How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume in 2024

More than 75% of job applications are rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS) before a human ever sees them. To land more interviews, you need to create a resume that can pass these automated gatekeepers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you exactly how to format and optimize your resume for ATS in 2024.

What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications. These systems help employers manage high volumes of applicants efficiently. When you submit your resume, the ATS will:

• Parse your resume data into categories (skills, experience, education, etc.)
• Scan for keywords that match the job description
• Rank your application based on how well it matches the job requirements
• Filter out candidates who don't meet minimum qualifications

Only resumes that score highly enough will pass through to human recruiters. That's why optimizing your resume for ATS has become essential in today's job market.

Key Elements of an ATS-Friendly Resume Format

1. Choose a Simple Resume Layout

Complex designs with multiple columns, graphics, text boxes, and unusual formatting can confuse ATS software. Follow these formatting guidelines:

• Use a single-column layout with clearly defined sections
• Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and images
• Use standard section headings (e.g., "Work Experience" instead of "Where I've Made an Impact")
• Apply simple, consistent formatting for section headers
• Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman

2. Use the Right File Format

Unless the job posting specifically requests another format, submit your resume as a .docx (Microsoft Word) file. While PDFs maintain formatting better, some older ATS systems can't properly parse them. The .docx format is widely compatible with most ATS software.

3. Include ATS-Friendly Section Headers

Use standard section headers that ATS systems can easily recognize:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Professional Profile
• Work Experience (or Professional Experience)
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications (if applicable)

Avoid creative headers like "Where I've Worked" or "My Learning Journey" as these may confuse the ATS.

4. Optimize Contact Information

Format your contact information clearly at the top of the resume:

• Full name (larger font size than the rest of your contact info)
• Phone number (standard format with hyphens: 555-555-5555)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn URL (optional but recommended)
• Location (city and state/province is sufficient; full address not necessary)

Keywords: The Heart of ATS Optimization

Keywords are the most crucial element for passing ATS screens. These are specific terms related to the job requirements, skills, and qualifications that employers are looking for.

How to Identify the Right Keywords

• Analyze the job description: Highlight skills, qualifications, responsibilities, and industry terminology mentioned
• Check multiple similar job postings: Identify common keywords across listings in your target role
• Research industry terminology: Include relevant industry-specific jargon, certifications, and technical skills
• Look at LinkedIn profiles: Study profiles of people who hold your target position

Keyword Placement and Usage

Once you've identified relevant keywords, strategically incorporate them throughout your resume:

• Include the most important keywords in your professional summary
• Create a dedicated skills section with key technical and soft skills
• Naturally integrate keywords into your work experience descriptions
• Use exact matches of keywords (if the job asks for "project management," don't just use "managing projects")
• Include keywords in context by demonstrating how you've applied those skills

Important: While keywords are crucial, avoid "keyword stuffing" – adding keywords excessively or out of context. Modern ATS solutions can detect this tactic, and even if you pass the ATS, human recruiters will be put off by unnatural language.

Optimizing Your Work Experience for ATS

Your work experience section requires special attention for ATS optimization:

Proper Formatting

• List positions in reverse-chronological order (most recent first)
• Include company name, location, job title, and dates (MM/YYYY format)
• Use bullet points rather than paragraphs for achievements
• Start bullets with strong action verbs (managed, developed, implemented, etc.)

Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties

While including keywords, focus on quantifiable achievements rather than just listing responsibilities:

• Use metrics and percentages to demonstrate impact
• Follow the "what, how, result" formula for bullets
• Incorporate relevant keywords naturally within achievement statements

Example with keywords bolded:

"Led cross-functional team of 8 to implement new customer relationship management (CRM) system, resulting in 35% improved sales pipeline management and 28% increase in customer retention."

Creating an Effective Skills Section

The skills section is crucial for ATS optimization and should include:

• Hard skills (technical abilities specific to your industry)
• Soft skills (interpersonal abilities like communication and leadership)
• Industry-specific keywords and tools
• Proficiency levels (if relevant and truthful)

Skills Section Format Options

Consider these ATS-friendly options for formatting your skills:

1. Simple list: The most ATS-friendly approach is a simple, comma-separated list of skills under a "Skills" heading
2. Categorized skills: Group skills into categories like "Technical Skills," "Soft Skills," and "Industry Knowledge"

Testing Your Resume for ATS Compatibility

After creating your ATS-optimized resume, it's important to test how well it will perform:

1. Use an ATS resume scanner: Tools like ResumeAnalyzer.ai can help you test your resume against ATS systems
2. Compare with the job description: Check if your resume includes at least 60% of the keywords and requirements
3. Review parsed content: Some job application systems will show you how your resume was parsed - review this for accuracy

ATS-Friendly Resume Checklist

• Simple, single-column layout with clean formatting
• Standard section headers
• .docx file format (unless otherwise specified)
• No headers, footers, text boxes, or images
• Standard, readable font (10-12pt size)
• Targeted keywords incorporated naturally throughout
• No tables or complex formatting
• Contact information clearly presented at the top
• Reverse chronological work history with company names, titles, and dates
• Skills section with relevant technical and soft skills
• Proper spelling and grammar (ATS systems may flag errors)

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting images or PDFs with images: ATS systems cannot read text in images
• Using headers/footers: Many ATS systems ignore content in headers and footers
• Creative layouts: Multiple columns and text boxes confuse ATS parsing
• Non-standard section headings: Stick with conventional headings
• Keyword stuffing: Adding too many keywords unnaturally
• Submitting without customization: Always tailor your resume for each job application

Beyond the ATS: The Human Review

Remember that ultimately, your resume needs to impress human readers. Once your resume passes the ATS:

• Ensure your resume tells a cohesive career story
• Keep it concise and impactful (typically 1-2 pages)
• Make sure achievements stand out with quantifiable results
• Ensure perfect spelling and grammar
• Consider the 6-second scan test - what stands out at first glance?

Conclusion

Creating an ATS-friendly resume is essential in today's competitive job market. By following the guidelines in this article, you'll significantly increase your chances of getting past the automated gatekeepers and into the hands of human recruiters.

Remember the key principles: keep formatting simple, include relevant keywords throughout your resume, and present your experience in a clear, achievement-focused way. With these strategies, you'll maximize your chances of landing interviews and advancing your career.

For more personalized feedback, try our AI Resume Analyzer to get detailed insights on how your resume performs against ATS systems and recommendations for improvement.