The hard truth
If you're applying to jobs at mid-to-large companies and not getting responses, there's a 60%+ chance your resume is being filtered by ATS before a human sees it. Most candidates have no idea this is happening.
How ATS systems actually work
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by HR departments to filter incoming applications. They're not "reading" your resume — they're parsing it for signals: specific keywords, formatting patterns, and structural elements that match a defined criteria.
The most common ATS platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS) all work on similar principles:
- Keyword matching — does your resume contain the specific words from the job description?
- Section recognition — can the parser find your Work Experience, Education, and Skills sections?
- Date formatting — are your employment dates in a recognizable format?
- File parsing — is your resume in a format the ATS can read (PDF or Word)?
The 7 ATS resume tips that actually move the needle
01
Mirror the exact language from the job description
ATS systems match keywords literally. If the job description says 'cross-functional collaboration' and your resume says 'working with multiple teams,' it may not match. Copy the exact phrasing from the job description wherever you can do so honestly.
02
Use a clean, single-column format
Multi-column resumes, tables, headers and footers, and text boxes often cause parsing errors. ATS systems read left-to-right, top-to-bottom. Keep it simple: clean sections, standard fonts, no tables.
03
Include a keyword-dense skills section
A dedicated 'Skills' section lets you pack in role-relevant keywords without forcing them awkwardly into your experience bullets. Include both hard skills (specific tools, technologies, methodologies) and soft skills that appear in the job description.
04
Use standard section headers
ATS parsers look for standard section names. Use 'Work Experience' (not 'My Story' or 'Career History'), 'Education' (not 'Where I Learned'), 'Skills' (not 'What I Can Do'). Non-standard headers may cause the section to not be parsed correctly.
05
Quantify every bullet you can
Metrics aren't just good for humans — ATS systems score them too. 'Managed a team' scores lower than 'Managed a team of 12 across 3 regions.' Add numbers wherever you can — percentages, dollar amounts, time saved, team size, users served.
06
Match your file format to the system
Most ATS systems parse both PDF and Word, but .docx is often more reliably parsed than PDF. If a job application says 'PDF preferred' or 'Word only,' follow that instruction exactly.
07
Score your resume before submitting
Use a purpose-built ATS scanner (Zari does this) to get a score against the specific job description before you apply. Anything below 70 is likely to be filtered. Aim for 80+.
Common ATS mistakes to avoid
- Using images, icons, or graphics — ATS systems can't read them
- Putting contact information in the header (some parsers miss headers entirely)
- Using 'creative' section names that parsers don't recognize
- Sending a PDF when the company specifically requests Word (or vice versa)
- Using the same resume for every job — ATS scores drop significantly on non-tailored resumes
Score your resume against any job description
Zari's ATS scanner gives you a score and specific keyword gaps in under 5 minutes. Free to start.
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