How to Create an ATS Resume

Are you feeling discouraged because you’re not getting enough interviews? If so, you might need to create an ATS resume.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. This is computer software that companies use to manage the hiring process. The problem is, if your resume isn’t optimized for the ATS, it might never be seen by a hiring manager.

There are two main reasons for this:

1. Your resume isn’t formatted correctly, so the ATS can’t read it.
2. Your resume doesn’t contain the keywords that a hiring manager is looking for.

Either way, the result is the same: rejection.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to create an ATS resume. This article will show you how in three easy steps.

How to write an ATS resume in 3 steps

To create an ATS-optimized resume, you’ll need the job description in front of you. Why? Because your resume should be tailored to each specific job, not reused for every application.

While it’s tempting to submit the same resume across multiple job boards, you’ll get better results by creating a targeted resume for each role. It takes more time, but it’s much more effective.

If you have the job listing ready, let’s begin!

1. Identify the job title

The first step is to check the top of the job description where the job title is listed. For example:

The job title is “Business Analyst.” You must include the job title on your resume. This is because hiring managers will search for that exact keyword in the ATS to find candidates.

The best place to add the job title is to your resume headline. A resume headline is a one-line statement that highlights your key skills or accomplishments. It appears right beneath your contact information.

Here’s an example of a resume headline for a business analyst:

But what if you’re making a career change? Can you still use “Business Analyst” in your headline? Yes, but you’ll need to be more creative. Here’s how:

How important is it to include the job title in your resume headline? Jobscan analyzed nearly a million job searches and found that resumes with the job title in the headline received 3.5 times more interview invitations.

2. Identify the essential keywords

The next step is to carefully read the job description and highlight the skills, or keywords, that are mentioned most frequently. Then, add these keywords to your resume exactly as they are written in the job description.

But don’t lie—only include the skills you actually possess.

Hiring managers search the ATS by typing in these resume keywords. If your resume doesn’t include them, it won’t be found. Just like websites need to be optimized for Google, your resume must be optimized for ATS.

Here’s an example of a job description with key skills underlined. If you were applying to this job, you should try including as many of these skills as possible on your resume.

The key is to use the same language in your resume that the hiring manager uses in the job description.

Many people are qualified for the jobs they apply to, but because their resumes don’t include the exact keywords found in the job description, they miss out on interviews. This is why creating an ATS resume is so crucial.

PRO TIP: Never begin bullet points in your work experience section with “responsible for.” Always use action verbs such as “managed,” “organized,” or “developed.” Using action verbs helps the ATS understand your accomplishments better.

3. Format your resume correctly

The final step to creating your ATS-friendly resume is to make sure it’s formatted correctly. If the ATS can’t properly read your information, you won’t get an interview.

Start with a clear, well-organized layout. Your resume should include a professional summary at the top, followed by standard section headings like “Work Experience” and “Education.” Avoid using creative or unconventional headings, like “My Career Journey.”

It’s important to keep your formatting simple. “There is no more sure-fire way to get your resume lost in an ATS than to clutter your resume with graphics, tables, and creative fonts,” says professional resume writer Jazlyn Unbedacht. “You’ll want to, but don’t do it.”

Follow these formatting tips to make sure your resume can be easily read by an ATS:

Check every resume you send out to make sure it’s formatted correctly. And proofread for errors. It’s no exaggeration to say that only one small mistake can ruin your chances of getting a job interview.

If you’re unsure about formatting, try using one of Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly templates. Simply choose the format that best suits your needs, download it, and customize it with your information.

Use an online tool to help you create an ATS resume

Creating an ATS resume can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Online tools, like a resume checker, can help. These tools review your resume, suggest improvements, and tailor it to the job description.

For example, Jobscan’s resume scanner analyzes your resume against the job description. It then provides you with a score showing how well your resume matches the job requirements.

The higher your score, the better your chances of landing an interview. The tool also tells you how to improve your score.

Below is an example of a Jobscan report. The keywords “Computer Literacy” and “Clinical Administration” are in the job description but are missing from the resume. By adding these keywords to your resume, you’ll increase your score.

Jobscan’s tool not only checks your resume for keyword optimization but also identifies formatting errors that could prevent an ATS from properly reading your resume.

Using this tool can provide immediate results. One Jobscan user said “I went from not getting interviews for months at a time and then I got three or four interviews. It was a definite change.”

What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

An ATS is a software that helps companies sort and organize resumes. Almost all Fortune 500 companies—and many smaller ones—use ATS to streamline hiring.

Thanks to online job boards like Indeed, it’s easy for job seekers to send out lots of applications, which means employers get flooded with resumes for every job posting. An ATS helps employers quickly filter through these applications and focus on the most qualified candidates.

In other words, even if you’re applying to many jobs, your resume won’t stand out unless you tailor it to each job. If you don’t, hiring managers may never even see your resume.

How do companies use ATS?

When you submit your resume through an online application, it goes straight into an ATS database. Hiring managers then search the database to find suitable candidates by typing specific keywords into the ATS search bar.

For example, if they’re looking for a software engineer, they might type “software engineer” into the search bar. Or if they need someone with “graphic design” skills, they’ll use that keyword.

Often, searches include multiple keywords. For instance, a hiring manager might search for “administrative assistant,” “Microsoft Excel,” and “PowerPoint.” To show up in the search results, your resume needs to include all three of those keywords.

Read the job description carefully. This is where hiring managers find the keywords they use in their search.

What is a match rate?

Including keywords in your resume is a great start, but it’s not always enough.

Many ATS systems automatically compare your entire resume to the job description, looking at your work experience, education, qualifications, and skills. Hiring managers can then sort candidates based on how well they “match” the job description.

To make things trickier, there are lots of different ATS platforms—some of the most popular include Greenhouse, iCIMS, Lever, and Taleo. Each one scores candidates a little differently.

That’s where online tools like Jobscan can help. Jobscan has a database of thousands of companies and the specific ATS they use in their hiring process.

When you paste your resume into the tool, you can enter the company name you’re applying to. Jobscan will then give you ATS-specific tips to optimize your resume for that company.

For example, if the company uses the iCIMS ATS, you’ll see tips specifically tailored for that system.

Applying for jobs is a numbers game, but quality matters just as much as quantity. Small tweaks can make a big difference. So take the time to customize and fine-tune your resume—every little bit helps you get closer to that interview.

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