1What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
Why Companies Use ATS
Companies use ATS to handle high application volumes efficiently. Without automation, reviewing hundreds of resumes for each position would be impossible. ATS helps recruiters save time, maintain compliance, and identify qualified candidates faster.
Popular ATS Systems
The most common ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo (Oracle), iCIMS, BambooHR, and Jobvite. Each has slightly different parsing capabilities, but the optimization principles are largely the same.
2How ATS Systems Actually Work
💡 Key Tips
- Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting
- Include exact keywords from the job description
- Use both spelled-out terms and acronyms
- Save as PDF unless Word is specifically requested
3Essential ATS Formatting Rules
Layout & Structure
Use a single-column layout. Avoid columns, tables, and text boxes—ATS often can't read content inside these elements. Keep your resume structure simple and linear.
Fonts & Typography
Stick to standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Helvetica. Use 10-12pt for body text and up to 14pt for headers. Avoid decorative fonts.
Headers & Sections
Use standard section headings: Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Skills. Don't get creative with names like 'Career Journey' or 'What I Bring'—ATS may not recognize them.
File Format
PDF is generally safest as it preserves formatting across devices. However, some older ATS prefer Word (.docx). When in doubt, check the job posting for preferences.
What to Avoid
Headers and footers (ATS often can't read them), images/graphics, special characters, text boxes, and columns. Keep it clean and simple.
📝 Examples
- ✓ Professional Summary (standard header)
- ✗ My Career Story (creative but ATS-unfriendly)
- ✓ Work Experience (standard)
- ✗ Where I've Made Impact (too creative)
4Keyword Optimization Strategies
Where to Place Keywords
Strategic keyword placement matters. Include key terms in your professional summary (highest weight), job titles, bullet points, and skills section. The professional summary is particularly important as it's often the first content ATS analyzes.
Keyword Density
While there's no magic number, important keywords should appear 2-4 times throughout your resume in natural contexts. Don't overdo it—keyword stuffing can hurt you with human reviewers.
💡 Key Tips
- Extract keywords directly from the job description
- Include keywords in context, not as a list
- Use exact phrases when possible ('project management' not just 'projects')
- Include both acronyms and spelled-out versions (SEO and Search Engine Optimization)
- Don't keyword stuff—it's obvious to human reviewers
5Common ATS Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Mistake 1: Using a Template with Tables/Columns
Many beautiful resume templates use tables and columns for layout. While visually appealing, these often break ATS parsing. Fix: Use a simple, single-column layout.
Mistake 2: Missing Keywords
Using different terminology than the job posting (e.g., 'client management' vs 'account management'). Fix: Mirror the exact language from job descriptions.
Mistake 3: Important Info in Headers/Footers
Putting contact information in the header. Many ATS can't read header/footer content. Fix: Include all important information in the main body.
Mistake 4: Non-Standard Section Headings
Creative headings like 'What Drives Me' instead of 'Objective'. Fix: Use standard, recognizable section titles.
Mistake 5: Submitting the Wrong File Type
Some systems struggle with certain file formats. Fix: Default to PDF, but check job posting preferences.
Mistake 6: Including Graphics or Charts
Visual skill bars, logos, or icons. Fix: Use plain text for all information.
6Testing Your Resume for ATS Compatibility
7ATS Systems by Major Employer
8Advanced ATS Optimization Strategies
Strategic Keyword Placement
Place your most important keywords in the top third of your resume, particularly in your professional summary. ATS often weights content at the top of the document more heavily.
Mirroring Job Titles
If your actual job title differs from industry standard, consider adding the equivalent in parentheses: 'Customer Success Ninja (Account Manager)'. This helps with both ATS and human reviewers.
Skills Section Strategy
Create a dedicated skills section near the top of your resume with keywords that might not fit naturally into your experience bullets. This ensures coverage of technical requirements.
Multiple Versions
Create tailored versions of your resume for different types of positions. A data scientist applying to both tech companies and banks might need slightly different keyword emphasis.
Referral Workaround
When possible, get a referral. Many companies fast-track referred candidates, often bypassing the initial ATS screening altogether.