The Anatomy of an ATS-Friendly Resume Format

Learn how to write a resume that works with applicant tracking systems.

This guide is designed to educate you on ATS (applicant tracking system) including, what it is, key features of the software, and quick tips on how to prepare your documents to aid in using these systems.

If you need help formatting your resume to ATS standards, brainstorming and building bullets, targeting your documents, and anything more related to career and life, please visit the UCM Career and Life Design Center in Ward Edwards (WDE) 1200, or call the office at 660-543-4985!

Key Takeaways

  • Unless the job posting specifies a specific file format, submit your resume as a .docx file or a text-based PDF (with a professional file name).
  • Use a clean, single-column format. Avoid multi-column layouts, tables, and text boxes, as the ATS can scramble the information.
  • Stick to universally recognized, web-safe fonts like Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Georgia, or Times New Roman.
  • Use a font size between 10 and 12 points for the body text and 14-16 points for headings.
  • Don’t put critical information (like your name, email, or phone number) in the document’s header or footer.
  • Use clear, traditional titles for each section.
  • For bullets, use standard solid or open circles or squares. Avoid custom symbols, checkmarks, or arrows.

Access The Anatomy of an ATS-Friendly Resume Format (External Resource)