10 Expert tips to beat any ATS system

In this digital era, the ATS Applicant Tracking System plays a vital role in recruitment processes. This ATS system has modernised the whole human resource concept. Traditionally, it was a very long and lengthy process to conduct a recruitment drive. But nowadays, companies make a job search plan to execute fast job search drives. 

An ATS system scans thousands of resumes within a few seconds. From these thousands of applications, some candidates are shortlisted and moved to the next rounds. But who are they? They are candidates having an ATS friendly resume. 

Understanding how an ATS tracking system evaluates resumes can improve your chances of success. These systems rely on keywords for resumes from job descriptions and assess your resume's format and structure. Many factors, such as headings, fonts, and clear sections, are crucial to passing an ATS check. An ATS system can be passed by avoiding common mistakes like using graphics, complicated layouts, or incorrect file formats that can hinder readability. 

Always ask yourself, “Can ATS read my resume?” to ensure that your ATS friendly resume performs well in the resume shortlisting software. By leveraging career tips and the below mentioned strategies, you can make your application shine in the recruitments. 

1. Use a Simple, Standard Resume Format
   
   An ATS system finds it difficult to read fancy designs, so it's essential to follow the Standard CV Format when applying for jobs. Avoid inclusion of tables, graphics, or unusual fancy fonts, because it may seem beautiful but cannot get you shortlisted. Normal fonts, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, are best suited for resume optimization. Make sure that your resume is easily readable by an ATS tracking system and hiring manager when making an ATS friendly resume.
   
   Example: Make headings like "Projects" and "Skills" to make navigation easier for the ATS system.

2. Include the Right Keywords From the Job Description
   
   As a job seeker, your main priority is to stand out in the preliminary screening and interviews, and finding a list of keywords for resume plays a vital role in this process. An ATS applicant tracking system runs a scan on your resume to find out whether it matches with the job description.
   
   For example, if you are applying for an operations manager job and the job description includes a keyword as “Team leadership”. So this keyword should also be in your resume. If you are able to decide the language of an ATS system, you will be able to make an ATS friendly resume because resume writing is not just a formality; your career depends on this one page. 

3. Use Bullet Points for Readability
   
   You read a paragraph in the newspaper; on the other hand, you received a notification from an app explaining your whole paragraph in two or three lines. Definitely, the short message will be preferable to many of us. Similarly, when presenting any information in your ATS friendly resume, it should be easily readable by the ATS system and hiring managers.
   
   “Increased sales by 30%” is easier for the ATS resume scanner to read and pass your resume. This is also one of the career tips: whenever presenting information in ATS friendly CV, always keep it brief and action-oriented

4. Submit the Correct File Type
   
   When you are fully confident that your resume optimization has been completed, you can save your resume and start sending it to the recruiters. But remember that your ATS friendly CV is saved in the correct file format to pass the ATS system.
   
   What's the correct file type for an ATS friendly resume?
   
   Word documents or PDFs are the best file types for saving your resume because these two file types show your resume writing in the way it should. Also, an ATS tracking system also supports these file types, which directly increases the shortlisting chances of your ATS friendly resume. 

5. Label Your Sections Clearly
   
   An ATS system has a pre-fixed order to read your resume. It means resume writing should be very focused, and you should use standard headings to divide your ATS friendly CV into the different sections. For example, divide your ATS friendly resume into 6 to 7 sections, such as Summary, Education, Experience, Projects, and ECA. These simple resume optimization tips ensure that your ATS friendly resume is easily accessible by the ATS Applicant Tracking System. Another example: when you are listing experience on your resume, you can also divide this section based on the most previous or most relevant experience that aligns with the job. 

6. Avoid Images, Graphics, and Columns
   
   An ATS system has some limitations, like it cannot read any type of visual, image, or graphics. Even tables in an ATS friendly resume can cause harm to your ATS friendly CV score. So it is best to avoid using logos, charts, or any complex, fancy design resume template.
   
   Tip: Every recruiter prefers a textual resume because it doesn't hinder the algorithm on an ATS system. 

7. Don’t Apply for Too Many Roles in the Same Company
   
   You want to pass an ATS system, but if you try to enter twice from the same door. You will be highlighted and may be blacklisted by the company. This is true; many candidates try to be oversmart by applying for multiple positions in the same company, but they end up bearing consequences. There are some exemptions when the company itself offers you to apply for more than one position. Instead of this, you should focus on your resume writing for resume optimization and tailor your ATS friendly resume to the job description by finding keywords from the resume using a job description keywords finder.

8. Tailor Your Resume for Each Application
   
   Suppose there are ten hiring managers looking for a perfect candidate for ten different roles. But you go to them with one universal resume. In such a situation, there are very high chances that your ATS friendly CV will be rejected in a few seconds. That is why it's important to customize your ATS friendly CV for resume optimization. Resume writing should be done based on each job description, and also identify a list of relevant keywords for the resume to increase your CV score.
   
   This resume customisation process can be very lengthy, but not for you. If you are finding jobs, you can find the perfect match based on your resume with our Job Match Pro because this tool not only suggests the best jobs but also helps you customize CVs. 

9. Run an ATS Check on Your Resume with ChatGPT
   
   Do you know you can use ChatGPT for resume writing and resume optimization?
   
   This is a career tip that ChatGPT can help you identify missing elements, irrelevant content, and areas of improvement in the ATS friendly resume. ChatGPT can be used for finding keywords for resume. This can be done by simply uploading or pasting your resume content in the ChatGPT along with the below prompt.
   
   “Please analyze my CV for ATS compatibility. Highlight areas to improve, such as formatting, section headings, keyword alignment, and file type. Suggest relevant keywords based on job descriptions for [specific role/industry]. Ensure it’s ATS-friendly and tailored to increase my chances of getting shortlisted.”
   

10. Test Your Resume With ATS-Scanning Tools
    
    Before finalizing your ATS friendly CV, you must run an ATS system to check its score. An ATS resume checker can help in evaluating the compatibility of a resume with the ATS system. If you are not familiar with resume score checkers, you can use our ResuScan tool to check the score of your ATS friendly resume. This tool not only tells you your resume score but also suggests necessary corrections and improvements.

If you want to stay ahead of the competition, you have to focus on two main things: Refine and test the formula. Keep refining your resume after a certain interval and check your resume score every time after resume optimization. 

Utilise tools like ResuScan or Job Match Pro for refining your resume and customising it for each job application. Resume updating is important because it ensures that your ATS friendly resume consists of the most recent details and experiences. 

Continuous improvement in the resume shows efforts and interest when applying to a job. Also, an ATS compatible resume moves your application further in the recruitment process. Prepare your job search plan efficiently and execute it with the right career tips & strategies.   

Mastering the arts of resume writing and utilising the above strategies can work as a masterstroke for job seekers targeting high-paying jobs in 2025. Use our resume keywords tool to make a list of keywords for resume optimization and pass an ATS system.