What is an ATS-friendly resume?

An Applicant Tracking System or ATS-friendly resume is a resume designed to be easily read and processed by Applicant Tracking Systems. These systems are software tools used by employers to manage and streamline the hiring process. ATS software scans and parses resumes to identify keywords, skills, and qualifications that match the job description, filtering out less relevant applications before they reach human recruiters. Creating an ATS-optimized resume involves adhering to specific formatting and content guidelines to ensure your resume is not discarded by the system.

How does an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) work?

Online job boards like Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn have made it easy to submit resumes. All it takes is a few clicks of your mouse. While this may seem like a good thing for job seekers like you, it actually makes your resume stand out less. This is because hiring managers and recruiters simply don’t have the time or resources to look at the hundreds and even thousands of resumes they receive for each job opening. To solve this problem, most businesses now automate the process of reviewing resumes and applications with the help of an ATS. An ATS is a computer software program that manages the hiring process. It does this by collecting and sorting thousands of applicants’ resumes.

How to create an ATS-optimized resume

When you apply for a job online, your resume typically goes directly into an ATS database. The problem is, if your resume isn’t optimized for an ATS, it might never be seen by a hiring manager.

There are two reasons for this:

Your resume is not formatted correctly and the ATS can’t read it.
Your resume doesn’t contain what a hiring manager is looking for defined in its system.

Resume builders like Truepath.ai’s generate ATS-optimized resumes tailored to your job description, ensuring proper formatting and keyword integration for maximum impact. This kind of resume has a much better chance of making it into the hands of a hiring manager, leading to more job interviews and offers.

When to use an ATS-friendly resume vs. attractive resume

Use an ATS-friendly resume when applying to larger companies or organizations known to use ATS. These systems prioritize resumes that are easy to parse, focusing on keywords, standard headings, and simple formatting. This type of resume ensures your application passes the initial electronic screening process.

Consider using a more visually attractive resume when applying to creative roles or smaller companies where human recruiters are likely to review resumes directly. This version can incorporate more design elements and colors to showcase creativity and stand out visually.

How to enhance your resume for ATS in 3 steps

Optimizing your resume for an ATS is a 3-step process.

Identify the job title and required experience.
Identify the essential job listing keywords and incorporate them into your resume.
Format your resume correctly.

Before we go into more detail, you should know an ATS resume is not a resume that you use to submit to every job you apply to.

Online job boards like Indeed make it easy to submit the same resume, again and again and again. But you’ll get better results if you tailor each and every resume to the specific position you’re applying for.

Isn’t this more time-consuming? Yes, but it’s also more effective. And there are ways to speed up this process with automated tools like Truepath.ai’s resume builder, which has the ability to customize your resume to every job listing.

Now, since the ATS-friendly resume you’ll be creating is tailored for a specific job, you’ll need to have the description of that job in front of you.

1. Identify the job title or required experience and add it to your resume heading or title.

First check the very top of the job posting. This is where you’ll find the job title or required experience you’ll need. Here’s an example:

Let’s say you want to apply to a Senior Sales Manager job. On your resume, try to include the keywords “Senior Manager” and “Sales” in your Summary section or simply as keywords below your name in the header.

It’s important to include the keywords “Senior Manager” and “Sales” because a hiring manager will likely type those exact same keywords into an ATS when they search for suitable candidates.

Now that you’ve got your resume Summary and/or Header optimized for the ATS, it’s time to write the rest of your resume.

2. Identify the essential job listing keywords

The next step is to carefully read through the rest of the job description and highlight the skills, or keywords, that appear most often.

These are usually hard skills. Hard skills are specific abilities based on experience and training. Examples of hard skills include technical writing, data analysis, graphic design, project management, Python, Java, and Salesforce.

For example, here’s a resume for a Product Marketing job description with one of the most important skills highlighted – “marketing.” This keyword needs to feature prominently in your resume if you hope to land a job interview.

The point is to use the same language on your resume that the hiring manager used in the job description. Not only will this help your resume stand out, it’s important because many ATS systems cannot differentiate between synonyms, abbreviations, or similar skills.

For example, if you have experience in “customer service” but the job description asks for “customer support,” your resume may not make it to the next round.

It’s also important to include both long-form versions of keywords and acronym versions. Let’s say you are a certified public accountant (CPA). You should try to include both “certified public accountant” and “CPA” on your resume.

This will ensure that your resume will be found by employers who are searching the ATS for either term.

3. Format your ATS resume correctly

The final thing you need to do is to make sure the formatting of your resume is ATS-friendly. After all, if the ATS can’t read your information properly, it’s unlikely a hiring manager will find your resume.

Many job seekers want their resumes to look visually appealing. This might seem like a good idea, but graphic design elements can confuse the ATS.

Your best bet is to stick to a simple design that’s easy to read.

Follow these tips so your resume can be properly read by an ATS:

Use simple, clear language. Using jargon or overly complicated language will just confuse the system.
Stick to traditional resume section headers like “Education” and “Experience.” Avoid more creative headers like “Where I’ve Been.”
Use a common, easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for optimal readability.
Make sure your margins are 1 inch on all sides so your resume doesn’t look crowded.
Avoid using unnecessary graphics or embellishments. They can make your resume appear unprofessional and could confuse the ATS.
Avoid using special characters or symbols that the system might misinterpret.
Save your resume as a Word document or a PDF, as both may be acceptable for an ATS system. If a job listing asks you to upload your resume and ‘PDF’ is listed among the acceptable file formats, feel free to send a PDF. If it doesn’t specify, it’s best to upload a Word document in .doc or .docx because this is the easiest format to review.

When complete, check every resume you send out to make sure it’s formatted correctly. It’s no exaggeration to say that only one small mistake can ruin your chances of getting a job interview.

Don’t forget, Truepath.ai’s resume builder speeds up this process by automating all of this for you.

Use an ATS-optimized resume builder

Trying to format a resume can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the different types of resumes and the importance of using an ATS-friendly resume template and tactics.

This is why Truepath.ai offers ATS-friendly resumes to help you. These professional templates are easy to use and available in a variety of formats, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. These use columns, but they’ve been tested by our team to make sure those features are implemented properly. In addition to ATS-optimized templates, Truepath.ai incorporates the keywords and in-demand skills directly from the job listing into your resume, ensuring your best chance of getting past the ATS and on a hiring manager’s desk.

Remember, an ATS works like this:

When you submit your resume, it goes directly into the company’s ATS.
The ATS analyzes your resume and stores it in a database.
Hiring managers search the ATS database for resumes that match the qualifications they’re looking for.

Basically, ATS enables hiring managers to cherry-pick candidates without looking through every single resume. This is great for employers, but hard on job seekers. But don’t despair. If you understand how they work and know when to use tools to help automate the hard parts like matching keywords, making your resumes work with ATS won’t be difficult.

How do recruiters use ATS to find candidates?

Most of the time, recruiters search for candidates using keywords. These keywords are usually job titles or specific skills.

For example, if a recruiter is searching for a software engineer, they would type “software engineer” into the ATS search bar. Or maybe a recruiter needs someone who has “graphic design” skills. So they would type the keyword “graphic design” into the ATS.

Searches often include multiple keywords. An example would be “administrative assistant” plus “Microsoft Excel” plus “PowerPoint.” A resume must contain all three of these keywords to show up in an ATS search.

If your resume does not include the keywords recruiters are searching for, it will remain in the ATS database, unseen.

Tools like Truepath.ai’s resume builder will help you optimize your resume for each job you apply to by making sure it contains the right keywords for the in-demand skills the job requires.

What is a match rate and how can you increase it?

Sometimes it’s not enough to simply include important keywords in your resume (although that’s a great start).

Many ATS automatically compare your entire resume to the job description. This includes all of your work experience, education, qualifications, and skills.

Recruiters can then sort applicants based on how well they “match” the job description. If your resume doesn’t have a high enough match rate, the recruiter might not consider you for the role.

If you want to receive a high match rate, follow these three steps to make sure your entire resume is as relevant and targeted as possible:

First, take a close look at the job description. Identify the key skills, qualifications, and experience that are required.
Then, take a look at your own resume and see how well you match up. If there are any areas where you’re lacking, try to add relevant experiences or qualifications (but only if you really have that experience).
Finally, don’t forget to use keywords throughout your resume. But don’t overuse them! Your resume should always remain readable and authentic to your actual qualifications.

You should also be aware that there’s more than one type of ATS. Each type determines the match rate differently. Some popular ATS include Greenhouse and Taleo.

For example, some ATS software recognizes plural versions of keywords while others do not. Knowing which ATS you’re dealing with can change how you create your resume. While it’s not easy to find the exact system an employer is using , here are some general considerations:

Use standard formatting: Stick to simple, clean formats with clear headings and consistent fonts. Avoid using tables, text boxes, or unusual fonts that might not be read correctly by an ATS.
Incorporate keywords: Carefully read the job description and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases naturally into your resume. This helps the ATS match your resume with the job requirements.
Avoid graphics and images: Most ATS cannot parse images or complex graphics, so it’s best to exclude them from your resume.
Submit in the right format: While PDFs are often preferred for human readers, some ATS may have trouble parsing them. If unsure, submit your resume in a .doc or .docx format.
Use standard headings: Use traditional headings like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” to ensure that the ATS can easily categorize the information in your resume.

By following these guidelines, you can increase the likelihood that your resume will be successfully parsed and highlighted by any ATS, improving your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

Key takeaways

Let’s quickly sum up what we’ve learned:

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) automates the hiring process.
Recruiters type keywords into the ATS to search for candidates.
These keywords are usually job titles or specific skills.
You can find these keywords in the job description.
Try to include the job title keywords in your Summary section and/or in the Header.
The more your resume matches the job description, the higher your match rate.
Your ATS resume format should be simple and easy to read.

Crafting an ATS-optimized resume is essential for success in the digital hiring process. And remember that resume builders like Truepath.ai’s simplify this by offering ATS-friendly templates that integrate job-specific keywords directly from a job description. This ensures your resume showcases your professional skills and personality, aligning perfectly with your target role and boosting your interview chances.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ATS-compliant resume?

An ATS compliant resume is one that can be easily scanned and interpreted by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This means that your resume should be formatted clearly, with relevant keywords included.

How do I make an ATS-compatible resume?

To create an ATS-compatible resume, you’ll need to refer to the job description of the position you’re applying for. From this job description, you’ll be able to identify the job title, skills, and keywords you should include on your resume. You should also format your resume properly by sticking to a simple design that’s easy to read, with clear headings and font type. Consider using our resume builder to create an ATS-compatible resume.

What is a good ATS resume score?

After scanning your resume, the ATS scores your resume on a 1–100% scale. A score of 80% or higher moves you on to a human recruiter who may contact you for a job interview. If your resume scores lower than 80% it is placed into a database for possible future consideration. A resume that scores 20% or lower is usually rejected outright. Check your resume.