Technology is changing the way we do everything, and that includes applying for jobs.
This is why you need to have an ATS-friendly resume if you want to stay competitive in today’s job market.
ATS stands for applicant tracking system, which is software that helps employers manage the flood of resumes they get for every job posting.
In other words, the moment you hit “submit,” your resume likely ends up in an ATS database. Whether it gets found depends on how well it matches the job description.
In this article, I’ll show you how to create an ATS resume that shows up in recruiter searches and increases your chances of getting noticed.
Why do you need an ATS-friendly resume?
Most companies today use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort and filter resumes.
Recruiters search through the ATS database for suitable candidates by typing keywords into the ATS search bar. Resumes with those keywords then appear to the recruiter.
Not every recruiter uses the ATS in this way, but the vast majority do.
In fact, according to Jobscan’s State of the Job Search 2025 report, 99.7% of recruiters use keyword filters in their ATS to sort and prioritize applicants.
So which keywords do recruiters look for the most?
- 76.4% filter by skills
- 59.7% by education
- 55.3% by job title
- 50.6% by certifications or licenses
- 44.3% by years of experience
- 43.4% by location
If your resume doesn’t include the right keywords, it may never show up in a recruiter’s search—no matter how qualified you are.
That’s why creating an ATS-friendly resume isn’t just a nice-to-have in today’s job market. It’s essential.
How to create an ATS-friendly resume in 5 steps
Creating an ATS-friendly resume doesn’t have to be complicated.
I’ve broken it down into five easy steps: the first three focus on using the right keywords, and the last three cover how to format your resume properly.
Each step plays a key role in helping your resume get noticed. Skip one, and you could miss your shot at an interview.
1. Add the job title to your resume
Jobscan analyzed over 2.5 million resumes and found that those with the exact job title from the job posting in them were 10.6 times more likely to get an interview.
First, find the job title at the very top of the job description. Here’s an example:
This job title is “Solar Sales Representative.” Now add that job title to your resume headline.
Your resume headline appears at the top of your resume and is a short statement that highlights what makes you a strong candidate.
Here’s an example of a resume headline with the job title “Solar Sales Representative” in it:
“Solar Sales Representative with 5 years of experience closing deals and generating leads.”
The job title is the most important keyword of all, so make sure it appears right at the top of your resume.
You can also add the job title to your resume summary. This is a brief paragraph that gives an overview of your experience and qualifications.
The best way to make sure every resume you send out contains the exact job title is by using Jobscan’s resume scanner. Here’s how to use it:
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Paste in your resume
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Paste in the job description
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Click “Scan”
You’ll then receive a detailed Match Report showing exactly which keywords to add and what mistakes you might be making, including whether you forgot to include the job title.
PRO TIP: If you’re a recent grad or changing careers, you can still work the job title into your resume by using phrases like “Aspiring [Job Title]” or “Transitioning to [Job Title]”. This shows alignment while being truthful.
2. Find relevant skills and add them to your resume
As we saw earlier, 76.4% of recruiters search for specific skills. These skills, or keywords, can be found in the job description.
Below is an example of a job description with important skills underlined in red.
If you were applying for this job, you would want to work keywords like “Google Calendar,” “Microsoft Outlook,” “Hootsuite,” “Canva,” and others into your resume.
But don’t lie! Employers don’t expect you to have every skill listed.
Using the right keywords helps your resume show up in searches and signals that you’re a strong match for the role.
Use an online tool to find the right keywords
Jobscan’s resume scanner shows you exactly which keywords to include based on the job description.
Just paste in your resume and the job listing. You’ll get a personalized Match Report that highlights missing keywords and gives your resume a score based on how well it matches the job.
Here’s what the skills section of the match report looks like:
The red Xs show which keywords are missing from your resume. Adding these keywords can boost your resume score and increase your chances of getting an interview.
But don’t overdo it. Use keywords naturally throughout your resume.
If a hiring manager sees too many crammed-in keywords, it can feel like you’re trying to game the system. It also makes your resume harder to read and understand.
3. Use the exact keywords as they appear in the job description
It’s important to use keywords exactly as they appear in the job description.
For example, a job description might ask for “leadership experience.” Try to include the exact keyword phrase “leadership experience” on your resume. Don’t simply list your leadership roles.
Also be sure to include both long-form versions of keywords and acronym versions.
- “Proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.”
- “Proficient in ERP systems.”
- “Proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning systems.”
Include both versions because recruiters might search for either the acronym or the full term. It would be a shame to have that skill and not get recognized for it.
4. Use an ATS-friendly resume template
When it comes to formatting your resume for an ATS, chronological and hybrid formats are your best options.
A chronological resume lists your work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent job.
A hybrid resume combines a skills section at the top with a chronological work history below.
I don’t recommend using a functional resume. This format focuses entirely on skills and leaves out detailed work history or dates. Because of this, most ATS struggle to read it properly.
You can find ATS-friendly templates in Jobscan’s resume builder. Each one is predesigned to work with applicant tracking systems and built to be easy for recruiters to read.
5. Make your resume easy to scan
Once your resume has the right keywords and format, don’t forget the little things. Clean, professional formatting helps both the ATS and recruiters read your resume quickly and clearly.
Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your resume looks the part:
- Use simple, clear language throughout your resume.
- Stick to common fonts like Garamond, Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, or Georgia.
- Use 11–12 pt for body text and 14–16 pt for section headers.
- Set your resume margins to about 1 inch on all sides.
- Stick to standard bullet styles.
- Format dates consistently: either MM/YYYY or Month, Year (e.g., March, 2022)
- Save your resume as a Word doc or PDF so ATS can read it without issues.
- Always proofread. Just one small error can take you out of the running
- Don’t use headers and footers. The ATS has trouble reading them.
- Don’t use graphics, columns, tables, or symbols. Keep it simple.
- Don’t use unconventional section headings. Use traditional headings like “Work Experience”.
All of this might sound like a lot to check, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Jobscan’s resume scanner flags formatting mistakes and other errors that could keep your resume from being read by an ATS. It takes just a few seconds and can save you from getting overlooked for simple mistakes.
Here’s a section of the match report:
Try Jobscan’s resume scanner for free to get tips on how to improve your formatting, keyword use, and overall match rate.
What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software that companies use to manage and organize all the resumes they receive.
Instead of reviewing each resume by hand, recruiters rely on the ATS to store applications and search for top matches using keywords from the job description.
If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords or is formatted incorrectly, it might never be found.
ATS platforms are used by companies of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 giants.
In fact, 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS. Some of the most popular systems include Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and iCIMS.
Each platform works a little differently, but most follow the same basic process:
1: Recruiters enter the job description and details about the job opening into the ATS.
2: The ATS scans incoming resumes, sometimes ranking candidates, and stores the resumes in a searchable database.
3: Recruiters can choose from the ranked candidates. They can also search the database for strong candidates using resume keywords and skills.
A well-optimized resume helps you show up in searches and gives you a much better shot at landing an interview.
Key takeaways
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Most companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage resumes and search for candidates using keywords from the job description.
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Including the exact job title in your resume headline makes you 10.6 times more likely to get an interview.
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Recruiters search by skills, job titles, education, certifications, and experience, so use keywords that match the job posting.
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Use both the full term and acronym for important keywords (e.g. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)) to make sure your resume gets recognized.
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Stick to a chronological or hybrid resume format. Functional resumes often confuse the ATS and should be avoided.
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Make your resume easy to read by using standard fonts, consistent formatting, and clear section headings.
FAQs
An ATS-friendly resume is formatted in a way that makes it easy for an ATS to read and understand it. It also includes keywords and phrases that are relevant to the specific job opening. If you write your resume with ATS software in mind, it will have a much better chance of making it into the hands of a hiring manager.
To make your resume ATS-friendly, use a clean, straightforward format. Avoid images and graphics. Tailor your resume to each job application by incorporating keywords and phrases from the job description, ensuring they match your skills and experience.
The most ATS-friendly format is the reverse chronological resume. This type of resume lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position listed first. This format is favored because it clearly showcases your career progression and is easily parsed by most ATS systems.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, a PDF resume will work fine. Always check the job listing. If it says to submit a Word resume, then do that. Otherwise, a PDF resume works just as well.
Jobscan’s resume scanner can ensure your resume is ATS-friendly by flagging formatting errors. By fixing these errors, you can feel confident your resume will be readable for the ATS.
You can even build an ATS-friendly resume from scratch using Jobscan’s resume builder to ensure you achieve a well-formatted document from the start.
