Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by most mid-size and large companies to screen resumes before a recruiter ever sees them. If your resume isn't built with ATS in mind, it might be rejected before you get a real shot. The good news: a few simple changes can dramatically improve your odds.
How ATS Works (In Simple Terms)
ATS software parses your resume into structured data—job titles, skills, dates, education—and scores it against the job description. Resumes that don't parse well (weird formatting, images, complex tables) or that lack matching keywords often get filtered out. Your goal is to be both human-readable and machine-readable.
Formatting That ATS Can Read
- Use standard section headings: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills." Avoid "Where I've Been" or graphics as headers.
- Stick to common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia) and avoid text in headers, footers, or text boxes.
- Save as a .docx or .pdf. Some older ATS handle PDFs poorly; if in doubt, .docx is safest.
- No images, charts, or logos in the body. ATS can't read them and may corrupt the parse.
- Use bullet points and simple lists. Avoid multi-column layouts that can scramble the reading order.
Keywords Without Keyword Stuffing
- Mirror the job description. If they ask for "Unity," "C#," and "gameplay systems," use those exact terms where true. Don't invent skills you don't have.
- Spread keywords across the resume—in your summary, job bullets, and skills section. One dense block looks like stuffing.
- Include common variations: "JavaScript" and "JS," "User Experience" and "UX," "Version control" and "Git."
What Often Breaks the Parse
- Tables (for layout or skills). Use simple lists instead.
- Special characters or symbols (arrows, checkmarks) that don't export cleanly.
- Multiple columns (e.g. two-column layout). Single column is safest.
The Bottom Line
Optimize for ATS so your resume gets to a human; then make sure it still reads well. A resume that passes the bot but bores the recruiter won't get you the job. Balance both.