ATS-Friendly Resume: Complete Guide

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan and filter resumes before they reach human eyes.

What is an ATS?

ATS helps companies manage job applications by scanning resumes for keywords, parsing information, and ranking candidates.

Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman.

Use standard section headers

Avoid columns, tables, and graphics

Use bullet points instead of paragraphs

Save as .docx or PDF

Font size: 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headers

Margins: 0.5-1 inch

Line spacing: 1.0-1.5

Identify key skills from job descriptions

Include exact phrases from job postings

Use acronyms and full forms

Strategic placement in summary and experience

Fancy graphics or images

Unusual fonts or formatting

Headers and footers

Tables or columns

Colorful designs

Your goal is to create a resume that both ATS and human recruiters can easily read and understand.