ATS-Friendly Resume Guide

How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly (2025 Guide)

97% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software to filter resumes. If your resume isn't ATS-friendly, it may never reach a real recruiter. Here's what you need to know.

1. What Is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) scans resumes and extracts information like job titles, dates, skills, and keywords. If your resume is not formatted properly, the ATS may fail to read your content—meaning a recruiter never sees it.

2. The Must-Have Requirements for ATS-Friendly Formatting

To avoid parsing errors, follow these rules:

  • Use simple formatting
  • No text boxes, tables, columns, or decorative icons
  • Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica
  • Use common headings like “Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”
  • Save as PDF unless the employer requests otherwise

3. Keywords: The #1 Factor in ATS Filtering

ATS systems match your resume to the job description. If the job posting mentions “SQL,” “stakeholder communication,” or “JavaScript,” those terms should appear naturally in your resume.

4. Resume Sections ATS Systems Expect

  • Professional Summary
  • Experience
  • Skills
  • Education
  • Projects (optional)

5. How AIOffer.me Helps You Pass ATS Filters

  • Extracts keywords automatically
  • Rewrites your resume with ATS-safe formatting
  • Highlights missing skills from the job description
  • Generates tailored bullet points

Get more interviews by matching recruiter expectations.

Key ATS Features Employers Use

Resume Parsing

ATS extracts titles, dates, and skills.

Keyword Matching

Your resume must match the job description.

Ranking Candidates

ATS assigns a “fit score” to each resume.

Skill Extraction

AI identifies your technical strengths.

ATS Resume FAQ

Do ATS systems read PDFs?

Most modern ATS software can read PDFs, but some older systems struggle. AIOffer.me ensures your resume is fully ATS-compatible.

Do graphics or icons break ATS?

Yes. Many ATS tools cannot read icons, logos, or decorative elements.

How many keywords should I include?

Include all relevant skills mentioned in the job description—but only if you actually have the skill.

Does ATS ranking affect interviews?

Yes. Recruiters often review the top-ranked resumes first, so keyword alignment matters.