Skip to content

How to Make your Resume ATS Friendly

  • Remember, crafting an ATS-friendly resume is about striking a balance between readability for both machines and humans. Don’t sacrifice clarity for the sake of keyword stuffing.
  • By following these guidelines, you’ll significantly increase your chances of getting your resume past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager.

Have you ever faced a situation where you apply to multiple opportunities but do not get any response? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? But what if I told you, your resume might not be friendly for HRs and their resume-selecting software? Here’s how you can make your resume ATS friendly and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

What Is ATS in Resume Filtering and How Does It Work?

Imagine you’re scrolling through your phone, and suddenly, a barrage of notifications floods your screen. It’s overwhelming, right? That’s exactly how recruiters feel when they receive hundreds of applications for a single job posting. To manage this influx, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline their hiring process. These software solutions act as digital gatekeepers, scanning resumes for specific keywords and formatting before they ever reach human eyes.

Steps to Check if Your Resume is ATS Compatible

1. Visit the Ultimate Resume Test website on your browser.

2. Upload your resume file by drag dropping or selecting it.

3. Enter your email address or phone number.

4. Click “Test My Resume” and wait for the analysis to complete

5. Review the results, including ATS readability score and keyword matches

6. Use the feedback to improve your resume’s ATS compatibility

How to Make Your Resume ATS Friendly

  1. Choose an ATS-friendly resume format: Use a chronological format that lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order.
  2. Use a clean, straightforward layout: Avoid images, graphics, and complex formatting that may confuse ATS software.
  3. Select an ATS-friendly font: Use common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Garamond in sizes between 10 and 12 points.
  4. Label sections clearly: Use standard section headers like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”.
  5. Avoid headers, footers, and tables: These elements can interfere with ATS parsing.
  6. Optimize with relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
  7. Use both acronyms and full terms: Include both versions of important terms, such as “CPA” and “Certified Public Accountant”.
  8. Save in the right file format: Use common file types like .docx or .pdf, depending on the employer’s requirements

FAQs

Q. Can I use a creative resume design for ATS?

It’s best to avoid creative designs and stick to simple, clean layouts that ATS can easily read and parse. Read the above article for more details.

Q. How important are keywords in an ATS-friendly resume?

Keywords are crucial for ATS compatibility. Tailor your resume to each job by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description.

Wrapping Up

In this guide, we learnt how to make your Resume ATS friendly for various job opportunities. For more such guides, tips and how to’s, follow GadgetsToUse.

You can also follow us for instant tech news at Google News or for tips and tricks, smartphones & gadgets reviews, join the GadgetsToUse Telegram Group, or subscribe to the GadgetsToUse Youtube Channel for the latest review videos.

Use Enhanced Google Site Search Text Box Below To Find Solution to Your Tech Problems

Abhijay Singh Rawat

Abhijay Singh Rawat

Abhijay is the Editor at GadgetsToUse, who loves to follow up on the latest tech trends and trek up on hills of Uttarakhand. In his spare time, he presumes his role as a gamer and sets out to reach radiant in Valorant. Rarely streaming at AbhiRaw on YouTube.View Author posts