How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume In 10 Easy Steps
In today's competitive job market, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they even reach human recruiters. An ATS-friendly resume increases your chances of getting shortlisted by ensuring that your application passes through automated screening successfully. If you're applying for jobs in digital marketing, IT, or any other industry, it's essential to optimize your resume for ATS.
Here’s how you can create an ATS-friendly resume that improves your job prospects.
1. Use a Simple and Clean Resume Format
✅ Stick to a professional, standard resume format (Reverse chronological or Functional)
✅ Avoid fancy fonts, graphics, tables, and images
✅ Use clear headings like "Work Experience" and "Skills" to help the ATS scan your content
2. Choose the Right Resume File Format
✅ Submit your resume in a Word document (.doc or .docx) or a plain-text format
✅ Avoid PDFs unless the job listing specifically requests one (Some ATS systems have trouble reading PDFs)
3. Include Relevant Keywords from the Job Description
✅ Scan the job posting for specific keywords related to the role (e.g., "SEO," "content marketing," "Google Ads")
✅ Incorporate these keywords naturally into your resume in the skills and experience sections
✅ Use both abbreviations and full terms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
4. Optimize Your Work Experience Section
✅ List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)
✅ Include job title, company name, location, and dates of employment
✅ Write bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements using action verbs (e.g., "Managed," "Developed," "Increased")
✅ Quantify results where possible (e.g., "Increased website traffic by 40% through SEO optimization")
5. Keep Your Resume Concise and Readable
✅ Stick to one or two pages maximum
✅ Use a professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) in 11-12 pt size
✅ Maintain one-inch margins and proper spacing for easy readability
6. Avoid Using Headers, Footers, and Special Formatting
✅ ATS may not read text in headers or footers
✅ Do not use text boxes, columns, tables, or images, as they can confuse the system
7. Include a Skills Section with Industry-Specific Terms
✅ Create a dedicated "Skills" section listing both hard and soft skills
✅ Example for digital marketing resumes:
- SEO & SEM
- Google Ads & Facebook Ads
- Content Marketing
- Social Media Strategy
- Email Marketing
- Google Analytics
8. Use Standard Resume Headings
✅ Keep it simple with headings like:
- Summary
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
9. Proofread for Spelling and Grammar Errors
✅ ATS rejects resumes with spelling mistakes (e.g., "Markting" instead of "Marketing")
✅ Use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word Spell Check to proofread before submission
10. Test Your Resume Before Submitting
✅ Copy and paste your resume into a plain-text document (Notepad) to see how it appears—this simulates how an ATS reads it
✅ Use free ATS resume scanners like Jobscan or ResumeWorded to check your resume’s ATS score
Conclusion
Creating an ATS-friendly resume ensures that your application gets noticed and increases your chances of landing an interview. By using the right format, keywords, and structure, you can successfully pass ATS screenings and stand out to recruiters. If you want to enhance your job prospects further, enrolling in the best digital marketing course in Kochi will equip you with the skills and certifications that employers are actively looking for.
