10 Essential Tips for an ATS-Friendly Professional Resume in 2023

In today's competitive job market, your resume needs to impress not just hiring managers, but also the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that screen applications before human eyes ever see them. According to recent studies, over 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS software before reaching a hiring manager. Creating an ATS-friendly professional resume is no longer optional—it's essential.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through 10 proven strategies to optimize your resume for ATS while maintaining the professional quality that impresses hiring managers.

1. Use a Clean, Simple Resume Format

ATS software works best with straightforward, traditional resume formats. Fancy designs, graphics, and unconventional layouts can confuse the system and cause your information to be misread or ignored.

Best Practices:

• Choose a chronological or hybrid resume format
• Use standard section headings (e.g., "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills")
• Avoid tables, columns, headers, footers, text boxes, and images
• Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• Use bullet points rather than paragraphs for better readability

2. Choose the Right File Format

Not all file formats are created equal when it comes to ATS compatibility. Some formats preserve your formatting and content better than others when processed by ATS software.

Recommended File Formats:

• .docx (Microsoft Word): Highly compatible with most ATS systems
• .pdf: Generally good, but ensure it's a text-based PDF (not scanned)

Avoid file formats like .jpg, .png, .txt, or specialized formats like Apple Pages or Google Docs unless specifically requested.

3. Optimize for Keywords

ATS systems scan resumes for relevant keywords to determine if a candidate matches the job requirements. Strategic keyword placement is crucial for achieving a high ATS score.

Keyword Optimization Tips:

• Carefully analyze the job description for key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities
• Include exact keyword matches where possible (e.g., "project management" instead of "managing projects")
• Use both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
• Incorporate industry-specific terminology relevant to the position
• Place keywords in prominent positions like section headings and the first bullet points of job descriptions

4. Use Standard Section Headings

ATS systems are programmed to look for standard section headings to categorize your information correctly. Creative or unusual headings might confuse the system.

Recommended Section Headings:

• "Work Experience" or "Professional Experience" (not "Where I've Made an Impact")
• "Education" (not "Learning Journey")
• "Skills" or "Technical Skills" (not "My Toolkit")
• "Certifications" or "Professional Certifications"
• "Summary" or "Professional Summary"

5. Include a Targeted Professional Summary

A well-crafted professional summary at the top of your resume serves two purposes: it gives the ATS a concentrated dose of keywords and provides hiring managers with a quick overview of your qualifications.

Professional Summary Best Practices:

• Keep it concise (3-5 lines)
• Tailor it specifically to the job you're applying for
• Include your years of experience, key skills, and notable achievements
• Incorporate 4-6 relevant keywords from the job description

6. Quantify Your Achievements

While ATS systems focus on keywords, human reviewers look for concrete evidence of your capabilities. Quantifying your achievements helps your resume stand out once it passes the ATS screening.

Examples of Quantified Achievements:

• "Increased sales by 27% within 6 months by implementing a new CRM system"
• "Managed a team of 12 developers across 3 international offices"
• "Reduced customer complaint rate by 35% through improved training procedures"
• "Completed 15 projects under budget with an average savings of 12%"

7. Create a Comprehensive Skills Section

A dedicated skills section provides an opportunity to include important keywords that might not naturally fit into your work experience descriptions.

Skills Section Tips:

• Organize skills by category (e.g., Technical Skills, Soft Skills, Industry Knowledge)
• Include both hard skills (e.g., programming languages, software) and soft skills (e.g., leadership, communication)
• List skills in order of relevance to the position
• Be specific about your proficiency level when appropriate

8. Use Proper Job Titles

Job titles are heavily weighted in ATS algorithms. Using standardized job titles helps ensure your experience is properly categorized and matched to the position.

Job Title Best Practices:

• Use industry-standard job titles even if your official title was different
• If your actual title was unusual, include both: "Senior Code Wizard (Senior Software Developer)"
• Avoid using abbreviations in job titles
• Ensure job titles accurately reflect your level of responsibility

9. Include Location Information

Many ATS systems filter candidates based on location. Including your location information helps ensure you're not filtered out based on geographic preferences.

Location Information Tips:

• Include your city and state in your contact information
• For remote positions, consider adding "Open to Remote Work" or "Remote Worker"
• If you're willing to relocate, mention this in your summary or cover letter

10. Proofread and Test Your Resume

Spelling and grammatical errors can affect how ATS systems process your resume. Additionally, testing your resume with ATS simulation tools can help identify potential issues before you submit your application.

Final Check Tips:

• Use spelling and grammar checking tools
• Have someone else review your resume
• Test your resume with ResumeFlight's ATS simulator
• Check that all links (e.g., LinkedIn profile) are working properly
• Ensure your contact information is current and professional

Conclusion: Balance ATS Optimization with Human Appeal

Creating an ATS-friendly professional resume is about finding the right balance between optimizing for automated systems and crafting content that resonates with human readers. By following these 10 essential tips, you can create a resume that successfully navigates ATS screening while still showcasing your unique value to potential employers.

Remember that while ATS optimization is crucial, the ultimate goal is to impress the hiring manager once your resume reaches human eyes. Focus on clearly communicating your achievements, skills, and qualifications in a way that demonstrates your potential value to the organization.

With ResumeFlight, you can create a resume that's both ATS-friendly and professionally appealing, significantly increasing your chances of landing interviews for your target positions.