Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) reject up to 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Here's how to ensure yours gets through:
- Use exact keywords from the job description. Copy the exact phrasing used in the posting — "project management" vs "managing projects" can make a difference.
- Avoid tables, headers/footers, and text boxes. ATS parsers often can't read these. Keep formatting simple.
- Use standard section headings. "Work Experience" is safer than "Where I've Been." Stick to conventions ATS systems understand.
- Save as .docx (Word), not PDF. Unless the job posting specifies PDF, Word files are more reliably parsed.
- Include both spelled-out and acronym versions. Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" the first time.
- Use a simple, single-column format. Multi-column layouts confuse most ATS parsers.
- Quantify achievements. "Increased sales by 35%" is both human and ATS friendly.
- Match your job title to the posting's title. If they say "Marketing Manager," use that exact title if accurate.
- Avoid images, logos, and icons. ATS cannot read visual elements.
- Tailor every application. One generic resume rarely beats targeted ones — customize for each role.
Pro Tip: Our CvFree templates are specifically designed to be ATS-friendly. All three templates use clean formatting that ATS systems can read reliably.