Why do ATS systems reject resumes?

ATS systems reject resumes when they can't parse the content correctly. Complex formatting, graphics, unusual fonts, and non-standard headings cause parsing failures. The information either extracts incorrectly or doesn't extract at all.

Is PDF or Word better for ATS?

Modern ATS systems handle both well, but .docx is often safer. PDFs can sometimes cause parsing issues, especially if created from images or with complex formatting. When submitting to older systems, .docx is recommended.

Do all ATS systems parse the same way?

No. Each ATS (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Bullhorn, etc.) uses different parsing technology. Some handle formatting better than others. Simple, clean formatting works best across all systems.

How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Test by copying your resume into a plain text document. If it reads in the correct order with all information visible, it's likely ATS-friendly. You can also use ATS simulation tools or have your resume professionally formatted.

Why do ATS systems reject resumes?

ATS systems reject resumes when they can't parse the content correctly. Complex formatting, graphics, unusual fonts, and non-standard headings cause parsing failures. The information either extracts incorrectly or doesn't extract at all.

Is PDF or Word better for ATS?

Modern ATS systems handle both well, but .docx is often safer. PDFs can sometimes cause parsing issues, especially if created from images or with complex formatting. When submitting to older systems, .docx is recommended.

Do all ATS systems parse the same way?

No. Each ATS (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Bullhorn, etc.) uses different parsing technology. Some handle formatting better than others. Simple, clean formatting works best across all systems.

How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Test by copying your resume into a plain text document. If it reads in the correct order with all information visible, it's likely ATS-friendly. You can also use ATS simulation tools or have your resume professionally formatted.

Ats

What is ATS Resume Formatting?

Q: What is ATS resume formatting?

ATS resume formatting structures resumes so Applicant Tracking Systems can accurately parse and extract information. It involves using standard headings, simple layouts, common fonts, and avoiding elements that confuse parsers like tables, graphics, and columns.

Definition: ATS resume formatting is the practice of structuring and designing resumes in a way that allows Applicant Tracking Systems to accurately parse, extract, and categorize the candidate's information, including contact details, work history, education, and skills.

Also known as: ATS-Friendly Formatting, ATS-Optimized Resume, ATS-Compatible Format

Quick Summary

TL;DR

ATS resume formatting is the practice of structuring resumes so Applicant Tracking Systems can accurately parse and extract information. This means using standard headings, avoiding tables and graphics, using common fonts, and including relevant keywords. Well-formatted ATS resumes reach hiring managers; poorly formatted ones get lost in the system.

75% of resumes

rejected by ATS before human review

Key Facts

Best Format

Simple .docx or PDF

ATS compatibility data

Avoid

Tables, columns, graphics

Parsing limitations

Include

Standard section headings

ATS parsing rules

Impact

Determines if resume is seen

Recruiting workflow

Why ATS Formatting Matters

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human review. These systems parse resumes to extract contact info, work history, skills, and education. If a resume isn't formatted correctly, the ATS may extract garbled data, miss key information, or rank the candidate poorly. Creative designs that look impressive to humans often confuse ATS parsers, causing qualified candidates to be rejected automatically.

Common Pain Points

1Creative resume designs that ATS systems can't parse
2Key qualifications extracted incorrectly or missed entirely
3Candidates rejected without human review due to parsing errors
4Inconsistent formatting across multiple candidate resumes

How to Format ATS-Friendly Resumes

Follow these steps to ensure resumes parse correctly in any ATS.

1
Use Standard Section Headings
Stick to recognizable headings: 'Work Experience', 'Education', 'Skills'. Avoid creative alternatives like 'My Journey' or 'What I Know'.
2
Avoid Complex Formatting
Skip tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers, and graphics. ATS systems often can't read content in these elements.
3
Use Standard Fonts
Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, and similar fonts ensure consistent rendering. Avoid decorative fonts that may not parse.
4
Include Keywords
Match job posting terminology. If the job lists 'project management', use those exact words, not just 'PM' or 'managed projects'.

Result

ATS-optimized formatting ensures qualified candidates get seen by hiring managers.

ATS Formatting Deep Dive

What ATS Systems Extract

ATS parsers extract specific fields: contact information (name, email, phone, location), work history (company, title, dates, descriptions), education (school, degree, graduation date), and skills. Each ATS handles these differently—Greenhouse parses differently than Workday. Understanding parsing helps you format for maximum compatibility.

Contact Info

Name, email, phone, LinkedInTop of resume, no header

Work History

Company, title, dates, bulletsReverse chronological

Education

School, degree, yearStandard formatting

Common Formatting Mistakes

The most common ATS-breaking mistakes: putting contact info in headers (many ATS can't read headers), using two-column layouts (content reads in wrong order), embedding text in images (completely invisible to ATS), using unusual fonts (may render as gibberish), and inconsistent date formats (confuses date parsing).

Format vs Content

ATS-friendly formatting gets your resume parsed correctly, but content determines ranking. Most ATS systems score resumes based on keyword matching, recency, and relevance. After optimizing format, ensure content includes relevant keywords, quantified achievements, and matches the job requirements. Format opens the door; content closes the deal.

Common Misconceptions

Creative designs impress ATS systems
PDFs always work better than Word
Keywords alone make a resume ATS-friendly
All ATS systems work the same way

ATS-Friendly vs ATS-Breaking Elements

What to use and what to avoid
Element	ATS-Friendly	ATS-Breaking
Layout	Single column	Multiple columns
Contact Info	In body text	In header/footer
Section Headings	Standard names	Creative names
File Format	.docx or simple PDF	Image PDFs, .pages
Visual Elements	None or minimal	Graphics, charts, icons

What to use and what to avoid

Related Terms

Resume Parsing

Frequently Asked Questions

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Quick Summary

Key Facts

Why ATS Formatting Matters

Common Pain Points

How to Format ATS-Friendly Resumes

Use Standard Section Headings

Avoid Complex Formatting

Use Standard Fonts

Include Keywords

ATS Formatting Deep Dive

What ATS Systems Extract

Common Formatting Mistakes

Format vs Content

Common Misconceptions

ATS-Friendly vs ATS-Breaking Elements

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is ATS resume formatting?

2Why do ATS systems reject resumes?

3Is PDF or Word better for ATS?

4Do all ATS systems parse the same way?

5How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Related Resources

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Automate ATS-Friendly Formatting