In today’s job market, getting your resume into the hands of a real human starts with passing through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems scan your resume for keywords, formatting, and structure before a recruiter ever sees it—so if your document isn’t optimized, you might be filtered out before you even get a shot.
Here are three simple ways to make sure your resume is ATS friendly:
1. Use Standard Fonts and Clean Formatting
Stick to easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid overly designed templates or creative layouts—these may look nice but often confuse ATS software. Since the system reads left to right, often column resumes become jumbled, so avoid those designs. Clean, professional formatting ensures your content is actually read by the system.
2. Add Keywords from the Job Description
Tailor your resume for each role by weaving in keywords from the job posting. Look for specific skills and responsibilities and incorporate them naturally into your experience and skills sections. This helps signal relevance and alignment with the role. Depending on how technical you are, you may add technical skills to your summary or have them in a separate section.
3. Skip Graphics, Tables, and Text Boxes
While these elements might enhance the visual appeal, they don’t always translate well when parsed by ATS tools. Stick with plain text and simple bullet points to ensure your content is fully scannable.
Want to make sure your resume checks all the right boxes?
We can help. Contact Avalon Employment Services to schedule a resume review or personalized job search support.
