What "ATS-friendly" means
An applicant tracking system stores applications and lets recruiters search and filter them. Systems and their setups differ, so no one can promise how a given employer's system reads your file. A plain, well-structured resume is the safest choice: it reads cleanly for software and for people.
Formatting do's and don'ts
| Area | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | One column, top to bottom | Two or three columns, text boxes, sidebars |
| Tables | Plain lines of text | Tables for layout, skill bars, graphics |
| Header and footer | Name and contact in the main body | Contact details only in the page header or footer |
| File type | The type the employer asks for, usually PDF or DOCX | Images, scans, or unusual formats |
| Fonts | Common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman) at 10 to 12 pt | Decorative fonts, icons in place of words |
| Headings | Standard: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications | Creative headings like "My Journey" |
| Dates | Consistent format on every role (e.g. Jan 2022 – Mar 2025) | Missing dates or mixed formats |
| Bullets | Simple round bullets or hyphens | Custom symbols or emoji |
Plain example layout
Sam Example sam@example.com | 555-0100 | Springfield | linkedin.com/in/sam-example Summary Operations analyst with 4 years in logistics reporting. Key skills: SQL, Excel, Tableau, Inventory reporting Experience Operations Analyst, Example Freight Co | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 - Built weekly SQL reports used by 4 regional managers - Reconciled quarterly inventory counts in Excel Education B.S. Business Administration, Example State University | 2021
Before you send
- Save as the file type requested.
- Copy all the text from your file and paste it into a plain text editor. If it comes out jumbled, software may read it that way too.
- Paste that text and the job ad into the free ATS resume checker to see your fit score, missing keywords and section checks.
Sources for general resume advice: Job Bank (Government of Canada): How to write a good resume; National Careers Service (UK): CV sections. Related: ATS keywords · How our score works · References.
FAQ
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
A resume formatted so software and people can read it easily: one column, standard headings, real text, consistent dates.
Is PDF or Word better for ATS?
Use the file type the employer asks for. If they don't say, a text-based PDF or DOCX is a common choice.
Can I use columns or tables?
It is safer to avoid them. Some systems may read columns and tables out of order.
Will an ATS-friendly resume get me an interview?
No format can promise that. It just helps your real experience be read clearly.
Check your resume against a real job
Paste your resume and a job listing. Get a 0 to 100 fit score, matched and missing keywords, and section checks. Free, no signup, runs in your browser, no AI.
Open the free score checker