How to Pass ATS: Everything You Need to Get Your Resume Through Automated Screening

Your resume might be perfect, but if it doesn't pass ATS, no human will ever see it. Applicant Tracking Systems screen most job applications before recruiters review them, rejecting an estimated 75% of resumes before human eyes ever get involved. Understanding how to pass ATS is no longer optional—it's fundamental to job searching. For comprehensive strategies, see our guide on how to beat ATS.

Passing ATS isn't about tricks or gaming the system. It's about presenting your genuine qualifications in a format these systems can read correctly and matching your experience to job requirements effectively. The same resume that passes ATS screening is also easier for humans to read—these goals align.

This comprehensive guide teaches you everything about passing ATS. You'll learn how these systems work, how to format your resume for successful parsing, how to optimize keywords, and how to test your resume before submitting. Apply these principles and your resume will reach human reviewers consistently.

Understanding How ATS Screens Resumes

Knowing how ATS works reveals what you need to do to pass. The screening process involves multiple stages.

ATS first parses your resume—extracting text and categorizing it into fields like contact information, work experience, education, and skills. Parsing accuracy depends heavily on formatting. Complex layouts, unusual fonts, and non-standard section headers can cause parsing failures that miscategorize or lose information.

After parsing, ATS compares your resume against job requirements. It looks for keyword matches—specific skills, qualifications, and terms from the job description. Your match rate (what percentage of requirements you meet) determines whether you advance. Different systems use different algorithms, but keywords are central to all of them.

Some ATS rank candidates beyond simple matching. They score based on keyword density, relevance of keyword context, years of experience, and other factors. Higher-ranking candidates are prioritized for human review. This means optimization beyond minimal passing matters.

Different companies use different ATS platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS, Taleo, etc.). Each parses slightly differently. This is why universal best practices—simple formatting, keyword optimization, standard conventions—matter more than trying to game any specific system.

• ATS parses resume text into structured fields
• Formatting affects parsing accuracy significantly
• Keywords are matched against job requirements
• Match rates determine advancement to human review
• Some systems rank candidates, not just filter
• Different companies use different ATS platforms
• Universal best practices work across all systems
• Parsing must succeed before matching can work
• Complex formatting often causes parsing failures
• Both passing and ranking matter for best results

Need a stronger resume first? See our how to beat ATS. Also check ATS keywords list.

Formatting Your Resume for ATS

Formatting is where most ATS failures happen. Following these guidelines ensures your resume parses correctly.

Use a simple, single-column layout. Two-column designs, tables, and complex formatting confuse ATS parsers. Information gets scrambled or lost. Stick with a straightforward top-to-bottom layout that any system can read.

Stick with standard section headers. Use "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills"—not creative alternatives like "Where I've Made an Impact" or "My Journey." ATS expects conventional labels and may miscategorize content with unusual headers.

Avoid headers, footers, and text boxes for important content. Many ATS skip these elements entirely. Contact information in a header might not be captured. Put everything in the main document body.

Choose ATS-safe fonts. Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, and Georgia render reliably across systems. Unusual or decorative fonts might not display correctly, potentially making your resume unreadable.

Save in the right format. DOCX typically parses most reliably. PDF works with most modern systems but can cause issues with older ones. Check if the job posting specifies a format; follow their instructions.

• Use single-column, simple layout
• Standard section headers only
• No tables, text boxes, or multi-column designs
• Keep contact info in main body, not header/footer
• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Font size 10-12 points
• Save as DOCX unless specified otherwise
• No images, graphics, or logos
• Use standard bullet points
• Test by pasting into plain text editor

Keyword Optimization for ATS

Keywords determine whether your resume matches job requirements. Strategic optimization improves your match rate.

Extract keywords from job descriptions. Read postings carefully and identify required skills, qualifications, tools, certifications, and experience mentioned. These are the keywords ATS will search for—see our ATS keywords list for industry-specific examples. Create a list for each job you're targeting.

Use exact phrases from job descriptions. If the posting says "project management," use that exact phrase, not "managing projects." While some ATS recognize synonyms, exact matching is safest. Mirror their language precisely.

Include keywords in context. Modern ATS understand that keywords in meaningful sentences differ from keyword lists. "Led project management for 5-person team" is stronger than just listing "project management" as a skill. Show keywords in action.

Include both acronyms and spelled-out versions. Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" to catch searches for either form. The same applies to certifications, technologies, and industry terms with common abbreviations.

Don't keyword stuff. Cramming keywords unnaturally triggers detection in sophisticated ATS and will certainly fail human review if you pass screening. Keywords should appear naturally in descriptions of your genuine experience.

• Extract keywords directly from job descriptions
• Use exact phrases from postings
• Put keywords in context, not just lists
• Include acronyms and spelled-out versions
• Don't stuff keywords unnaturally
• Focus on required qualifications first
• Include technical skills by specific name
• Keywords should appear multiple times naturally
• Skills section and experience bullets should align
• Each application may need keyword adjustments

Testing Your Resume Before Submitting

Don't submit applications without testing. Verification prevents avoidable screening failures.

Use the plain text test. Copy your resume and paste it into a basic text editor (Notepad on Windows, TextEdit in plain text mode on Mac). If information appears scrambled, out of order, or missing, ATS will have the same problems. This simple test reveals formatting issues.

Run your resume through ATS simulation tools. Several online tools—including AI resume builders—analyze resume formatting and keyword matching. They show how your resume parses and identify potential problems. While no simulator perfectly replicates all ATS, they catch common issues.

Compare your resume against the job description manually. Go through each requirement and verify your resume includes relevant keywords and experience. This systematic check catches gaps that automated tools might miss.

Iterate based on test results. Fix identified problems, then test again. Resume optimization is a process—multiple rounds of testing and refinement produce the best results.

• Test with plain text copy-paste
• Use ATS simulation tools for analysis
• Manually compare resume to job requirements
• Fix issues and re-test
• Test each major resume version
• Verify keywords appear in parseable locations
• Check that contact info is captured correctly
• Ensure dates and formatting are consistent
• Test different file formats if needed
• Document what works for future applications

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

Certain mistakes consistently cause ATS problems. Avoiding them improves your pass rate.

Creative formatting is the most common mistake. Infographic resumes, unusual layouts, and design-heavy approaches might impress humans but fail ATS parsing. Save creativity for portfolios and use straightforward formatting for applications.

Hiding keywords in white text or microscopic font doesn't work. Modern ATS detect these manipulation attempts. They may flag your application for review or rejection. Even if you pass ATS, humans will see the trickery.

Using images for important content guarantees parsing failure. Logos, graphical headers, and image-based section dividers can't be parsed. If it's important, it should be text.

Inconsistent formatting creates parsing confusion. If you format dates as "Jan 2020" in one place and "01/2020" in another, ATS may struggle. Consistency helps reliable parsing.

Ignoring the job description leads to low match rates. Generic resumes that don't address specific job requirements don't score well. Tailoring keywords to each application improves matches.

• Avoid creative layouts and infographics
• Don't use hidden text tricks
• Keep all important content as text, not images
• Maintain consistent formatting throughout
• Tailor keywords to each job description
• Don't use unusual section headers
• Avoid tables and multi-column layouts
• Don't put contact info in headers/footers only
• Don't use non-standard fonts
• Don't assume all ATS work the same way

Beat the ATS with AI resume builders. More tips: what recruiters look for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ATS and why does it matter? An Applicant Tracking System is software that screens resumes before human review. Most companies use ATS, and an estimated 75% of resumes are rejected automatically. If your resume doesn't pass ATS, no human will see it regardless of your qualifications.

What file format should I use for ATS? DOCX typically parses most reliably across ATS platforms. PDF works with most modern systems but can have issues with older ones. If the job posting specifies a format, follow their instructions. When in doubt, DOCX is safest.

Can I beat ATS with hidden keywords? No. Modern ATS detect hidden text, white text, and keyword stuffing attempts. These tricks may flag your application for rejection. Even if you pass screening, hidden manipulation will be obvious to human reviewers.

How many keywords should my resume include? There's no magic number. Focus on including all relevant required and preferred qualifications from the job description, naturally integrated into your content. Quality and relevance matter more than counting keywords.

Do all ATS systems work the same way? No. Different platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, etc.) use different parsing algorithms and matching criteria. This is why following universal best practices works better than trying to optimize for any single system.

What's the best way to test if my resume passes ATS? Start with the plain text test—paste into Notepad and check for scrambling. Then use ATS simulation tools available online. Finally, manually compare your resume to specific job descriptions to verify keyword coverage.

Should I use the same resume for every job? No. Tailoring keywords to each job description improves your match rate. Create a master resume, then adjust keyword emphasis for each application based on that job's specific requirements.

Does having a simple resume hurt my chances with human reviewers? No. A clean, well-organized resume that's easy to scan works well for both ATS and humans. Simplicity doesn't mean boring—it means clear, professional presentation of your qualifications.

Can I use bullet points in an ATS-friendly resume? Yes. Standard bullet points (solid circles) parse reliably. Avoid unusual symbols or icons as bullets, which may not parse correctly.

How important is the Skills section for ATS? Very important. The Skills section is often parsed and matched directly against job requirements. Include specific technical skills, tools, and certifications using exact terminology from job descriptions.

If I pass ATS, am I guaranteed an interview? No. Passing ATS means your resume reaches human reviewers—it doesn't guarantee they'll be impressed. Understanding what recruiters look for is equally important. You still need strong content, relevant experience, and compelling achievements. ATS is just the first hurdle.

Should I include my address on my resume? City and state are usually sufficient. Full addresses aren't necessary and take up space. Some remote job seekers omit location entirely, though this can raise questions about work authorization.