How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume
Applicant tracking systems screen most applications before a person does. Here's how to make sure yours gets through.
We Build Resume Editorial Team Updated September 18, 2026 5 min read
Use standard section headings
Label sections plainly: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills. Creative headings can confuse parsers.
Keep the layout parseable
Avoid putting key details in headers, footers, images, or text boxes. Simple columns are fine in modern systems, but your contact details should be plain text.
Mirror the job's keywords
Include the exact job title and important skills from the posting. Spell out acronyms at least once, for example "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)".
Save in the right format
PDF preserves your design and is widely accepted. Use Word (.docx) when the employer asks for it.
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