{"id":2048,"date":"2026-03-07T09:47:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salaryfor.com\/blog\/?p=2048"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:15:14","slug":"how-to-write-a-resume-that-passes-applicant-tracking-system-ats-filters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-resume-that-passes-applicant-tracking-system-ats-filters\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Resume That Passes Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Filters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>By <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">SalaryFor.com &#8211; real salaries for all professions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today\u2019s job market, submitting a resume doesn\u2019t always mean a human will read it first. Many companies use <strong>Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)<\/strong> to scan and filter resumes before recruiters ever see them. These systems analyze resumes for keywords, formatting, and relevance to the job description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your resume isn\u2019t optimized for ATS software, it might be rejected automatically\u2014even if you\u2019re highly qualified. The good news is that with the right approach, you can create a resume that passes these filters and reaches hiring managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Use Keywords From the Job Description<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ATS software searches for specific keywords that match the job posting. These keywords often include required skills, certifications, job titles, and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your resume doesn\u2019t contain the right keywords, the system may rank it lower or reject it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What to do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carefully read the job description.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify key skills and qualifications mentioned multiple times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate those terms naturally throughout your resume.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if the job description mentions <strong>\u201cproject management,\u201d \u201cdata analysis,\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>\u201cAgile methodology,\u201d<\/strong> your resume should include those phrases if they accurately reflect your experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Choose a Simple Resume Format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While creative resumes might look impressive, complicated designs can confuse ATS software. Graphics, columns, tables, and unusual layouts can make it difficult for the system to read your information correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ATS-friendly formatting tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use a simple, single-column layout<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid graphics, charts, and images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stick to standard section headings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Clean formatting ensures the software can properly scan and interpret your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Use Standard Section Headings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicant Tracking Systems are designed to recognize common headings that organize resume information. If you use creative titles, the system may misclassify or ignore your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Use headings like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Professional Summary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work Experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certifications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid unconventional headings such as \u201cMy Journey,\u201d \u201cWhere I\u2019ve Worked,\u201d or \u201cWhat I Bring to the Table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Focus on Relevant Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ATS software often scores resumes based on how closely they match the job description. Including a dedicated <strong>Skills<\/strong> section helps ensure your core abilities are clearly identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examples of skills to include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Technical skills (software, programming languages, tools)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Industry-specific knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certifications and licenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relevant soft skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure these skills also appear naturally in your work experience descriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Avoid Headers and Footers for Important Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ATS systems cannot properly read text placed in headers or footers. If you put essential details there, they may not be captured by the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep these in the main body of the document:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email address<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LinkedIn profile<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This ensures the ATS correctly records your contact information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Use Bullet Points for Achievements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of long paragraphs, use bullet points to describe your accomplishments. This improves both ATS readability and human readability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong bullet points often include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Action verbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measurable results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specific achievements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased sales by 30% within one year through targeted marketing campaigns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managed a team of 10 employees to deliver projects ahead of schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Numbers and results make your experience more compelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Save Your Resume in the Right File Format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most ATS systems can read <strong>.docx<\/strong> and <strong>PDF<\/strong> files, but the safest choice is usually <strong>.docx<\/strong> unless the job posting specifically asks for a PDF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always follow the instructions in the job listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Tailor Your Resume for Each Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending the same resume everywhere. ATS systems rank resumes based on relevance to a specific role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Customizing your resume for each job can significantly improve your chances of passing the filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tailoring tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adjust keywords based on the job description<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlight the most relevant experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasize the skills the employer prioritizes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This small effort can make a major difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicant Tracking Systems are designed to help employers manage large volumes of applications, but they can unintentionally filter out strong candidates whose resumes aren\u2019t optimized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By using relevant keywords, simple formatting, clear section headings, and tailored content, you can greatly improve your chances of passing ATS filters and getting your resume in front of a real hiring manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A resume that works for both <strong>software and recruiters<\/strong> is one of the most powerful tools in a successful job search. \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/\">click here for more salary information<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By SalaryFor.com &#8211; real salaries for all professions In today\u2019s job market, submitting a resume doesn\u2019t always mean a human will read it first. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan and filter resumes before recruiters ever see them. These systems analyze resumes for keywords, formatting, and relevance to the job description. If [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[4090,3787],"class_list":["post-2048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-job-search-advice","tag-resume-screening","tag-resume-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2048"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2392,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048\/revisions\/2392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salaryfor.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}