In today’s time, when you apply for a job online, your resume might be scanned by ATS and that’s because most of the companies use Applicant Tracking System (ATS). So, what is ATS? It is a software that scans, filters and ranks the resumes before they are sent to the HR manager.
So now you cannot think of writing an ATS free resume. You have to make sure that your resume is an ATS resume that is formatted in such a way that it is easier for the system to understand.
That’s why in this blog, you will explore ATS resume template, free ats resume templates, ATS resume checker, how to convert resume to ATS format and many more important things that you need to keep in mind.
Why does ATS Optimization Matter?
Many companies use ATS softwares and even small businesses rely on ATS integrations through platforms like LinkedIn, Naukri, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter.
So if your resume is not ATS-optimized, it could be rejected or misread, even if you’re perfect for the job role.
Steps to Write ATS Friendly Resume
1. Use Simple and Clean Format:
Avoid templates that are overly designed and have fancy layouts. This can confuse the ATS bots. Stick to the traditional structure and formats.
| DO’s | DONT’s |
|---|
| Use Word documents or PDF. You can get a sample ats-friendly resume template word | Don’t upload PDFs which are image only |
|---|---|
| You can use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri or Helvetica | Avoid fancy fonts |
| Stick to sections like Experience, Education, Skills | Don’t use tables, graphics, or icons |
| Left-align text | Avoid multi-column formats |
2. Use Keywords:
Every ATS software scans for keywords related to job description. So for example if a job post says “Looking for a data analyst skilled in Power BI and SQL,” then, your resume should include those exact keywords ie. ‘Data Analyst Skilled in Power BI and SQL’ in context.
You can use an ATS resume checker or ATS-friendly resume maker or free ATS-friendly resume builder like Jobscan or Resumeworded to match your resume keywords to the job description.
3. Use Standard Headings:
ATS bots look for common section titles. So you can use the following:
a. Contact Information
b. Summary
c. Work Experience
d. Education
e. Skills
f. Certifications
Don’t use creative headings like “What I Bring” or “My Journey”. ATS might skip them and they will get ignored. SO If you have put something Important in it then, that might go unnoticed.
4. Sample ATS Friendly Structure:
| Section | Example Content |
|---|
| Header | Name, Contact number, LinkedIn Profile, Location |
|---|---|
| Summary | You can write ‘Data Analyst with 2+ years of experience in Power BI, SQL, and Excel. Proven ability to deliver actionable insights’ |
| Skills | Power BI, SQL, Excel, Python, Tableau |
| Experience | Created 12+ dashboards in Power BI improving reporting time by 20% |
| Education | B.Tech in Computer Science, XYZ University, 2025 |
| Certifications | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate |
5. Keep Design ATS-safe
Many job seekers use Canva ATS-friendly resume template. So, you can follow these steps:
a. Use Canva’s text-based templates, not ones with graphics or charts.
b. Avoid adding text boxes or icons for bullets. Use standard bullet points.
c. When downloading, select PDF Standard and ensure it’s text-based. You can try copying text after saving. If it works, then it’s ATS-safe.
6. Use Action Verbs:
Start with action verbs to make your resume stand out in ATS and to the HR both. You can use strong verbs like Developed, Designed, Assisted, Coordinated, Created, Implemented, Led, Directed.
7. Tailor each resume:
When applying to different jobs, one resume won’t work. You have to keep on updating your resume to make it ATS friendly and Job friendly to make it stand out.
8. Include Both Hard and Soft Skills:
When scanning, ATS detect Hard and Soft skills both. So you need to add both. The examples for hard and soft skills are as follows:
Hard: Power BI, SQL, Excel, Python
Soft: Communication, Problem-solving, Analytical Thinking
9. Avoid Mistakes:
To make your resume ATS Friendly, you should avoid the following mistakes:
a. Don’t use images, charts, or text boxes
b. Don’t save resume as image-only PDF
c. Don't use headers or footers for key info
d. Don’t write job titles that differ too much from real roles
e. Don’t overstuff keywords unnaturally
10. Use free ats friendly resume templates
You can use ATS friendly resume template free or find ATS CV template free download. Here you can find various templates and formats.
FAQ’s
1. How to create an ATS-friendly resume?
Ans: Use simple word documents or Pdf’s. Use the standard section heading, keywords matching the job description and avoid graphics or columns.
2. How to write an ATS-friendly job winning resume?
Ans: Make sure it’s ATS optimised and uses standard headings, keywords, and avoid graphics or columns.
3. What are the best ATS proof resume building sites?
Ans: Top sites include Jobscan, Zety, and Canva ATS templates. They check keyword matches and formatting automatically.
4. How to write a really great resume that actually gets you hired?
Ans: Highlight achievements using numbers. Update each resume to the job description and keep it concise.
5. How to write an ATS compliant resume?
Ans: Ensure your resume passes ATS scans by using plain formatting, including job-specific keywords, avoiding tables, graphics, and logos and saving as a text-based .docx or PDF file
6. What are some ATS templates?
Ans: There are many ‘ATS resume template word free download’ in the word itself. You can also click here. Here you will find many templates and samples.