# ATS-Friendly Resume: How to Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

## Beat the bots. Learn how to write a resume that gets through applicant tracking systems and into the hands of a human recruiter.

### What Is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to scan, sort, and rank resumes before a recruiter even sees them. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it may never get read.

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### Use a Clean, Simple Format
- Stick to one column
- Avoid graphics, tables, and text boxes

**Tip:** Fancy designs may look nice—but ATS systems can’t parse them correctly.

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### Use Standard Section Headings
ATS software looks for common headings like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Avoid creative alternatives like “My Journey” or “Where I’ve Worked.”

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### Use Keywords from the Job Description
Scan the job ad and match exact phrases and terms in your resume. Focus on tools, skills, and qualifications they mention more than once.
- Use both acronyms and full phrases (e.g., SEO and Search Engine Optimization)
- Incorporate them naturally—don’t keyword stuff

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### Save and Submit as PDF (Unless Told Otherwise)
Most ATS systems can read PDFs, but always check the job posting. Some may prefer .docx files.

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### Use Bullet Points to Highlight Achievements
Simple, clean bullet points help both humans and machines quickly understand your accomplishments.

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### Don’t Include
- Icons or infographics
- Tables or multiple columns

These design elements confuse the ATS parser and might cause parts of your resume to be skipped entirely.

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### Final Thought
An ATS-friendly resume helps ensure your application makes it through the first filter. Clean formatting, keyword relevance, and structure are what count—not design tricks.