The ATS-friendly resume format checklist:

Layout

  • Single column. Two-column layouts trip older parsers.
  • Reverse-chronological order. Most recent experience first.
  • Standard sections: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
  • 0.5"-1" margins. 10-12pt body text. 14-16pt headers.

Content

  • Action verbs: "Led," "shipped," "delivered," "scaled."
  • Numbers: "Reduced p95 latency 40%."
  • JD keyword mirroring: match the JD's language for skills you actually have.
  • No fluff: cut adverbs, soft-skill labels without proof, generic phrases.

File type

  • PDF (text-based). Best for most modern ATS.
  • .docx. Also fine; some legacy ATS prefer it.
  • Avoid: .pages, .odt, scanned PDFs, image-only formats.

Sections in order

  1. Header (name, contact, LinkedIn URL)
  2. Summary (optional, 2-3 lines)
  3. Experience
  4. Education
  5. Skills
  6. Certifications (if relevant)

Specific section formats

Experience:

[Company] | [City, State] | [Start – End]
[Title]
- [Bullet]
- [Bullet]

Education:

[Degree], [Major]
[University] | [Year]

Skills:

Languages: ...
Frameworks: ...
Tools: ...

What ATS doesn't like

  • Two-column layouts
  • Tables and text boxes
  • Images, headshots, logos
  • Custom fonts
  • Headers/footers (some parsers skip)
  • Unusual section names ("Where I've Worked" instead of "Experience")

Run it through a checker

Use Jobscan or Resume Worded to test parseability before sending. Or run it through the Sorce auto-tailoring — our agent surfaces the right keywords per application without you doing the manual work.

Try Sorce free. 40 swipes/day with auto-tailoring.

Applicant tracking system resume format checklist

  • Use one column.
  • Use standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
  • Avoid graphics, text boxes, logos, and important content in headers or footers.
  • Save as a text-based PDF or .docx.
  • Mirror job-description keywords only when they match real experience.

Before submitting, paste the resume and job description into the ATS resume checker.

For more: ats friendly resume, ats friendly resume template, what is ats.