Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Friendly Resumes

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a human resources (HR) computer software program that reads candidates’ resumes. It uses keywords and phrases identified by the employer to filter potential candidates. The use of these candidate screening systems is now the recruitment norm; not only by Fortune 500 companies but also medium and small companies as well as LinkedIn, Indeed and other job board sites.

We often hear candidates report frustration with the application process; they apply and apply then hear nothing back from the employer. The problems with ATS are that it can’t read certain things and is easily confused; as well as it is looking for the employer’s keywords and phrases. If the ATS is unable to read the resume and the resume doesn’t contain keywords or phrases, it screens out candidates, even if the candidate is qualified for the position. The candidates have no idea that this has happened, or why.

The challenge to a resume’s progress through the ATS may, in fact, be its format and content. So, having an ATS-friendly resume increases a candidate’s chances of making it through the ATS and reaching a person. It’s in the candidate’s interest to follow some basic ATS-friendly resume recommendations.

ATS-Friendly Resume Recommendations:

  • Keywords from the job description and/or industry are the name of the game. They should appear in every section of the resume.

Do Not Use – these make the surrounding text unreadable:

  • Underlining.

  • Shading.

  • Unusual bullets like arrows, or others.

  • Any symbols not found on a keyboard.

  • Columns or tables.

  • Charts or graphs.

  • Graphics or logos.

  • Accent marks, as used here in the word résumé.

  • Headers and footers (information won’t be readable).

OK To Use:

  • Bold.

  • ALL CAPITALS.

  • One-inch margins all the way around.

  • Standard Bullets such as circles or squares. Be sure they don’t touch any letters.

  • Symbols found on a keyboard, ex: $, &, *.

  • Employment dates should appear to the right of the job title, ex: Month/Year (01/2024).

  • Standard Section Headings. Ex: Work History, Professional Experience, Education, etc.

  • Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF

  • Standard fonts like Word’s default font: Calibri, or Arial, Times New Roman; nothing unusual just to be safe.

Frederick County Workforce Services offers resume assistance through our Resource Room staff, as well as our Job Search Service which offers scheduled appointments or walk-ins.

Sources: FCWS ATS-Friendly Resumes and JobScan.co.

Job Seekers, Resume TipsJessica Mills