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What Is an ATS Resume and Why Does It Matter?

June 16, 20266 min read
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Over 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes. They're filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a recruiter even opens them. If your resume isn't ATS-friendly, you're losing out on interviews.

What Is an ATS?

An ATS is software that companies use to manage job applications. It scans, parses, and ranks resumes based on keywords, formatting, and relevance to the job posting. Popular ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and Taleo.

Why ATS-Friendly Resumes Matter

  • Most Fortune 500 companies use ATS
  • ATS can auto-reject resumes that don't match criteria
  • Your resume needs to speak both to machines and humans

How to Build an ATS-Optimized Resume

1. Use Standard Section Headers

ATS looks for specific headings. Use:

  • "Work Experience" (not "My Journey")
  • "Education" (not "Academic Background")
  • "Skills" (not "What I Bring")

2. Avoid Complex Formatting

  • No tables, columns, or text boxes
  • No headers or footers
  • No images or graphics
  • Use simple bullet points

3. Include Keywords from the Job Description

Read the job posting and identify key terms. If they're looking for "project management" and "stakeholder communication," include those exact phrases in your resume.

4. Use Standard Fonts

Stick to ATS-friendly fonts:

  • Arial
  • Calibri
  • Garamond
  • Times New Roman

5. Save as DOCX or PDF

Some older ATS systems struggle with PDFs. When possible, save as DOCX unless the application specifies otherwise.

Common ATS Mistakes

  • Using headers and footers for important info
  • Submitting a PDF with unselectable text
  • Using creative section titles
  • Including tables or columns
  • Using special characters instead of standard bullet points

Test Your Resume

Upload your resume to a free ATS scanner to see how it scores. Look for issues with formatting, keywords, and readability.

Key Takeaways

  • ATS filters out 75% of resumes before human review
  • Use standard section headings and simple formatting
  • Include keywords from the job description naturally
  • Avoid tables, columns, headers/footers, and images
  • Test your resume with an ATS scanner before submitting

Ready to build your resume?

Use Asan Career to create an ATS-friendly resume that gets you interviews.

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