An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by companies to automatically scan, filter, and rank resumes before a human recruiter ever sees them. 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software.

Why do 75% of resumes get rejected by ATS?

Most resumes get filtered out because they use complex formatting, missing keywords from the job description, non-standard section headings, or file formats that ATS cannot parse correctly.

What file format is best for ATS?

DOCX has the highest ATS compatibility, followed closely by PDF. Never submit resumes as JPG, PNG, or image files. ATS systems cannot read text from images.

How do I make my resume ATS-friendly?

Use standard section headings like Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Mirror keywords from the job description. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and graphics. Use a clean single-column layout and submit as PDF or DOCX.

How can I check my resume's ATS score?

ResumeBuildz has a free built-in ATS checker with 12 analysis tools including keyword matching, formatting checks, readability scoring, and active voice detection. No sign-up required.

ATS Guide

How to Beat ATS: The Complete Guide

75% of resumes never reach a human recruiter. Here's how ATS works, why your resume might be getting filtered out, and exactly how to fix it.

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to sort through job applications. According to Jobscan, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use one. When you submit your resume online, it almost always goes through an ATS before any human reads it.

Here's what happens: the ATS scans your resume, pulls out your contact info, job titles, skills, and education, then compares everything against the job description. If your resume doesn't match enough keywords and criteria, it gets filtered out, and no recruiter ever sees it.

The good news? Once you understand how ATS works, it's not hard to beat. You can check your resume right now with our .

How ATS Works

Understanding the ATS pipeline helps you optimize your resume for each stage.

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Resume Upload

You submit your resume through an online portal or email. The ATS receives and stores the file.

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Parsing

The system extracts text from your resume, identifying sections like experience, education, and skills.

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Keyword Match

Your resume is compared against the job description. The ATS looks for matching keywords and phrases.

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Ranking

Resumes are scored and ranked. Top-scoring resumes are forwarded to recruiters for review.

ATS Statistics That Matter

75%

of resumes are filtered out by ATS before a recruiter ever reads them (Jobscan, 2024)

98%

of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to screen applicants (Jobscan)

250+

applications per corporate job posting on average (Glassdoor, 2024)

6 sec

is the average time a recruiter spends on an initial resume scan (Ladders, 2024)

10 Ways to Get Past ATS Screening

These are the tactics that actually work. Each one addresses a specific reason resumes get filtered out.

Use Relevant Keywords

Mirror the exact language from the job description. Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)").

Stick to Standard Headings

Use conventional section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" that ATS systems expect.

Keep Formatting Simple

Avoid complex layouts, columns, text boxes, headers/footers, and fancy formatting that can confuse parsers.

Submit as PDF or DOCX

These are the most widely supported formats. Check the job posting for any format preference.

Avoid Images and Tables

ATS cannot read text embedded in images, graphics, charts, or complex tables.

Use Strong Action Verbs

Start bullet points with impactful verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Implemented," "Achieved," and "Optimized."

Quantify Your Achievements

Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate impact: percentages, dollar amounts, team sizes, and time saved.

Tailor Each Application

Customize your resume for every job. One-size-fits-all resumes score poorly with ATS keyword matching.

Proofread Carefully

Typos and misspellings can prevent keyword matches. Double-check all text, especially technical terms.

Use an ATS-Optimized Template

Start with a template that's already built for ATS compatibility. ResumeBuildz's 20 templates are tested against real ATS parsers.

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

Using Creative File Formats

Submitting resumes as JPG, PNG, or in portfolio formats that ATS cannot parse.

Stuffing Keywords Unnaturally

Hiding white text or cramming keywords out of context gets flagged or ignored by modern ATS.

Using Only Graphics and Icons

Replacing text with icons for contact info, skills ratings as bars, or image-based layouts.

Ignoring Job Description Language

Using different terminology than the job posting, even if they mean the same thing.

Multi-Column Complex Layouts

Fancy two or three-column designs can scramble the reading order for ATS parsers.

ATS-Friendly File Formats

Feature	PDF	DOCX	Other (JPG, PNG, etc.)
ATS Compatibility	High	Highest	None
Formatting Preserved	Excellent	Good	N/A
Parsing Accuracy	Good	Best	Not Supported
Universal Support	Yes	Yes	No
Recommended	Yes	Yes	No

Check Your Resume's ATS Score

Upload your resume or build one from scratch. Our 12-point ATS checker shows you exactly what to fix: keyword gaps, formatting issues, and weak verbs. You can also browse our ATS-friendly templates or read our resume writing tips.