ATS-Friendly Resume: What It Is and How to Make One

You’ve sent dozens of job applications, but you’re still not getting responses. The problem might not be your skills — it could be your resume format.

Most companies today use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan resumes before a human recruiter even sees them. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it may get filtered out automatically — even if you’re highly qualified.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• ✅ What an ATS-friendly resume is
• ✅ Why it’s essential for job seekers in 2025
• ✅ How to format and write one step by step
• ✅ Mistakes to avoid so your resume makes it to the recruiter’s desk

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What Is an ATS-Friendly Resume?

An ATS-friendly resume is a resume designed to be easily read and processed by Applicant Tracking Systems.

These systems scan resumes for keywords, formatting, and structure to decide if you’re a good match for the job description.

If your resume has unusual fonts, images, or poor formatting, the ATS might:

• Fail to read your details correctly
• Miss important keywords
• Reject your resume before a recruiter reviews it

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Why ATS-Friendly Resumes Matter

Did you know that over 95% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software? Even small businesses rely on it to save time.

Without an ATS-friendly resume, you risk:

• ❌ Getting rejected before a recruiter even sees your application
• ❌ Losing out to candidates with the same skills but better resume formatting
• ❌ Wasting hours applying with no results

But with the right structure, your resume will:

• ✅ Pass ATS filters and reach hiring managers
• ✅ Highlight relevant skills with proper keywords
• ✅ Boost your chances of landing interviews

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Key Features of an ATS-Friendly Resume

Here are the must-have elements of an ATS-ready resume in 2025:

1. Simple Layout – No complex designs, images, or graphics
2. Standard Fonts – Use fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
3. Clear Headings – "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills" (avoid creative names)
4. Keywords from Job Description – Match skills and qualifications recruiters look for
5. Reverse-Chronological Format – List latest job first, then older ones
6. Bullet Points for Clarity – Easy to scan and parse
7. Standard File Type – Save as .docx or PDF (if allowed)

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How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume

Follow these step-by-step tips to build a resume that clears ATS filters:

1. Use a Clean Resume Template

Avoid templates with graphics, tables, or multiple columns. Stick to text-based layouts.
👉 Tip: Resumeily provides FREE ATS-approved templates that look professional and pass screening.

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2. Optimize with Keywords

ATS software scans for keywords from the job description.

• Find the most common terms (skills, tools, certifications).
• Use them naturally in your work experience and skills sections.

Example:

• Job Description: “Project management, Agile, Jira”
• Resume: “Managed Agile teams using Jira to deliver projects 20% faster.”

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3. Use Standard Section Headings

Stick to conventional headings:

• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Contact Information

Unusual headings like “My Journey” or “Career Story” may confuse ATS software.

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4. Write with Action Verbs

Show impact with strong action verbs:

• Led, Built, Increased, Implemented, Managed, Designed, Delivered

❌ Weak: “Responsible for sales team”
✅ Strong: “Led a 10-person sales team, boosting revenue by 25%.”

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5. Avoid Fancy Formatting

Don’t use:

• Tables, columns, text boxes
• Logos, icons, or profile pictures
• Decorative fonts or background colors

These can break ATS parsing. Stick to plain text with bold headings.

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6. Save in the Right File Format

• Use .docx (universally accepted)
• PDF is fine only if allowed in the job posting
• Avoid image-based resumes

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Common ATS Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the biggest mistakes that prevent resumes from passing ATS:

• ❌ Using creative templates with graphics or two columns
• ❌ Forgetting to include relevant keywords
• ❌ Using non-standard headings (e.g., “Expertise Timeline”)
• ❌ Overloading with irrelevant details
• ❌ Saving as an image-based PDF

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Example of ATS-Friendly Resume Format

Contact Info
Name | Phone | Email | LinkedIn

Professional Summary
2–3 lines highlighting your experience, skills, and career goals.

Work Experience

• Job Title | Company | Dates
• Bullet points with achievements, using keywords and action verbs

Education

• Degree | School | Year

Skills

• List of 8–12 relevant skills (software, technical, and soft skills)

Certifications

• Any relevant industry certifications

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ATS-Friendly Resume Checklist

Before sending out your resume, check these boxes ✅:

• [ ] Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• [ ] Clear headings (Work Experience, Skills, Education)
• [ ] Relevant keywords from job description
• [ ] Achievements written with action verbs
• [ ] Simple, one-column layout
• [ ] File saved as .docx or approved format

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Final Thoughts: Master the ATS, Land More Interviews

An ATS-friendly resume doesn’t mean boring — it means optimized for visibility. By following the tips above, you’ll make sure your resume:

• Passes ATS filters
• Highlights your best qualifications
• Gets seen by real recruiters

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Build an ATS-Friendly Resume Instantly

Want to skip the guesswork? With Resumeily, you can create a professional, ATS-friendly resume in minutes. Our templates are recruiter-tested and designed to pass any Applicant Tracking System.

👉 Create My ATS-Friendly Resume — Free

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