes ATS-friendly, from formatting to template choice to beating ATS "bots."
For more about how AI and ATS are shaping resume writing, see How AI Is Transforming Resume Writing for Modern Job Seekers.
ATS Resume Structure: What Works
Structural Best Practices
A clear format is critical for ATS readability. Here are the essentials:
- Stick to reverse-chronological order: List your most recent roles and education first, moving backward. ATS systems rely on dates and straightforward headers.
- Skip tables, headers/footers, and borders: Most ATS cannot read information in these areas, so keep all contact details and content in the main body.
- Consistent section headings: Use standard labels like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills."
Refer to guides from UIC Career Services and Ohio Northern University for formatting specifics.
- Avoid functional resumes: These focus on skills over chronology and confuse most ATS systems. Instead, choose chronological or hybrid (combining skills section with clear work history).
Formatting Pitfalls to Avoid
- Graphics and icons: ATS will skip or misinterpret images, logos, and graphic elements. Instead, use plain text and basic bullet symbols (•).
- Fancy fonts and colors: Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and black text on a white background.
- Headers, footers, and borders: These often hide key details from resume scanning tools. All essential info must be in the main text.
For detailed formatting advice, visit How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume and Adapting Resumes for ATS.
- Choose the right file type: While PDF is becoming more supported, Word (.doc or .docx) is usually the safest bet for ATS compatibility. Check job posting instructions for specific requirements.
For more on formatting strategies, check Resume Formatting for Applicant Tracking Systems: Best Practices.
Crafting an ATS Resume: Keyword Optimization
Keyword optimization is at the heart of passing ATS screens. These systems compare your resume language directly to job descriptions, looking for specific terms.
Effective Keyword Strategies
- Analyze the job description: Identify repeated skills, job titles, certifications, and software. List both "hard skills" (e.g., Python, ERP) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership).
- Match exact phrases: If a posting says "leadership experience," use it in your document—don’t just say "team manager."
- Use both acronyms and full terms: For example: “ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)” or “CRM (Customer Relationship Management)”. This ensures the ATS finds the right matches regardless of how the employer’s system scans.
For advanced strategies, see Keyword-Rich Optimized CV Tips: Boost Your Resume for ATS & Recruiters.
Placement and Frequency
- Weave keywords naturally: Aim for 3-5 mentions of high-priority terms throughout relevant sections like Work Experience, Skills, and Summary.
- Avoid keyword stuffing: Do not randomly repeat keywords—this can penalize your score.
To maximize keyword alignment, see Automated Resume Keyword Matcher: Boost ATS Success.
The Best Templates and Formats for ATS Success
ATS-Approved Resume Templates
Choose templates designed to be ATS-compliant. Top features include:
- Clean, simple layout: No graphics, combo sections, or fancy design.
- Defined, labeled sections: Work history, skills, certifications, education.
- Bullet points for achievements: Structure each role with accomplishment-focused statements that include measurable impact.
Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates (How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume) and university career centers offer excellent starting points.
- Reverse-chronological: Universally recommended for ATS and recruiters.
- Hybrid style: Combines a short skills summary with a clear chronological history. Avoid functional-only layouts.
Discover more template options in Best Free ATS-Friendly Templates for Job Winning Resumes and Resume Template Guide: ATS-Optimized Designs for 2024.
Tools and Technology for ATS Resume Building
Why CraftedCV Leads for ATS Optimization
Among the available tools, CraftedCV stands out for several reasons:
- One-Click Resume Tailoring: Instantly adjusts any resume to match a job description, saving hours on manual editing.
- ATS Optimization: Integrates the right keywords and ensures recruiter-friendly structure, so your document clears ATS and stands out to recruiters.
- AI-Powered Matching: Advanced AI pinpoints needed skills, experiences, and terms for ATS and human readers alike.
- Efficiency: Streamlines the resume process, perfect for applying to multiple jobs quickly.
- No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing—get premium features without unwanted upselling or upgrade pressure.
- Clean, Professional Templates: Formats designed for both ATS clarity and human appeal, available for Word and PDF.
- Modern User Interface: Fast, intuitive, and removes the hassle often found with other platforms.
- Competitive Focus: Built for job-to-resume matching, not just generic editing—giving it an edge over tools like Rezi or Enhancv.
For a full comparison and guide, read: Best ATS Resume Builder for Professionals: Top Tools & Strategies and Online Resume Maker: Build ATS-Friendly, Standout Resumes Fast.
Explore AI-Powered Tools for ATS-Friendly Resumes: 2025 Guide for the latest technology and feature comparisons.
Free ATS Screening and Keyword Tools
Several platforms let you check your resume's ATS performance before sending applications:
- Jobscan: Scan your resume against a job description and receive a detailed match report. (How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume)
- TopResume: Get a free scan for common formatting and keyword issues. (How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume)
- CraftedCV: With one-click matching and built-in screening, CraftedCV makes it easy to spot and fix weak areas fast.
For a side-by-side comparison, see ATS-Friendly Resume Scanning Software: Top Features, Best Tools & Optimization Tips.
Practical Steps: How to Create Your ATS Resume
- Select an ATS-friendly template: Start with a reverse-chronological or hybrid format.
- Insert sections in a logical order: Summary, Skills, Work Experience (latest first), Education, Certifications.
- Paste the job description into a keyword tool(such as Jobscan or CraftedCV) and list top repeated words or requirements.
- Integrate matching keywords: Within your summary, skills, and job bullets, reference the precise phrases from the posting.
- Describe accomplishments with specifics: Instead of listing tasks, emphasize outcomes using numbers (increased sales by 30%, led a team of 8).
- Save and export in Word (.docx) unless the job posting requests PDF specifically.
- Test your resume: Use a free ATS checker or CraftedCV’s assessment tools before you apply.
Learn more in Build Your Resume: Proven Steps, Expert Tools & ATS Optimization and Resume Keyword Optimization Tools: ATS Success Made Simple.
Common ATS Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Tables splitting text or combining multiple sections.
- Using images, graphics, or icons.
- Inconsistent dates, missing section headers, or non-standard labels.
- Neglecting to individualize each resume for the target job.
Explore more in ATS-Compliant Resumes: Key Strategies, Tools, and Pitfalls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do ATS systems work with resumes?
ATS software analyzes imported resumes to extract relevant information, including work history, education, and skills. The system then compares this data to the job requirements and ranks or filters applicants based on keyword and layout matches.
What resume keywords should I use for ATS?
Focus on keywords directly from the job posting—skills, job titles, certifications, and any required technologies. Use both acronyms and full titles to improve your chances of making a match.
Are graphics, tables, or design elements safe to use in ATS resumes?
Most ATS software cannot reliably read graphics, images, icons, or content inside tables. Stick to straightforward text formatting and basic bullet points for the best outcomes.
What’s the difference between reverse-chronological and hybrid resumes?
A reverse-chronological resume lists your work experience from most recent to oldest. A hybrid format starts with a short skill summary but still maintains a chronological work section. For ATS, both are preferable to functional resumes.
Is it better to submit a resume in PDF or Word format?
Word documents (.doc or .docx) are typically safest for ATS, though some modern systems accept PDFs. Always check the application instructions before deciding.
How can I check if my resume is ATS optimized?
Use tools such as Jobscan, TopResume, or CraftedCV to scan your resume against a job description. These platforms highlight missing keywords, formatting issues, and section placement errors.
Why is keyword placement important in an ATS resume?
ATS systems look for keywords in specific sections—Summary, Skills, Work Experience. Placing keywords in these areas increases the chance your resume will be recognized as a match.
Which resume builder is best for ATS-friendly resumes?
CraftedCV leads the market because of its one-click tailoring, accurate keyword matching, and clean designs that appeal to both ATS and human recruiters.
Should I customize my resume for every job application?
Tailoring your resume for each job dramatically improves ATS matches and interview chances by using the specific keywords, skills, and requirements from the job description.
Where can I find free ATS-friendly resume templates?
You can find free ATS-friendly templates on platforms like Jobscan, university career centers, and with tools like CraftedCV, which offers professional layouts designed for both ATS compliance and recruiter appeal.