Many companies use an applicant tracking system, or ATS, to collect and sort resumes. The software reads your file, pulls out your details and ranks you against the job. If it cannot read your resume, a recruiter may never see it. The good news is that an ATS friendly resume is mostly about being clear and simple.
Use a simple, single column layout
Columns, text boxes and tables can confuse a parser, which may read them in the wrong order. A single column with clear sections is the safest choice. Templates such as Classic, Modern and Minimal in the free resume builder are built this way.
Use standard section headings
Call sections what recruiters and software expect: Summary, Experience, Education and Skills. Creative names like "My Journey" may not be recognised.
Choose a plain font
Stick to common fonts at a readable size, usually 10 to 12 points for body text. Avoid putting important text inside images, icons or graphics.
Match the keywords in the job post
Read the job description and note the skills and tools it repeats. If they truly describe your experience, use the same words in your summary, skills and bullets. Do not stuff in words you cannot back up.
Write bullets that show results
Start with an action word, say what you did and add a number when you can. "Cut report time from two days to four hours" is stronger than "Responsible for reports".
Save as a PDF with real text
A PDF keeps your layout the same on every device. Make sure the text is selectable, which means it is real text and not a picture of text. Try to select a line with your cursor to check.
Keep it to one page when you can
If you have fewer than eight years of experience, one page is usually enough. Use the spacing option to fit your content without shrinking the font too far.
Quick checklist
- Single column, standard headings
- Plain font, no text in images
- Keywords from the job post
- Results with numbers
- Selectable text in the PDF
Ready to try it? Build your resume now. It is free and your details never leave your device.