How to Check Resume for ATS Compatibility: A Step-by-Step Guide

Struggling to land interviews? Learn how to check your resume for ATS compatibility with this step-by-step guide and increase your chances of getting hired!

Ever wonder why you are not hearing back from jobs you have applied for? The problem might not be your experience and skills. It could be your resume. Most organisations now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan applications before they reach a human recruiter.

As per ResearchGate, “Applicant tracking systems are used by over 90% of employers, including most Fortune 500 companies, to filter resumes before they reach a human recruiter.” If your resume isn’t compatible with this software, it could get rejected before anyone even reads it.

That’s why to check resume for ATS compatibility is no longer optional. It has become necessary. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to check if your resume can pass through ATS filters and what changes to make if it doesn’t.

Mastering this process will give your application the visibility it deserves and get you one step closer to landing the interview.

Key Pointers of the Article:

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:

1. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are utilised by over 90% of employers to filter resumes before they reach a human recruiter.
2. Studies show that 75% of resumes are automatically rejected by ATS due to inadequate formatting, lack of keywords, or wrong file types.
3. Learning how to check resume for ATS can improve your application’s visibility and get you one step closer to landing the interview.
4. Use a simple, clean format with standard headings like Education, Experience, and Skills.
5. Avoid images, graphics, and tables that ATS systems can’t read properly.
6. Tailor your resume with relevant keywords from the job description.
7. Use online ATS resume scanners to test and improve your resume’s score before submitting.
8. Reach out to a professional resume writing service if you need an ATS-compatible resume to land your dream job.

What is ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, is software utilised by hiring managers to handle job applications. ATS screens out resumes of applicants based on relevance to the job description. This tool filters applicants based on essential key skills, background, job titles, work experience, and education. It also parses formatting, structure, and keywords.

Instead of going through each resume, employers prefer to rely on the ATS format to narrow down the prospective candidates from the pool. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it will not get an opportunity to be read by a human recruiter.

An ATS-friendly resume guarantees your work experience, education and required skills are correctly parsed and you are the ideal candidate for this job.

Why ATS Compatibility Matters

Imagine you have applied to 40 jobs, and you are hearing back from no one. This is quite stressful and disappointing, right? There is a higher possibility that your application may be rejected by the ATS software before any recruiter reviews it. What do you need to do in this situation? You need to make your resume ATS-friendly to land your dream job and avoid mental stress.

Here’s why ATS compatibility is important:

• First filter of job applications: Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS.
• Time-saving tool for recruiters: ATS allows recruiters to focus on top candidates.
• You may be qualified, but unseen: A poorly formatted or keyword-light resume will be rejected, no matter how impressive your background.

That’s why understanding how to tailor your resume for ATS is key to job-hunting success. Unfortunately, many students fall short when it comes to the skills or time needed to create an ATS-friendly resume.

If you are in the same boat, seeking help from professional resume writing services can be a smart move. Moreover, if you are racing against time, juggling job applications and looming dissertation deadlines, The Academic Papers UK is a reliable solution.

This platform supports students with everything from high-quality dissertations to ATS-optimised resumes, helping them thrive both academically and professionally.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Check Resume for ATS Compatibility

In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s not sufficient to have a lustrous and polished resume; it needs to be ATS-compatible. As per LinkedIn, 75% of resumes are automatically discarded by ATS and never seen by a human recruiter, usually due to inadequate formatting, lack of keywords, or wrong file types.

If your resume isn’t getting seen, the problem might not be your qualifications. It could be the software standing between you and your ideal job. To assist you, this detailed guide breaks down the exact steps you need to follow to check resume for ATS compatibility and land on a recruiter’s desk.

Let’s dig into the details:

1: Use a Simple and Clean Resume Format

ATS software cannot read complicated formatting. Use a plain and basic layout that showcases your skills and experience without over-designing it. You must stick to one-column formats, which are easier for ATS to parse. Here’s what to avoid and what to use:

• Tables and columns
• Text boxes
• Headers and footers
• Graphics or logos
• Fancy fonts or unusual symbols

What to Use:

• Standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Size 10–12 point font
• Standard sections: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
• Black text on a white background

2: Choose the Right File Type

Most ATS platforms prefer resumes in .docx, like Microsoft Word, or .pdf format, but not all PDFs are equal. Here’s the breakdown to help you understand how to make your resume ATS-friendly:

• .doc or .docx is universally accepted and safe.
• .pdf is also acceptable, but some older ATS systems can’t read them properly. Always check the job posting instructions.

If you are unsure, default to docx format, which offers the best compatibility.

3: Use Standard Section Headings

ATS systems look for specific section titles to extract relevant information. You can use universally recognised headings like:

• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Languages

Avoid creative or unusual labels like “What I’ve Accomplished or Done” instead of “Experience,” as the ATS software might miss that section entirely.

4: Optimise Your Resume With Keywords

Optimising your resume with keywords is one of the most crucial steps in ATS. ATS systems scan for specific keywords that match the job description. If your resume lacks those keywords, it may be filtered out.

How to Find Keywords:

• Study the job description. Look at the required skills, certifications, tools, and software.
• Highlight repeated words and phrases. These are likely important keywords.
• Include both hard and soft skills.
• Use synonyms or variations. For example, if the job says “project management,” include “project manager” or “managed projects.”

Example:

If the job description mentions:

• “Experience with CRM tools like Salesforce”
• “Excellent communication and collaboration skills”

Then your resume should include:

• “Proficient in Salesforce and HubSpot CRM”
• “Strong communication and collaboration in cross-functional teams”

This approach will help you optimise resume for ATS, but don’t just keyword-stuff. Make sure every keyword naturally fits your real experiences.

5: Match Your Job Titles and Descriptions

Some ATS systems prioritise job titles that align with the posting. If your title was “Customer Happiness Specialist,” but the job and asks for a “Customer Support Representative,” consider modifying your resume to align, but only if the roles were truly similar.

Also, use industry-standard terms in your job descriptions to increase relevancy. For example:

After (ATS-friendly):

Led digital marketing campaigns to increase online engagement by 30%

6: Include Relevant Skills in a Dedicated Skills Section

ATS software typically includes a keyword-matching feature that specifically scans your skills section. Things you need to make sure of in CV writing:

• List skills that are directly relevant to the job
• Separate hard skills from soft skills
• Include tools, platforms, and languages (e.g., JavaScript, SQL, Adobe Creative Suite)

A good strategy is to include 3–5 core competencies and 8–10 hard and soft skills.

7: Use Bullet Points Instead of Paragraphs

Bullet points are easier for both ATS and human recruiters to read. Structure your job responsibilities and achievements using short and concise points. Here is an example to help you understand better:

Good:

• Developed and implemented marketing strategies that increased website traffic by 45%
• Managed a team of five designers to deliver branding projects for corporate clients

Bad:

I was responsible for managing a team of designers and also improving traffic through marketing strategies.

The first version is clear and keyword-rich. The second is vague and harder to check resume for ATS.

8: Avoid Fancy Graphics or Design Elements

It may be tempting to add icons, colours or graphics to make your resume stand out. But these elements often confuse ATS systems and result in your resume being unreadable.

If you are applying to creative fields and want a stylish resume, keep one version for human review and a plain version for ATS.

9: Test Your Resume With Online ATS Scanners

Several free or paid tools are available to check your resume’s ATS-friendliness. These simulators give you a score based on keywords, formatting, structure, and more.

Popular ATS Checker Tools:

• Jobscan.co: This software compares your resume with the job posting and suggests improvements
• ResumeWorded: It provides actionable feedback on both ATS and recruiter criteria
• SkillSyncer: This tool checks for keyword match and ATS formatting
• Rezi: It generates ATS-optimised resumes and tests them

Use these tools to make changes until you get a high compatibility score.

10: Customise Your Resume for Each Job

While it may be tempting to use the same resume for every job, ATS works best when your resume is tailored to the specific posting. Before applying, you must make sure:

• Revisit the job description.
• Identify the top 5–10 keywords.
• Adjust your resume content accordingly.
• Highlight accomplishments that match the job’s demands.

Customising each resume boosts your chance of making it past the ATS and impressing human reviewers.

11: Recheck for Spelling, Grammar, and Consistency

While this may seem basic, even ATS software can misread words if they’re misspelled or use inconsistent tenses and formats. Checklist before submitting:

• Are all bullet points starting with an action verb?
• Is past experience written in the past tense?
• Are dates and job titles consistently formatted?
• Is your contact info readable and complete?

Clean formatting helps the system read your resume more accurately and ensures your information gets parsed correctly.

Elevate Your Application by Getting Professional Assistance

In today’s extremely competitive employment and job industry, standing out among a pool of applicants requires more than just your qualifications, skills, and domain experience. It demands a highly polished, refined, and professional presentation of your hard and soft skills, along with your work-related knowledge.

For students who have a heavy academic workload, are hunting for part-time jobs, and have social commitments, developing both hard and soft skills becomes challenging and often feels impossible. This is where expert resume writing services and academic support platforms come in handy.

Whether you want to apply for internships, training, graduate programs, or your first job, a professionally crafted resume can make a significant impression. Professionals know how to tailor your resume to meet ATS criteria and showcase their skills to urge the organisation that you are the perfect fit.

But if you are struggling with your thesis, remember that acquiring dissertation help by The Academic Papers UK proves invaluable. This platform, since 2003, offers expert guidance, research support, and timely delivery of 100% human-written content to ensure your final project meets high academic standards.

By seeking professional assistance, you not only save time but also enhance the quality of your submissions, increasing your chances of success in both academic and professional arenas.

What Percentage is Required for ATS on Resume?

There’s no fixed “passing” percentage for an ATS resume score, but most hiring managers and employers prefer a score above 80% to evaluate an applicant. Some organisations may shortlist resumes with 70% or higher, but the higher your score, the better your chances of catching a human recruiter. To improve your ATS score, you need to include keywords, avoid fancy terms and vocabulary, and format columns that may confuse the tool.

How Do I Convert My Resume to ATS?

To convert your resume into ATS format you need to remove illustrations, tables, columns and graphics. Utilise a standard, plain, clean and text-based format like Word or PDF, but only if the recruiters or hiring managers allow it.

Use common section headers like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Next, tailor your content using phrases and keywords from the job description. Avoid stuffing and overloading your resume with fancy words.

You can also use bullet points to ensure relevancy and clarity. Finally, run your resume through a free ATS resume checker to ensure its machine-readable and well-optimised for the specific role you’re targeting.

Is a 70% ATS Score Good?

A 70% ATS score is believed to be average to fair. This score can get your application into the next round, but keep in mind that it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be shortlisted, particularly in competitive and senior roles. Applicants must aim for at least 80–90% to increase their chances of getting their dream job without mental stress.

Final Words

ATS optimisation for resumes has become essential for applicants to secure a job in this fiercely competitive and demanding industry. But the actual question remains how to make your resume fall into the ATS criteria?

So, to assist students and professionals busy in a job hunt, this step-by-step guide will help you learn how to check resume for ATS and land in front of a human recruiter with ease.

Remember, dear applicant, an ATS-friendly resume does not mean you have to create a tedious or highly skilled application. It’s professional, easy to read, strategic and tailored according to the job description that will help hiring managers find the perfect fit they are looking for in their organisation.

With this method, they can choose the best applicant for their company without wasting either party’s time or effort. Therefore, you should spend time editing your resume for each opportunity, use a resume scanner, and maintain neat and professional formatting.

These small steps can lead to major results, interviews, job offers, and the career path you’ve worked hard to build.