How do you get your resume past an ATS system?
Optimize your resume by matching keywords from the job description, using standard section headers, avoiding tables and graphics that ATS systems cannot parse, and submitting in Word or PDF format as instructed. ATS systems filter resumes before a human sees them, and keyword matching is the primary mechanism.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software platforms that manage the hiring workflow for most medium and large employers. They collect applications, store candidate information, and — critically — filter and rank resumes before a human recruiter reviews them. Understanding how ATS systems work and how to optimize your resume for them is a prerequisite for any job search targeting companies with formal recruiting processes.
How ATS Systems Work
ATS systems perform several functions in the application process. When you submit a resume, the ATS parses it — extracting text and attempting to categorize it into fields like work experience, education, skills, and contact information. It then compares your resume against the job requirements, typically through keyword matching.
Recruiters then sort and filter the candidate pool using the ATS. They may search for candidates with specific keywords, filter by years of experience, or rank candidates by a score the ATS calculates.
The result: resumes that use the right keywords in standard formats get seen. Resumes with incorrect formatting, missing keywords, or unconventional structures may rank low or fail to display correctly.
"The number of qualified candidates who never make it to my screen because their resume did not parse correctly in the ATS is genuinely frustrating. I will never see those candidates. Formatting is not cosmetic — it determines who I can evaluate." — Corporate Recruiter, enterprise technology company
Keyword Optimization
How to Identify the Right Keywords
Read the job description carefully and identify:
- Technical skills and tools specifically named (Python, AWS, Kubernetes, Salesforce)
- Role-specific competencies (product roadmap, A/B testing, distributed systems, stakeholder management)
- Credentials or certifications mentioned
- Industry terminology specific to the domain
Compare these against your resume. Every keyword in the job description that is genuinely relevant to your experience should appear in your resume.
Placement Matters
Keywords that appear in your skills section, job titles, and work descriptions carry the most weight. Keywords only in a summary paragraph may be deprioritized. For critical keywords, ensure they appear in the context of your actual work experience, not just in a list.
Matching Exactly vs. Using Synonyms
ATS systems vary in their sophistication. Some will match "machine learning" with "ML" or "deep learning" but others will not. When in doubt, use the exact terminology from the job description rather than a synonym.
Formatting for ATS Compatibility
What to Avoid
| Element | Why to Avoid | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Tables with multiple columns | ATS often reads columns sequentially, mixing content | Use single-column layout |
| Headers and footers for contact info | Some parsers miss content in headers | Put contact info in the main body |
| Text boxes | Text inside boxes may not be parsed | Remove all text boxes |
| Graphs and charts | Images are not readable by ATS | Use text-based descriptions |
| Unusual section names | "Where I've been" instead of "Work Experience" | Use standard headers: Work Experience, Education, Skills |
| Fancy fonts | Some fonts do not parse correctly | Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) |
What to Use
- Single-column layout or simple two-column only for clearly separated sections
- Standard section headers
- Clean bullet points for work descriptions
- Dates in consistent format (MM/YYYY or Month YYYY)
- Metrics and numbers spelled out where possible (35% reduction vs. thirty-five percent reduction — both work, but be consistent)
File Format
Submit in the format the application explicitly requests. When no format is specified:
- PDF: preserves formatting consistently but some older ATS systems parse it less reliably
- Word (.docx): highest ATS compatibility; formatting can vary across systems but text parsing is most reliable
Never submit as a text file, image, or unusual format.
Tailoring Your Resume for Each Role
The highest-impact ATS optimization strategy is tailoring your resume for each specific role. This does not mean rewriting it entirely — it means:
- Reading the job description and identifying the five most important keywords
- Ensuring those keywords appear in your resume in the context of your actual experience
- Adjusting your summary or skills section to reflect the specific language of this posting
A version of your resume that is 80% static (your actual experience) and 20% tailored (specific language matching the job posting) is significantly more effective than a single generic resume.
ATS vs. Human Review
After ATS screening, a human recruiter reviews filtered resumes. Optimize for both:
ATS optimization — keywords, formatting, structure Human optimization — clarity, quantified accomplishments, professional narrative
A resume that passes ATS but reads poorly will fail at the human review stage. Both optimizations matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does keyword stuffing work on ATS? Inserting keywords that are not genuinely part of your experience may pass ATS screening but will fail human review when the recruiter asks about them in the screening call. More sophisticated ATS systems also penalize obvious keyword stuffing. Only include keywords for skills and experiences you genuinely have.
How do I know which ATS system a company uses? You generally cannot know for certain. Common systems include Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, iCIMS, Taleo, and BambooHR. Most major ATS platforms handle PDFs and Word documents well. Optimizing for standard formatting guidelines is sufficient without targeting a specific platform.
Does a strong referral bypass ATS screening? Yes. When an internal employee refers you, your resume typically bypasses the ATS filter and goes directly to a recruiter. This is one of the strongest advantages of networking and referrals — it eliminates the most unpredictable step in the application process.
References
- Kessler, R. (2014). Competency-Based Interviews: How to Master the Tough Interview Style Used by the Fortune 500s. Career Press.
- Society for Human Resource Management. (2023). Technology in Hiring: How AI and ATS Systems Are Changing Recruitment. SHRM.
- LinkedIn Talent Solutions. (2023). Future of Recruiting Report. LinkedIn.
- Campion, M. A., Campion, E. D., & Campion, M. A. (2019). Improvements in performance management through the use of AI. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 12(4), 553-558.
- Levashina, J., & Campion, M. A. (2006). A model of faking likelihood in the employment interview. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 14(4), 299-316.