What to Remove From Your Resume to Improve ATS Score: A Complete Guide

Understanding what to remove from your resume to improve ATS score is essential for job seekers aiming to pass automated screening and catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for relevant keywords and formats but can be tripped up by unnecessary or confusing elements. Removing these pitfalls can elevate your resume’s ranking and increase interview chances dramatically.

This guide unpacks the biggest resume mistakes, offers a decision-tree checklist, and lays out actionable workflows with tools like HireFlow to boost your job application outcomes.

Demystifying ATS and Common Resume Misconceptions

What Is an ATS and How Does It Work?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by recruiters and hiring managers to filter, sort, and rank resumes automatically. It scans resumes for keywords, formatting, and structure to identify candidates matching job descriptions before a human ever sees the file. ATS parses documents into readable data points, influencing which resumes make the shortlist.

Common Misconceptions About ATS

Many believe ATS software only looks for keywords or that fancy graphics help. In reality, ATS engines prioritize clean formatting and relevant content. Overstuffing keywords or including images can cause parsing errors, lowering your score. Another myth is that everything on your resume is equally valuable to ATS; some sections or content types are ignored or penalized.

How Recruiters Use ATS Scores

Recruiters rely on ATS scores to manage hundreds or thousands of job applications efficiently. The system ranks candidates internally based on keyword matches and resume structure, helping recruiters focus on top-scoring resumes. A higher ATS score means your resume is more likely to be reviewed by a hiring manager, making optimization crucial.

Decision-Tree Checklist: What to Remove From Your Resume to Improve ATS Score

Use this step-by-step decision tree to identify items to remove from your resume and boost ATS compatibility.

1. Check for Images and Graphics: Does your resume contain logos, icons, or photos? If yes, remove them as ATS cannot parse images.
2. Evaluate Font and Formatting: Are you using unusual fonts, colors, or multi-column layouts? Replace with standard fonts and single columns.
3. Review Contact Information: Is your contact info embedded in headers or footers? Move it to the main body since ATS often skips headers/footers.
4. Identify Irrelevant Sections: Do you have objective statements, hobbies, or unrelated interests? Consider removing or condensing to focus on job-related content.
5. Spot Keyword Stuffing: Are keywords repeated unnaturally? Remove excess and focus on contextually relevant terms.
6. Check for Special Characters: Are there symbols or emojis? Remove to prevent parsing errors.
7. Assess File Format: Is your resume saved as PDF or Word? Check employer’s preference; Word .docx is safest for ATS.
8. Scan for Long Paragraphs: Are your achievements buried in dense text? Break into bullet points to improve readability for both ATS and humans.
9. Verify Dates and Employment Gaps: Are timelines clear and consistent? Remove vague or redundant date formats.

Top 8 Things to Remove From Your Resume for ATS Success

Below are the most common resume elements that hinder ATS parsing and reduce your job application effectiveness.

• Photos and Headshots: While visually appealing to humans, these cause parsing failures in ATS.
• Graphics and Icons: Logos, social media icons, or decorative symbols confuse ATS and should be excluded.
• Complex Tables and Columns: Multi-column layouts often jumble information during parsing. Use simple single-column formats.
• Headers and Footers: Important details like contact info should be in the main body, as ATS may ignore headers and footers.
• Uncommon Fonts and Colors: Stick with standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman and avoid colored text to ensure readability.
• Excessive Jargon or Buzzwords: ATS looks for relevant keywords but penalizes stuffing or irrelevant terms.
• Personal Details Unrelated to Job: Avoid listing marital status, age, or hobbies unless directly relevant.
• References and Salary Information: Including references or salary expectations wastes space and distracts ATS.

Tools and Workflows to Optimize Your Resume for ATS

Using Resume Scanners and ATS Simulators

Leverage ATS simulators like HireFlow’s resume analyzer to identify parsing errors and areas to remove or improve. These tools highlight problematic sections, missing keywords, and formatting issues so you can edit effectively before submission.

Workflow: From Draft to ATS-Ready Resume

1. Draft your resume focusing on relevant job experience and keywords.
2. Remove unnecessary sections or content that confuse ATS.
3. Run your resume through an ATS scanner like HireFlow.
4. Review flagged issues and remove or reformat accordingly.
5. Test with multiple job descriptions to optimize keyword matching.
6. Save the final version in ATS-friendly formats (.docx recommended).

Recommended Tools

• HireFlow Resume Analyzer
• Jobscan
• Zety Resume Builder
• Resunate
• Grammarly (for clarity and conciseness)

90-Minute Action Plan for Removing Resume Errors for ATS

With limited time, here’s a focused plan to clean and optimize your resume to improve ATS scores quickly.

1. 10 mins: Open your resume and remove all images, icons, and graphics.
2. 15 mins: Simplify formatting by eliminating tables, columns, and headers/footers; ensure contact info is in body.
3. 20 mins: Replace non-standard fonts with Arial or Times New Roman; remove colors and special characters.
4. 15 mins: Cut out unrelated personal info, hobbies, references, and salary details.
5. 20 mins: Run your resume through an ATS scanner like HireFlow; note flagged issues.
6. 10 mins: Edit based on scanner feedback, focusing on clarity and keyword relevance.

Following this plan ensures your resume is ATS-friendly and ready to impress recruiters.

Examples of Removals That Boost ATS Scores

Before and After: Removing Graphics

Original resumes with logos and icons often get parse errors. After removing these, ATS successfully extracts all text, improving score by 15-20% on average.

Condensing Objective Statements

Lengthy objective paragraphs filled with fluff confuse ATS. Replacing them with a concise summary or removing them entirely improves keyword detection and recruiter clarity.

Replacing Tables with Bullets

Tables often jumble content during parsing. Converting tabular experience details into bullet points helps ATS read job history correctly, enhancing relevancy scores.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Content From Your Resume

• Over-Removing: Cutting out critical skill keywords or job titles can lower your ATS match rate.
• Ignoring Formatting: Removing images but leaving complex layouts can still cause parsing errors.
• Deleting Contact Info: Accidentally removing phone or email details reduces recruiter accessibility.
• Keyword Stuffing: Removing fluff but replacing it with repetitive keywords hurts readability and ATS scoring.
• Skipping ATS Testing: Not verifying changes with ATS tools can leave hidden issues unaddressed.

Balancing removals with maintaining essential information is key to improving ATS scores without sacrificing recruiter appeal.

FAQ About What to Remove From Your Resume to Improve ATS Score

1. Can removing the resume objective improve ATS scores?

Yes, often. Objectives tend to be generic and filled with fluff that ATS ignores or penalizes. Replacing them with a concise summary or removing them altogether can help your resume focus on relevant keywords and skills, improving ATS parsing and recruiter interest.

2. Should I remove all graphics and images from my resume?

Absolutely. ATS software cannot read images, icons, or logos, and these elements often break parsing. Removing graphics ensures your text is read correctly and your resume scores higher in automated systems.

3. Is it better to remove hobbies or interests from my resume?

Generally, yes, unless they directly relate to the job. Hobbies and interests take up valuable space and can distract ATS and recruiters. Prioritize professional skills and experience to maximize ATS relevance and recruiter focus.

4. Will removing headers and footers affect recruiter readability?

Removing headers and footers is essential for ATS, as these sections are often ignored during parsing. To maintain recruiter readability, place all important information, like contact details, in the main resume body in a clear format.

5. How do I know if I’ve removed too much content?

Use ATS resume scoring tools like HireFlow to test your resume after edits. If scores drop or keyword matches decrease, you may have removed critical information. Balance simplicity with including all relevant skills and job titles for optimal results.

6. Can removing references and salary expectations improve ATS performance?

Yes. References and salary info are typically not parsed or valued by ATS and can clutter your resume. Removing these sections keeps your resume focused and concise, helping ATS and recruiters zero in on your qualifications.

Conclusion and Next Steps to Boost Your ATS Resume Score

Knowing what to remove from your resume to improve ATS score is as important as knowing what to add. Avoid images, complex formatting, and irrelevant content while emphasizing clear, keyword-rich, and well-structured resumes. Use tools like HireFlow to test and refine your resume before applying.

For deeper insights into ATS-friendly writing, check out our How to Create an ATS Resume for Frontend Developers and Resume Optimization Tips for Frontend Developers guides, which provide tailored advice for tech roles.

Start your resume cleanup today and watch your job application success soar.