ATS Resume — 3 Steps to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems and Land Interviews

You’ve spent hours perfecting your resume, sent it to dozens of companies… and heard nothing back.

In many cases, it’s not that you’re unqualified — it’s that your resume never made it to a human recruiter. Most medium-to-large employers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter applications before they’re even read.

If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it could be automatically rejected — even if you’re the perfect fit. The good news? Creating an ATS resume isn’t complicated. Follow these three steps to make sure your resume passes the system and lands in front of a hiring manager.

Step 1: Use an ATS-Friendly Format

ATS software scans your resume for text it can recognise — but it struggles with complex layouts and formatting.

Common mistakes that block ATS from reading your resume include:
- Using two-column or graphic-heavy templates.
- Placing key details inside tables or text boxes.
- Using non-standard fonts or unusual symbols.

Instead, keep your layout clean and simple:
- Use a single-column format with clear section headings like 'Work Experience' and 'Education.'
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Avoid graphics, icons, decorative borders, or background colours.

Remember: the goal is to make your resume easy for both the ATS and a human recruiter to scan quickly. If a human recruiter opens your file, it should look professional, not cluttered.

Step 2: Include the Right Keywords

Think of the ATS as a search engine. Recruiters enter keywords — skills, qualifications, job titles — and the system filters resumes that match.

To optimise your resume for keywords:
- Read the job ad carefully and highlight repeated words and phrases.
- Include exact matches for skills, certifications, and job titles in your resume.
- Spread these keywords naturally across your professional summary, skills list, and work experience.

Example:
- Job ad: 'Experience with project management tools such as Asana or Trello.'
- Resume: 'Coordinated cross-functional projects using Asana to deliver tasks 20% ahead of schedule.'

Avoid keyword stuffing. The ATS may score you higher for relevant matches, but hiring managers will still read your resume — and an unnatural list of keywords will hurt your chances.

Step 3: Save in the Correct File Format

Even if your format and keywords are perfect, the wrong file type can get your resume rejected.

- Most ATS systems read Word documents (.docx) best.
- Some can process PDFs, but many cannot — always check the job ad.
- If in doubt, send a .docx file to be safe.

Also, use a professional file name: 'Firstname_Lastname_Resume.docx' looks far better than 'FinalVersion3_Updated.docx'. A professional name makes it easier for recruiters to find and remember your application.

Bonus: 3 Common Keyword Mistakes in ATS Resumes

Using abbreviations only — If the job description says 'Search Engine Optimisation,' include both 'SEO' and 'Search Engine Optimisation' in your resume.
Ignoring soft skills — While technical skills are important, some ATS scans also look for keywords like 'communication skills' or 'leadership.'
Missing variations — If the role is for a 'Marketing Manager,' include variations like 'Marketing Lead' if you’ve held them — as long as they are accurate.

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FAQs

What is an ATS resume?

An ATS resume is formatted and written so Applicant Tracking Systems can scan and read it accurately, increasing the chance it reaches a human recruiter.

Should I send my resume as a PDF or Word document?

Unless the job ad specifies otherwise, send it as a Word document (.docx) for maximum ATS compatibility.

Will an ATS-friendly resume still look good to humans?

Yes — a clean, simple design works for both ATS software and recruiters reviewing your resume manually.