ATS-Friendly Resume Tips: Pass Automated Screening in 2026

Published July 2, 2026 · 8 min read

Over 75% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume isn't optimized for these automated parsers, you could be the most qualified candidate and still never get an interview. This guide covers 11 actionable tips to make your resume ATS-friendly and score 90+ on automated scans.

Did you know? My Digital Identity's built-in ATS scanner evaluates your resume across 10 weighted criteria — keyword density, section headers, quantified achievements, action verbs, contact completeness, and more — giving you a score out of 100 with specific improvement suggestions. Check your ATS score for free.

What is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that employers use to collect, sort, and rank job applications. When you submit a resume, the ATS parses its text, extracts key fields (name, contact info, work history, skills, education), and scores it against the job description. Resumes that score above a threshold move to a recruiter's review pile; the rest are filtered out.

The challenge: ATS parsers are not as smart as humans. They expect clean, predictable formatting. Fancy columns, graphics, and unconventional layouts can confuse them — causing your resume to be misread or rejected entirely.

11 ATS-Friendly Resume Tips

1 Use Standard Section Headings

ATS parsers look for specific headings to categorize your information. Use plain, conventional labels: Experience, Education, Skills, Projects, Certifications. Avoid creative names like "Where I've Worked" or "My Toolbox."

2 Include Relevant Keywords from the Job Description

ATS scoring is heavily driven by keyword matching. Before applying, scan the job description for key terms — required skills, technologies, certifications, and industry jargon. Ensure those keywords appear naturally in your resume, especially in the skills section and experience descriptions. If the job asks for "React, TypeScript, and AWS," those exact terms should be on your resume.

3 Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers are the most ATS-friendly content. Replace vague statements with specific metrics:

"Improved website performance" → "Improved page load speed by 40%, reducing bounce rate by 15%"
"Managed a team" → "Led a team of 5 engineers, delivering 3 major releases on schedule"
"Increased sales" → "Generated $200K in additional revenue through targeted email campaigns"

4 Use Action Verbs

ATS systems (and recruiters) favor resumes that use strong action verbs. Start each bullet point with verbs like: Developed, Implemented, Designed, Led, Optimized, Architected, Built, Delivered, Managed, Launched. Avoid passive constructions like "Was responsible for."

      ATS tip: My Digital Identity's ATS scanner checks for 40+ action verbs across your experience and project descriptions. If you're missing action verbs, your score drops — and the scanner tells you exactly which sections need improvement.
    

5 Stick to a Single-Column Layout

Multi-column layouts, tables, and sidebars look great to humans but can break ATS parsers. The parser reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom. If your sidebar content (skills, contact info) appears before your main experience, the ATS may misorder or lose information. When in doubt, use a clean single-column format.

6 Save as PDF (with Standard Fonts)

Most ATS systems prefer PDF over DOCX. However, not all PDFs are equal. Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and avoid special characters or embedded graphics. Generate your PDF from a tool that produces text-searchable output — My Digital Identity's resume builder generates ATS-optimized PDFs automatically.

7 Include a Skills Section with 8+ Relevant Skills

ATS systems heavily weight the skills section. List at least 8-10 skills relevant to your target role. Group them by category (Languages, Frameworks, Tools) for readability. The more skills you list that match the job description, the higher your keyword match score.

8 Keep Your Contact Section Complete

An ATS-friendly resume always includes: full name, email address, phone number, location (city/state), and LinkedIn URL or portfolio link. Missing contact information is one of the most common ATS deductions. My Digital Identity's ATS scanner checks for all five contact fields.

9 Avoid Headers and Footers

Many ATS parsers cannot read text placed in document headers and footers. Put your name and contact information in the main body of the document, not in a header/footer section. Some modern ATS tools handle this, but it's safer to avoid the risk.

10 Include Both Experience and Education Sections

ATS scoring often requires at least one experience entry and one education entry. Even if you're a recent graduate, list relevant internships, projects, or volunteer work under experience. Missing one of these core sections can reduce your ATS score significantly.

11 Run Your Resume Through an ATS Checker Before Applying

Before submitting any application, test your resume with an ATS scanner. My Digital Identity's ATS score tool evaluates your resume across 10 weighted criteria: keyword density, section headers, quantified achievements, action verbs, contact completeness, and more. You'll get a score out of 100 with a list of specific, actionable improvements.

      Quick checklist before submitting: Does your resume have at least 5 relevant keywords from the job description? Are your bullet points quantified? Do you use action verbs? Is the format single-column? Have you included contact info, skills (8+), experience, and education? If you answered "no" to any, optimize before clicking submit.
    

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

Using tables or columns — confuses parsers, causing scrambled text
Including images or icons — ATS can't read text embedded in images
Submitting in the wrong format — always use PDF unless the job posting specifies otherwise
Using uncommon fonts — stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
Omitting dates — every role and degree needs a month/year range
Submitting without proofreading — typos confuse parsers and signal carelessness

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ATS systems prefer PDF or DOCX?

Most modern ATS tools handle both, but PDF is generally safer because it preserves formatting across operating systems. Generate your PDF from text-based input (not scanned images) to ensure the text is selectable and searchable.

Should I customize my resume for every job application?

Yes — especially the skills section and experience bullet points. ATS systems score each resume against the specific job description. The closer your keyword match, the higher your score. Most successful candidates customize their resume for at least the top 10 roles they apply for.

What's a good ATS score?

Scores of 80+ are considered strong, 90+ are excellent. My Digital Identity's ATS scanner provides detailed breakdowns so you know exactly which criteria to improve. Most candidates improve by 15-25 points after one optimization pass.

Check Your ATS Score Free →