How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume That Gets Shortlisted

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. Here's how to make sure yours isn't one of them.

What is an ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It's software that companies use to automatically scan, filter, and rank resumes before a recruiter sees them.

When you apply online, your resume usually goes through an ATS first. If your resume doesn't match the job description well enough, it gets filtered out — no matter how qualified you are.

How ATS Systems Work

ATS systems look for:

• Keywords — specific words from the job description
• Job titles — matching your titles to what they're looking for
• Skills — exact skill names mentioned in the JD
• Formatting — clean, parseable text (no tables, images, columns)
• Dates — properly formatted work history

7 Rules for an ATS-Friendly Resume

1. Use a Simple, Clean Format

Avoid fancy designs with columns, tables, headers/footers, text boxes, or images. ATS systems often can't read these properly and your content gets lost.

2. Mirror the Job Description Keywords

Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills, tools, and phrases they use. Then use those exact words in your resume.

Example: If the JD says "React.js developer", don't just write "React" — write "React.js". ATS systems often match exact strings.

3. Use Standard Section Headings

Don't get creative with section names. ATS systems look for standard headings:

• ✅ "Work Experience" or "Experience" (not "My Journey")
• ✅ "Education" (not "Academic Background")
• ✅ "Skills" (not "What I Know")
• ✅ "Projects" (not "Things I've Built")

4. Include Both Acronyms and Full Forms

Write both the acronym and the full form to cover all keyword variations:

5. Use Bullet Points, Not Paragraphs

ATS systems parse bullet points much better than dense paragraphs. Each bullet should start with a strong action verb.

6. Save as PDF (Usually)

Most modern ATS systems handle PDFs well. However, if the job application specifically asks for a Word document (.docx), use that instead. When in doubt, PDF is safer.

7. Don't Use Headers or Footers

Many ATS systems can't read content inside headers and footers. Put your contact information in the main body of the resume.

Applying in the US specifically? See our US resume builder guide for what Workday, Taleo, and iCIMS expect beyond general ATS rules.

How to Check Your ATS Score

The best way to know if your resume will pass ATS is to check it against the specific job description you're applying for. ResumeOrbitz has a built-in ATS score checker — paste the job description and it instantly tells you:

• Your match score (0–100)
• Keywords you're missing
• Keywords you already have
• Specific suggestions to improve your score

Starting from a template that already follows these rules is faster than fixing one after the fact — see our hand-picked ATS-friendly resume templates.

ATS Checklist Before You Apply

• ✅ Single column layout
• ✅ Standard section headings
• ✅ Keywords from the JD included
• ✅ No tables, columns, or text boxes
• ✅ Contact info in body (not header/footer)
• ✅ Standard fonts only
• ✅ Saved as PDF
• ✅ ATS score checked against the JD