ATS-Friendly Resume Template: Beat the Bots in 2026

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that employers use to collect, organize, and filter job applications. These systems were designed to help companies manage the overwhelming number of resumes they receive—often hundreds or thousands for a single position.

Here's the reality: over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and approximately 75% of all employers use some form of ATS. This means that before a human ever sees your resume, it's likely being scanned and scored by a computer algorithm.

Understanding how these systems work is crucial to your job search success. A perfectly qualified candidate can be filtered out simply because their resume wasn't formatted correctly for ATS parsing.

How ATS Systems Work

When you submit your resume through an online job application, the ATS:

Parses your document - Extracts text and attempts to identify different sections (contact info, work experience, education, skills)

Categorizes information - Places extracted data into corresponding database fields

Searches for keywords - Compares your resume against the job description and required qualifications

Scores or ranks your application - Assigns a compatibility score based on how well you match the position

Filters candidates - Moves qualified applicants forward for human review

The most popular ATS platforms include Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS. Each has slightly different parsing capabilities, which is why following universal best practices is essential.

ATS Formatting Rules

Proper formatting is the foundation of an ATS-friendly resume. Here are the essential rules to follow:

Use a Simple, Clean Layout

Stick to a single-column layout

Avoid tables, text boxes, and graphics

Use standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills)

Keep margins between 0.5" and 1"

Use a readable font size (10-12pt for body text)

Choose ATS-Compatible Fonts

The safest fonts for ATS compatibility include:

Arial

Calibri

Garamond

Georgia

Helvetica

Times New Roman

Verdana

Avoid decorative fonts, as they may not render correctly or could be misread by parsing algorithms.

Use Standard File Formats

Best option: .docx (Word document)

Good option: .pdf (if the job posting accepts it)

Avoid: .jpg, .png, or other image formats

While PDFs are generally ATS-compatible today, some older systems still struggle with them. When in doubt, submit a .docx file.

Structure Your Content Properly

Use clear section headers that ATS systems recognize:

Professional Summary (or Summary, Profile)

Work Experience (or Professional Experience, Employment History)

Education

Skills (or Technical Skills, Core Competencies)

Certifications (or Licenses and Certifications)

Use bullet points for listing accomplishments—avoid paragraphs of dense text. Start each bullet with a strong action verb.

Keyword Optimization

Keywords are the secret to ATS success. The system is looking for specific terms that match the job requirements.

How to Find the Right Keywords

Analyze the job description - Highlight required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities

Identify repeated terms - Words mentioned multiple times are likely high priority

Note industry-specific terminology - Use the exact terms the employer uses

Include both acronyms and full terms - Example: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"

Strategic Keyword Placement

Place keywords throughout your resume, but especially in:

Professional Summary

Skills Section

Work Experience bullet points

Job Titles (if accurate)

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

While keywords are important, don't sacrifice readability. Your resume still needs to impress human reviewers once it passes ATS screening. Use keywords naturally within the context of your accomplishments.

Example: Before and After Keyword Optimization

Before (Generic):

"Managed social media accounts and created content"

After (Optimized):

"Managed B2B social media marketing across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, creating 50+ pieces of content monthly that increased engagement by 45% and generated 200+ qualified leads"

The optimized version includes relevant keywords (B2B, social media marketing, LinkedIn, content, engagement, qualified leads) while also providing specific, measurable accomplishments.

Common ATS Mistakes

Avoid these common errors that can cause ATS parsing failures:

1. Using Headers and Footers

Many ATS systems cannot read content placed in headers or footers. Keep your contact information in the main body of the document.

2. Fancy Formatting

Creative elements like icons, graphics, multiple columns, and unusual layouts confuse ATS parsers. Save the creative design for your portfolio or personal website.

3. Incorrect Section Headers

Using unconventional headers like "Where I've Worked" instead of "Work Experience" can cause the ATS to miscategorize or miss your information entirely.

4. Submitting Images

If your resume is saved as an image (or contains important information in image format), the ATS cannot extract the text at all.

5. Inconsistent Date Formats

Stick to one date format throughout your resume. "January 2024 - Present" or "01/2024 - Present" are both acceptable, but don't mix formats.

6. Using Uncommon Job Titles

If your company used creative titles (like "Customer Happiness Ninja"), add the standard equivalent in parentheses: "Customer Happiness Ninja (Customer Support Specialist)"

ATS Compatibility Checklist

Before submitting your resume, run through this checklist:

Used a standard, single-column layout

Applied an ATS-compatible font (Arial, Calibri, etc.)

Saved as .docx or .pdf (check job requirements)

Used standard section headers

Placed contact info in the main body (not header/footer)

Included relevant keywords from the job description

Used both acronyms and full terms where applicable

Avoided tables, text boxes, and graphics

Used bullet points with action verbs

Checked for consistent date formatting

Spelled out numbers zero through ten

Ran spell check and grammar check

Free ATS Template

To help you get started, we've designed our resume templates with ATS compatibility in mind. Each template in our builder follows these formatting best practices while still looking professional and polished.

Our templates include:

Classic - Traditional chronological format, maximum ATS compatibility

Modern - Clean design with subtle accents, excellent for most industries

Professional - Sophisticated layout for experienced professionals

Elegant - Refined styling for corporate environments

Sidebar - Efficient use of space while maintaining ATS readability

All of our templates are tested against major ATS platforms to ensure your resume gets through to human reviewers.

Create your ATS-friendly resume now - it's free and takes just minutes.

Final Thoughts

An ATS-optimized resume doesn't mean a boring resume. It means a well-structured, keyword-rich document that clearly communicates your qualifications. By following the guidelines in this article, you can create a resume that successfully navigates automated screening while still impressing the hiring managers who ultimately make the decision.

Remember: the goal is to get your resume into human hands. Once there, your qualifications, accomplishments, and potential will speak for themselves.