Don't get filtered out. How to write a resume that actually gets seen.

Employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen and rank resumes by relevant experience and keywords against specific job requirements.

If you follow these five rules, you’ll be ahead of 90% of other applicants:

Feature	The ATS Requirement
Columns	Stick to one column only.
Borders	Avoid horizontal or vertical lines that cross the page.
Bullet Points	Use standard circles or squares (no custom icons/emojis).
Dates	Use standard formats like "MM/YYYY" or "Month YYYY".
Keywords	Match at least 70% of the hard skills listed in the job post.

Checklist for an ATS-friendly resume.

Match keywords and industry standards
- Mirror the Job Description: Use the exact keywords found in the "Requirements" or "Skills" section of the job posting. If they ask for "Python Programming," don't just write "Coding." Match at least 70% of the hard skills listed in the job description.
- Use Standard Section Headers: Stick to traditional resume headings like Experience, Education, and Skills. Creative titles like "Where I’ve Been" or "My Superpowers" can confuse the system.
- Balance Acronyms and Long-form: Use both "Project Management Professional" and "PMP" to ensure you hit whichever keyword the recruiter programmed.
Keep the formatting "clean"
- Avoid the "Columns" Trap: While two-column resumes look modern, many older ATS read left-to-right across the whole page, scrambling your text into a word salad. Stick to a single-column layout.
- Ditch the Graphics: Avoid tables, text boxes, and images. The ATS cannot "read" images and often skips text inside boxes.
- Use Standard Fonts: Stick to "web-safe" fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Decorative fonts might not be recognized, resulting in your resume appearing as gibberish.
Technical Best Practices
- The .docx vs. .pdf Debate: When uploading your resume, use a Microsoft Word (.docx) file unless the website specifically asks for a PDF. If you prefer using a PDF, test it first: if you can't click and drag your mouse to highlight the words on the page, the hiring system won't be able to 'see' your experience either."
- Avoid the Header/Footer Trap: Put your contact details directly in the main body of the page. Some tracking systems skip headers and footers entirely—don't let a formatting glitch stand between you and an interview!
- Check Your "File Name": Save your file as Firstname_Lastname_Resume.docx rather than Resume_Final_v2. It helps with searchability once you're in the system.

Check your resume's match rate and searchability to job postings using JobScan