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Expert Resume Formatting Tips to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume is essential—but even more important is ensuring it passes the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS software is designed to filter out resumes that don’t meet specific criteria, including formatting, keywords, and structure.

Many highly qualified candidates miss out on interviews because their resumes fail to pass the ATS. That’s why understanding how ATS works and tailoring your resume to meet its requirements is crucial. This guide will walk you through expert-level resume formatting tips, helping you beat the ATS and land your dream job.

If you want professional assistance, NimoHR offers expert resume writing services that are designed to optimize resumes for ATS compatibility and improve your chances of securing an interview.

Why Resume Formatting Matters for ATS

➡️ What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software tool used by employers to manage the hiring process. It automatically scans resumes and ranks them based on how well they match the job description.

According to research, up to 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS systems before they even reach a human recruiter. This makes ATS compatibility essential for getting noticed by employers.

➡️ How ATS Works

1. Keyword Matching: The ATS scans for specific keywords and phrases from the job description.
2. Format Recognition: The system identifies common resume sections like “Work Experience” and “Education.”
3. Relevance Scoring: The ATS assigns a score based on how well the resume content matches the job description.
4. Shortlisting: Resumes with higher scores are moved forward to the recruiter; low-scoring resumes are filtered out.

➡️ Why Resumes Fail ATS

1. Lack of relevant keywords
2. Complex formatting (tables, images, graphics)
3. Missing key resume sections
4. Poor file formatting (e.g., not saving as .docx or .pdf)
5. Common Resume Formatting Mistakes That Fail ATS

Many resumes are rejected because of common formatting errors that make them unreadable by ATS software:

❌ Using Fancy Fonts and Colors

ATS systems are designed to read standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman.

Non-standard fonts or colored text can confuse the ATS and lead to rejection.

❌ Including Graphics and Images

ATS systems cannot process visual elements such as logos, graphics, or images.

Even text within graphics or tables may be ignored.

❌ Poor File Type

The best file formats for ATS are .docx or .pdf.

Avoid using .jpg, .png, or .txt files as they may not be processed correctly.

❌ Unusual Section Headings

ATS software is programmed to look for standard headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”

Creative headings like “My Journey” or “What I’ve Done” may confuse the ATS.

Best Resume Formatting Tips to Pass ATS

 

1. Use a Clean and Professional Format

Your resume should have a simple, easy-to-read format that aligns with ATS requirements:
✅ Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
✅ Font size: 10–11 pt for body text, 14 pt for headings
✅ Left alignment for easy ATS reading
✅ No borders, tables, or columns

2. Follow a Reverse-Chronological Format

Most ATS systems are programmed to scan in a reverse-chronological order (most recent experience first).

Section	Order of Listing
Professional Experience	Most recent to oldest
Education	Most recent degree first
Skills	Most relevant skills first

 

Why it works:

1. ATS expects this format, making it easier to scan.
2. Recruiters prefer to see the most recent and relevant experience first.

3. Optimize for Keywords

ATS software ranks resumes based on how well the content matches the job description.
✅ Extract keywords from the job listing
✅ Use both hard skills (e.g., “Project Management”) and soft skills (e.g., “Leadership”)
✅ Include variations of keywords (e.g., “Managed Projects” and “Project Management”)

Example:

• Instead of: “Worked in sales”

• Use: “Sales Specialist managing a $1M+ client portfolio”

4. Keep Section Titles Simple

Use standard, recognizable section headings like:

• Professional Summary

• Work Experience

• Education

• Skills

Unusual section headings can confuse ATS systems and cause information to be overlooked.

5. Quantify Your Achievements

Instead of listing job duties, focus on measurable outcomes:
✅ Increased revenue by 30% in 12 months
✅ Reduced operational costs by 15%
✅ Managed a team of 10+ sales associates

Numbers and data make your resume more impactful to both ATS and recruiters.

6. Avoid Headers and Footers

ATS systems often ignore content in headers and footers.
✅ Place contact information (name, phone number, email) in the body of the document instead.

7. Use Standard File Types

• Best file types: .docx and .pdf

• Avoid: .jpeg, .png, .txt
  Non-standard formats may not be processed correctly by ATS.

Ideal Resume Structure for ATS

 

Section	Details
Header	Full name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile
Professional Summary	2–3 sentence overview highlighting experience and goals
Work Experience	Include dates, job titles, and bullet points of achievements
Education	Include degrees, institutions, and graduation dates
Skills	Include both technical and soft skills

Industry-Specific Resume Tips

 

1. IT Resume Writing Services

• List programming languages and software proficiencies.

• Highlight technical projects with specific outcomes.

• Include relevant certifications (e.g., AWS, Microsoft).

 

2. Career Change Resume Writing Services

• Focus on transferable skills.

• Create a strong summary to explain the career shift.

• Highlight skills gained from previous roles that apply to the new field.

 

3. Professional Executive Resume Services

• Emphasize leadership and strategic experience.

• Use metrics and KPIs to demonstrate impact.

• Focus on high-level decision-making and team management.

 

Why Choose NimoHR for Resume Writing Services

NimoHR provides:
✅ Professional keyword optimization
✅ Industry-specific resume formatting
✅ Focus on achievements and measurable results
✅ Increased chances of passing ATS and securing an interview

FAQs

 

Final Thoughts 

By following these expert formatting tips, you can create a resume that passes ATS and impresses recruiters. For professional help, NimoHR offers specialized services to give you a competitive edge.

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