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How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume

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In today’s competitive job market, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to help make their hiring process easier. ATS software automatically screens and organizes resumes, allowing recruiters to efficiently manage a large pool of candidates. According to data from GoodFirms, 90% of Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS to filter through resumes

To ensure your resume stands out and makes it past ATS, it’s important to make your resume ATS-friendly. In this blog, we will walk you through how to create an ATS-friendly resume, optimize your ATS resume score, and use an ATS resume checker to improve your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers

What is an ATS Resume

An ATS resume is specifically designed to be compatible with the Applicant Tracking System. It follows certain formatting rules to ensure that the system can read, analyze, and score your resume effectively. When you apply for jobs, ATS software scans your resume for keywords, skills, work experience, and other details. If your resume is ATS-friendly, it will have a higher chance of reaching a recruiter

How Does ATS Software Work

ATS software scans resumes and breaks down the content into sections such as work experience, education, skills, and certifications. It then compares these sections against the job description to identify relevant keywords and skills. If your resume contains the right ATS-friendly keywords and matches the job description, it has a higher likelihood of being reviewed by a hiring manager.

Here are some common ATS-friendly keywords that are often scanned by ATS software

Skills (e.g., communication, leadership, project management

Certifications (e.g., PMP, BLS Certified)

Education (e.g., Bachelor's in Marketing)

Work History (e.g., Sales Manager at XYZ Corp.)

Job Titles (e.g., Web Developer, HR Manager)

How to Check if Your Resume Is ATS-Friendly

An ATS resume checker can help you verify that your resume goes through the ATS. This tool will analyze your resume and provide a score based on how well it matches the job description. If your resume scores above 80%, it is considered ATS-friendly and will most likely be sent to a hiring manager.

How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume

To create an ATS-friendly resume, follow these steps

Step 1: Review the Job Description

Begin by carefully reviewing the job description to find important keywords and skills related to the position. Highlight key ATS-friendly keywords that match your experience.

Example:

Job Description for a Software Developer

Skills: Java, Python, Agile, SQ

Experience: Minimum 3 years working in software development

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Step 2:  Match your qualifications with the job requirement

Once you've identified the relevant keywords from the job description, incorporate them into your resume. Make sure the keywords match your skills, experience, and certifications. Avoid overloading your resume with keywords, as this can seem unnatural. Focus on including keywords that genuinely reflect your qualifications

Step 3: Incorporate Keywords Throughout Your Resume

Sprinkle relevant ATS-friendly keywords throughout your resume sections. Here’s how to do it

Professional Summary

Include relevant keywords such as your years of experience, key skills, and achievements

Work History

For each job, mention specific skills, tools, and action verbs that match the job descriptio

Skills Section

List job-specific skills in bullet points, using clear and easy-to-read formatting

Step 4: Use a Standard Resume Format

Use a traditional resume format (chronological, functional, or combination) that is easy for ATS to parse. Avoid using images, tables, columns, or fancy designs, as these can confuse the system

ATS-Friendly Resume Formatting Tip

  • Use common section headers such as Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications.

  • Choose a simple, readable typeface, such as Arial or Calibri.

  • Include dates in a consistent format (e.g., January 2020 – December 2023).

  • Save your resume as a Word document (.doc or.docx) or a suitable PDF (if the job posting supports PDFs)

What Is an ATS-Friendly Resume Template

An ATS-friendly resume template is designed to help you format your resume in a way that’s easy for the applicant tracking system to read. These templates ensure that your resume has the right layout, headings, and structure to get past ATS software. Using an ATS-friendly resume template can save you time and increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters

Key ATS-Friendly Resume Tips

  • Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments, such as "managed," "developed," or "improved."

  • When possible, quantify your accomplishments (for example, "increased sales by 20%").

  • Avoid graphics and images, as these can confuse ATS software.

  • Incorporate job-specific keywords into your resume summary, work experience, and skills sections

ATS Resume Score: How to Improve It

Your ATS resume score is calculated by how well your resume matches the keywords and parameters outlined in the job description. To improve your score, use an ATS-friendly resume checker to analyze your resume. The checker will highlight areas that need improvement, such as missing keywords or improperly formatted section

A good score is typically 80% or higher, but keep in mind that a perfect score doesn’t guarantee you’ll land the job. It simply increases the chances of your resume being reviewed by a hiring manager

Conclusion

In today’s job market, it’s crucial to submit an ATS-friendly resume to get noticed by hiring managers. By using an ATS resume checker, incorporating relevant keywords, and following the right formatting guidelines, you can ensure that your resume stands out to both ATS software and recruiter

For better results, use an ATS-friendly resume template to streamline the process and ensure your resume is fully optimized. Remember, the key to getting your resume seen by human eyes is making sure it’s readable by ATS firs

Now, take your resume to the next level with our ATS Resume Builder and ensure it’s ATS-friendly for every job you apply to

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