What Is an ATS-Friendly Resume Format? (2025 Guide to Beat the Bots)

If you've ever submitted a job application and never heard back, your resume may not have made it past the ATS—the Applicant Tracking System. In 2025, nearly all medium to large employers use ATS software to scan, sort, and reject resumes before a human sees them.

So what is an ATS-friendly resume format, and how do you make one?

This guide walks you through exactly what to include, what to avoid, and how to structure your resume to make it past automated filters and land in the hands of real recruiters.

 Related: Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting Interviews (And What to Do About It in 2025)

What Is an ATS and Why Should You Care?

ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) are automated software tools that parse resumes to identify keywords, qualifications, and formatting matches.

If your resume uses confusing layouts, non-standard headings, or lacks job-specific keywords, the ATS may flag it as irrelevant—even if you’re highly qualified.

The Basics of an ATS-Friendly Resume Format

An ATS-friendly resume is:

• Simple in layout and structure
• Keyword-optimized for the job description
• Cleanly formatted with no fancy design elements

Here’s what that looks like:

 Do:

• Use a one-column layout
• Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Use clear headers: “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”
• Save as .docx or .pdf (depending on job portal guidelines)

 Don’t:

• Use tables, columns, or text boxes
• Include graphics, charts, or headshots
• Submit image-based resumes
• Overload with buzzwords not backed by experience

Pro Tip: Use Jobcamp’s Resume Builder to generate an ATS-ready resume in under 5 minutes.

Structure: What Goes Where

Your ATS-friendly resume should follow this order:

1. Contact Info (top of page, no header image)
2. Professional Summary (2–3 lines with targeted keywords)
3. Skills Section (use bullet points with key job-related terms)
4. Work Experience (reverse chronological, include job title, company, dates, achievements)
5. Education
6. Optional: Certifications, Tools/Software, Volunteer Work

How Keywords Work in ATS

The ATS is scanning for relevance. It compares your resume’s content to the job description.

Boost your keyword score by:

• Using exact phrases from the job ad (e.g., “project management,” not “handled projects”)
• Listing tools and platforms by name (e.g., “Salesforce,” “Figma,” “Python”)
• Tailoring each resume you send (Jobcamp can automate this)

Related: How Many Jobs Should You Apply to Per Day?

Formatting Pitfalls That Break ATS Parsing

Many well-designed resumes fail in ATS because:

• Icons interrupt parsing (📞for phone, ❌)
• Two-column layouts confuse the reading order
• Tables split information across cells

Stick with traditional formatting to keep things readable.

 Related: Formatting Tips to Optimize Resume Job History for ATS

FAQs: Creating an ATS-Ready Resume

1. What’s the best file type for ATS resumes?
.docx is the most universally accepted. PDFs are safe if the portal allows them.

2. Can I use Canva or graphic templates?
Avoid it. Most visual templates are not ATS-safe.

3. Should I include hyperlinks?
You can—but keep them simple (LinkedIn, portfolio) and don’t rely on them for essential info.

4. Will using color affect ATS readability?
Colors are okay if used minimally. Avoid white text on colored backgrounds.

5. How long should an ATS-friendly resume be?
1–2 pages, max. Make every line count.

Final Word: If the ATS Can’t Read It, It Doesn’t Exist

In today’s hiring world, even the most qualified candidates can be overlooked if their resume can’t be read by the system. An ATS-friendly resume makes sure your experience is seen, ranked, and considered.

 Use Jobcamp.ai to build a resume that passes every filter and stands out to every recruiter.

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