With the rise of AI in recruitment, optimizing your resume or CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is essential. Many employers now use ATS to filter resumes, and without the right keywords or format, yours could be overlooked.
ATS plays a crucial role in identifying qualified candidates. Currently, 70% of large companies and 20% of small to mid-sized businesses use ATS. Additionally, 75% of recruiters rely on ATS or other tech-driven tool to review applicants, and 94% agree that ATS has improved their hiring processes.
Resume specialists and resume writing services providers suggests that beyond filtering resumes, ATS can automatically reject candidates based on specific criteria, such as work authorization, impacting around 16% of applications. Depending on the software, it can also analyze resumes, rank applications, and assist recruiters in selecting the best candidates.This article will guide you on creating an ATS-friendly resume, ensuring it appears in hiring managers’ searches for qualified candidates.
1. Understanding ATS and AI in Recruitment
What is an ATS and how does it work?
An Applicant Tracking System(ATS) is a software used by a recruiter to scan, filter, and rank job applications. It works by:
- Parsing resume into database
- Searching for specific keywords related to the job
- Filtering out resume that don’t meet the job requirements
- Rank application based on relevance formatting.
How AI is revolutionizing resume screening in 2025
In 2025, AI-powered ATS system go beyond keyword matching by:
- Analyse context instead of just scanning words, AI evaluates how skills and experience are presented
- Predicting job success: AI predicts candidate suitability based on their past work and career trajectory.
- Evaluation soft skills: AI detect personality traits from the language used in the resume
- Biased reduction: Ai aims to remove biases in hiring by focusing on skills over demographic factors (although still is debated)
Common reason why Resumes get rejected
- Incorrect formatting: (tables, column, graphic that ATS can’t read)
- Missing keywords from the description
- Unrecognized fonts or format or file format
- Irrelevant or outdated work experience.
2. Choosing the Right Resume Format
Professional resume writers from resume writing services Boston has the following advice for job seekers:
ATS friendly Resume formats for ATS.
The best resume formats for ATS are in 2025 are:
- Reverse chronological format: List experience from most recent to oldest. Best for traditional job applications.
- Hybrid format: Combines a skill-base approach with chronological work experience. Best for career changers or those with gaps
Avoid the following.
- Functional Resumes (ATS struggle with skills-first resumes)
- Creative resumes with images, infographics, or excessive styling.
Why complex layout should be avoided
ATS software can not read
- Tables
- Column
- Check boxes
- Graphical elements
This can lead to misinterpretation or missing information in your application.
Use standard section heading
Instead of creative section names like
- My career journey
- Awesome skills I have
Use
- “Work experience”
- “Skills”
- “Education”
This ensures ATS recognises the section correctly.
3. Keyword Optimization
How to find the right keyword
- Extract keyword from job description:
- Use a mix of industry-specific and role specific keywords
- Include variation of keywords (e.g, “SEO writing”, and “Search Engine Optimization”
Where to place keywords
- In your professional summary
- In your skills section
- Within job description and achievements.
Avoid keywords stuffing
Example:
- Wrong: “Marketing expert with marketing skills in marketing campaigns using digital marketing strategies.”
- Right: “Executed digital marketing campaigns, improving SEO rankings and social media engagement by 40%.”
4. Tailoring Your CV for Each Application
How To Customise Your Resume for Every Job
- Mirror the job description language while staying authentic.
- Highlight only the most relevant experience and skills
- Emphasize industry specific certificates.
Example:
If a job posting asks for “project management skills”, ensure your resume includes that exact phrase instead of a variation like “handled projects.
5. Formatting Best Practices for ATS
Los Angeles resume writer have these ATS resume formatting tips to create a clear, well-structured resume that is easily readable by both humans and applicant tracking systems. An ATS-friendly resume is designed for seamless scanning and interpretation, ensuring your information is accurately processed.
- Use Standard Fonts: Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in black. Avoid decorative or Script fonts like Comic Scans or Courier.
- Keep a Simple Layout: Avoid headers, tables, columns, or graphics.
- Use bullet points: Use simple bullet points for clarity and avoid special symbols, ensuring your resume is ATS-friendly and easy to scan.
- Follow a Logical Order: Start with contact info, followed by a summary, work experience, education, and skills.
- Use Keywords: Match relevant terms from the job description.
- Save in the Right Format: Preferably .docx, unless specified otherwise.
Following these guidelines increases your chances of passing ATS screening and reaching recruiters.
6. Structuring Key Sections
ATS systems struggle with overly complex or creative language. To ensure proper processing, use clear, standard headings and straightforward terminology. Avoid unconventional section titles or excessive formatting, as they can disrupt the system’s ability to read your information accurately.A well-structured ATS-friendly resume allows for easy scanning and interpretation by the system. With these guidelines you can make a well structured resume on your own!
1.Contact information
- Full name
- Professional email
- Phone number
Avoid Including
- Photos
- Graphics
2.Professional Summary (2-3 sentences)
A short keyword rich introduction summarising your experience.
Example:
Digital marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in SEO, PPC, and content strategy. Proven success in increasing web traffic and engagement through data-driven campaigns
3.Work experience point(Use bullet points;
- Use action verbs (e.g, Led, Developed, Manage)
- Quantify achievements (e.g “increased sales by 40%”
4.Skills Section:
Hiring managers search for candidates using skill-related keywords, not just job titles. Identify these keywords in the job description and incorporate relevant ones into your resume.
5.Education and certification: Clearly state degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework like PMP, Google Analytics, etc.
7. Avoiding ATS Pitfalls
To enhance your resume’s compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), consider the following guidelines
- Skip Graphics & Text Boxes – ATS may misread or ignore them. Use a clean, text-based format.
- Avoid Headers & Footers – ATS may not recognize key details placed here. Keep all critical info in the main body.
- No Experience? Highlight Transferable Skills – Focus on coursework, certifications, internships, or volunteer work.
- You should avoid using two-column resume formats, as some ATS may have trouble reading them.
8. The Role of AI in CV Screening (2025 Trends)
The recruitment landscape has changed significantly in recent years and will keep evolving with new innovations in 2025, such as the following.
1.Soft Skills & Cultural Fit Assessment: AI now evaluates candidates’ soft skills and cultural fit by analyzing resume language, going beyond traditional keyword matching.
2. Rise of Multimedia Resumes: Video resumes and digital portfolios are becoming more common, allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a dynamic way.
3. LinkedIn Optimization is Key: Many AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) now analyze LinkedIn profiles alongside traditional resume or CVs, making LinkedIn optimization crucial for job seekers..
9. Testing Your CV for ATS Compatibility
To check if your resume is ATS-friendly.
- Run it through free ATS resume checker tools like:
- Jobscan
- ResumeWorded
- Check Keyword Match – Aim for 80%+ alignment with the job description.
- Verify Formatting – Save as plain text to ensure proper ATS parsing.
10. Final Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid Keep
- Keep your CV concise (1-2 pages).
- Prioritise clarity over aesthetic.
- Regularly update your resume based on new industry trends.
- Remember the “Three Ps”: review, revise, and proofread.
- Ensure consistency in formatting, font size, and style.
- Match the language in your resume to the wording used in the job description.
- Avoid headers, footers, graphics, tables, images, or symbols to prevent ATS errors.
- Use simple formatting for better readability.
- Stick to standard section headings like “Work Experience” or “Education.”
By following these strategies, your ATS-optimized resume will increase your chances of passing the initial screening and landing interviews in 2025!
Conclusion:
In 2025, an ATS-optimized resume is essential for job seekers. By using the right format, incorporating relevant keywords, and avoiding complex layouts, you can improve your chances of passing AI-driven screenings. Additionally, adapting to trends like LinkedIn optimization and multimedia resumes can give you an edge. Keep your resume clear, updated, and tailored for each job to maximize your opportunities.