Why ATS Matters More Than Ever
Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of startups rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. These systems automatically scan applications for keywords, formatting, and relevance before a recruiter ever sees them. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, your chances of being shortlisted are almost zero, no matter how good your qualifications are.
In 2025, job markets are more competitive than ever. With thousands of applications pouring in for a single opening, ATS ensures recruiters only spend time on candidates who match their job description. This means you must understand how ATS works — and optimize your resume accordingly.
Step 1: Use a Clean and Professional Layout
A cluttered resume with fancy graphics may look nice, but it can break ATS parsing. To ensure your resume passes the first filter:
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Avoid using tables, columns, or text boxes
- Save your file in ATS-friendly formats such as .docx or PDF
Our ATS-optimized resume templates are specifically designed to balance readability for both machines and humans, making them an excellent starting point.
Step 2: Optimize with Keywords
ATS doesn’t read your resume like a human — it scans for keyword matches. If the job posting asks for “Project Management” and your resume only says “Led teams,” the system might miss the connection. To fix this:
- Analyze the job description and highlight recurring terms
- Include both acronyms and full phrases (e.g., SEO and Search Engine Optimization)
- Place important keywords in your work experience, skills, and summary
Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally. Instead, weave them into your achievements. For example: “Managed SEO campaigns that increased organic traffic by 40%.”
Step 3: Focus on Achievements, Not Tasks
Recruiters and ATS alike value measurable results. Instead of saying “Responsible for managing a sales team”, try “Led a 10-person sales team and increased quarterly revenue by 25%.” Numbers stand out and demonstrate real impact.
Step 4: Use Standard Section Headings
ATS systems often look for specific section titles to parse your resume correctly. Stick with conventional headings:
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
Creative titles like “What I Bring to the Table” may confuse ATS and lead to missing information in your profile.
Step 5: Proofread and Test Your Resume
Even small formatting issues or typos can cause ATS rejection. Always proofread carefully and test your resume by uploading it to job sites. Check if your skills and experience appear correctly parsed. If sections appear blank or broken, revise your formatting.
Final Thoughts
Writing an ATS-friendly resume in 2025 is all about balance — you need to please both the machine and the human recruiter. By following these steps and using an ATS-focused resume builder like Resumly, you’ll improve your chances of getting noticed and landing interviews faster.