10 Resume Formatting Tips to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems

Understanding the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

When you apply for a job at a mid-sized or large company, your resume rarely goes straight to a human being. Instead, it is parsed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). An ATS is a software application that enables the electronic handling of recruitment needs. It scans your resume for keywords, employment history, and educational background, and then scores your application against the job description.

If your resume is not properly formatted, the ATS might fail to read your information correctly. For example, if you use a complex two-column layout, the parser might read the left column and right column as a single line, jumbling your work experience. This is why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication when it comes to modern resume design.

Top Formatting Rules

• Avoid Tables and Text Boxes: While they look nice to humans, many ATS parsers cannot read data inside tables or text boxes. Use standard margins and tabs instead.
• Stick to Standard Fonts: Use web-safe fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Custom fonts might be substituted and break your layout during parsing.
• Use Standard Section Headings: The ATS looks for specific keywords to identify sections. Use "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" rather than creative titles like "My Journey" or "What I Can Do."
• Save as PDF or DOCX: Always check the job description for acceptable file formats. If a PDF is accepted, use it, as it preserves your intended formatting perfectly.

By using the JobsLander Resume Builder, you automatically avoid these pitfalls, as our templates are rigorously tested against modern ATS software.