ATS-friendly résumé format: what works and what to avoid
Most large employers — including big retail and restaurant chains — run applications through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a person reads them. A clean format makes sure yours gets parsed correctly.
Do
- Use a single-column layout.
- Use standard headings: Summary, Education, Experience, Skills.
- Use common fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia.
- Put dates in a consistent format (e.g., "Jun 2025 – Aug 2025").
- Include keywords from the job posting that honestly describe you.
- Submit a Word (.docx) or text-based PDF, whichever the employer asks for.
Avoid
- Tables, text boxes, and multiple columns for key info
- Putting contact info in the header/footer area of the document
- Images, icons, charts, or skill "rating bars"
- Creative heading names like "Where I've Been"
- Scanned PDFs (they're images, not text)
How to find the right keywords
Copy the job posting, highlight repeated skills and tools, and make sure the ones you actually have appear in your Skills section and bullets, written the same way.
Quick test
Copy all the text from your PDF and paste it into a plain text editor. If it comes out in the right order and nothing is missing, an ATS can most likely read it too.
Common questions
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system is software employers use to collect, sort, and search applications. It reads the text of your résumé.
Is PDF or Word better for ATS?
Both work if the PDF is text-based. Follow the posting; if it does not say, a Word .docx is the safest choice for ATS.
Do ATS systems reject résumés automatically?
Some filter by questions or keywords. A clear format with matching keywords helps make sure a person sees your résumé.
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