There’s one simple truth when it comes to applying for jobs. If a recruiter doesn’t see your resume, you won’t get hired. To make sure recruiters see your resume, it has to pass the applicant tracking system (ATS).
Below, we’ll explain what the ATS is, how to make sure your resume is optimized for it, and how to use our ATS checker in our AI resume builder.
Key Takeaways
- Tailor your resume with keywords from the job description to pass ATS filters.
- Use simple headings, readable fonts, and avoid complex formatting to ensure ATS compatibility.
- Include exact job titles and employment dates for ATS alignment.
- Integrate keywords naturally to maintain readability and avoid keyword stuffing.
- Use ResumeCoach’s ATS resume checker to get a detailed score for each section of your resume.
What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a type of software employers use to filter, rank, and organize candidate applications.
An ATS scans a resume for specific keywords, job titles, qualifications, and formatting elements to determine whether the candidate has the relevant skills and experience.
Think of it as a digital gatekeeper. If your resume doesn’t contain the language and structure it’s looking for, the ATS may filter it out even if you’re qualified.
How Do Applicant Tracking Systems Work?
ATS software uses algorithms to scan and analyze resumes for relevant information. The system looks for:
- Keywords and phrases from the job posting
- Relevant experience and job titles
- Education and certifications
- Specific formatting structures
The more your resume aligns with the job requirements, the higher it ranks in the system. If your resume doesn’t include the correct keywords, it may not even make it to the recruiter’s desk.
More advanced systems can also assess your experience, checking for relevant job titles, education, and skills. The better your resume aligns with the job description’s keywords and format, the higher your chances of getting through the ATS and reaching a hiring manager.
How to Write a Resume for an Applicant Tracking System
Customizing your resume for each job application can be time-consuming. Using a resume template is an effective way of making quick edits and producing a professional-looking resume.
Knowing how to beat an applicant tracking system is key, and you can do it by following the steps listed below.
Use AI to optimize your entire resume for ATS
Advanced ATS software reviews your entire resume, including your skills, summary, and even your cover letter.
If these sections don’t match the job description or use the right keywords, your application may never make it past the first filter.
Try Resumecoach’s AI tools to help you align every part of your application with ATS requirements.
Use the following tools to quickly optimize your resume with an ATS resume score:
- Use our AI skills generator
- Use our AI resume summary generator
- Use our AI cover letter generator
Use an ATS-optimized resume format
Formatting is your foundation. Even if your experience is top-tier, the wrong formatting can mean the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tosses out your resume.
Here are 10 quick tips to make your resume ATS-friendly:
- Avoid headers and footers: ATS may overlook content in these areas.
- Keep language simple and clear: Avoid jargon or complex terms.
- Use standard headings: Stick to titles like “Education” and “Professional Experience.”
- Pick a clean and readable font: Choose fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
- Maintain 1-inch margins: Ensure your resume looks clean and uncluttered.
- Avoid graphics, logos, and photos: These can confuse the ATS and disrupt readability.
- Use bullet points for clarity: Bullet points make your resume easier to scan.
- Follow a consistent date format: Use formats like MM/YYYY or Month YYYY.
- Stay away from special characters: The ATS might misread them.
- Spell out acronyms: Make sure ATS and recruiters can understand them.
Identify and add ATS resume keywords
Every job post is a blueprint. Your job is to decode it. Read each job posting carefully and highlight the keywords. Below are a few examples:
- Technical Skills: (project management, SQL, data analysis, Python, Agile methodologies, machine learning)
- Soft skills: (leadership, collaboration, communication skills, problem-solving, negotiation, time management, adaptability)
- Tools and certifications: (Salesforce, PMP, Google Analytics, HubSpot, Microsoft Excel, Jira)
Make a list of the keywords and phrases you find. These are the exact terms the ATS will be scanning for.
Optimize your job roles
If a specific job title is mentioned in the job posting, try and include the same words. Do not invent job titles, as it is not worth the risk. But, if you have held the position, word the job title as it is in the job posting.
Make sure your social media profiles are consistent with your resume
Yes, employers check. Many recruiters use software to scan the LinkedIn profiles of job candidates to check whether the information on their resume and LinkedIn profile is consistent. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is aligned with the details in your resume, as discrepancies could hurt your chances.
You can use our LinkedIn profile optimization tool to make sure it’s ready to use.
How To Check if Your Resume Is ATS-Friendly
If you want to make sure your current or optimized resume is ready for a company’s ATS resume scanner, review it against the exact job posting before applying by using this checklist:
- Confirm your relevant skills and job titles use the same language as the posting.
- Go over the names, dates, contact details, and section labels to make sure there are no mistakes.
- Make sure important information is not hidden in graphics or other types of images.
Upload the finished document to the ATS resume checker in ResumeCoach’s AI resume builder. It will highlight issues that could prevent the system from reading your resume correctly.
What Does ResumeCoach’s ATS Resume Checker Analyze?
ResumeCoach’s ATS checker gives you an ATS score based on three analysis dimensions. Each one highlights what works and what you can improve before applying.
Tailoring
Tailoring measures how closely your resume matches your target role. It checks:
- Role requirements
- Relevant and missing skills
- Sector match
- Tailoring accounts for 40% of your ATS score.
Quality
Quality reviews the strength of your written content, including:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar and spelling
- Action verbs
- Quantified results
Quality represents 35% of your score.
Searchability
Searchability checks whether ATS software can easily identify and process your resume’s structure and content. It reviews how clearly your information is organized and presented.
Searchability makes up the remaining 25% of your score.
ATS Resume Checker vs. Generic ATS Scores
While there is no universal ATS score used by every employer, generic tools only give you one broad rating. ResumeCoach’s ATS checker gives you a detailed score across several areas.
| Feature | Generic ATS score | ResumeCoach’s ATS resume checker |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis | Basic formatting and keywords | Tailoring, quality, and searchability |
| Job match | Often general | Compared with your target role |
| Writing | Limited review | Checks language, errors, action verbs, and results |
| Feedback | One overall number | Weighted score with clear areas to improve |
Try our ATS resume checker and get started creating a resume that will reach recruiters and help you land interviews.
ATS Resume FAQs
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) resume is engineered to include keywords and experience in a format that is easily scannable for quick comprehension by both automated software and human recruiters.
Your ATS score shows how well the checker tool expects your resume to perform. ResumeCoach measures its target-role match, writing quality, and how easily ATS software can identify and process its content.
The main benefit of reviewing your resume before submitting it is finding problems while you can still fix them, and you can improve unclear wording, missing skills, errors, and formatting to send a stronger application.
If you would like to check your resume, upload it to ResumeCoach’s AI resume builder and use the ATS resume checker function.
You will receive an ATS score based on tailoring, content quality, and searchability, plus suggestions for improving weaker areas.
As there is no universal scoring scale, a strong result can vary between checkers. You should focus on reaching the highest score possible while reviewing each category and correcting important issues before you apply.
ResumeCoach’s ATS Checker identifies possible issues and helps you stay in control thanks to the instant suggestions our ATS resume checker function gives you. You can review each recommendation and decide whether to add it to your resume.
An ATS-friendly resume describes a finished resume that ATS software can process easily. A resume check refers to the review used to identify potential problems and improve the document before you submit an application.
Struggling with Resume Writing?
Ease the process with our templates