How to Format Your Resume for ATS: A Guide 2026

Understanding ATS: What It Is and Why It Matters

Applicant Tracking Systems have become a near-universal tool for employers managing high volumes of job applications. Essentially, they are software platforms designed to scan, filter, and rank resumes based on predetermined criteria.

How ATS Works

The ATS parses your resume by scanning its format, keywords, and document structure. It then sorts candidates into categories like "qualified," "maybe," or "not suitable." The problem? These algorithms aren’t perfect. They depend heavily on clear formatting and keyword matches to make their decisions.

Common ATS Challenges

• Inconsistent Formatting: Complex layouts or fancy designs often confuse ATS parsing.
• Missing Keywords: If your resume lacks the right industry or role-specific words, it may be rejected.
• Unreadable Sections: Elements like tables, images, or graphics can end up being skipped or misread.

Grasping these points is the first step toward creating a resume that gets through.

Why Formatting for ATS Is Different Than for Humans

It’s tempting to create a visually stunning resume — after all, it’s your personal brand. But an ATS doesn’t care for swirls, colors, or unconventional fonts. It’s blind to anything that disrupts its ability to extract information reliably.

What Recruiters Actually See

In most cases, recruiters will only review your resume after it passes the ATS filters. This means your file needs to satisfy two masters: the machine and the human. Unfortunately, what pleases one might complicate things for the other.

Balancing Readability and Scannability

While ATS prefers plain structures, recruiters still want clarity and ease of reading. Achieving the right balance isn’t about dull resumes but about smart, purposeful formatting choices. Think: clean fonts, straightforward headings, and organized sections that both machines and people can easily follow.

Step-by-Step Guide: Formatting Your Resume for ATS in 2026

1. Choose the Right File Format

Formats matter a lot. PDF is widely accepted today, but beware: some ATSs struggle with PDFs that have unusual fonts or layouts. A safely formatted .docx file often performs best.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, check the employer’s job description — they sometimes specify preferred formats.

2. Use Standard Section Headings

ATS looks for familiar section titles like “Work Experience,” “Education,” or “Skills.” Avoid fancy alternatives like “My Journey” or “Career Highlights” as these may confuse parsing.

3. Keep a Simple Layout

Avoid tables, text boxes, headers, footers, and columns. They may break the flow of text for the ATS parser. Instead, use clear line breaks and bullet points.

4. Select Universal Fonts

Stick with fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These are easy to read both by ATS and human eyes.

5. Incorporate Keywords Naturally

Include role-specific keywords and phrases from the job description within your resume content. But be authentic — overstuffing keywords can come off as spammy and hurt readability.

6. Avoid Graphics and Images

Graphics, logos, photos, and charts look great visually but are invisible to ATS software. Skip them entirely.

Key Sections: How to Format Content for Optimal ATS Parsing

Header / Contact Information

Place your name and contact info at the top, using plain text—no icons or unusual separators. Include a professional email and phone number, plus LinkedIn or personal website URLs if relevant.

Professional Summary

Write a concise, keyword-rich summary (2-3 sentences) highlighting your value proposition and experience relevant to the job.

Work Experience

List your roles in reverse chronological order. For each job entry, include:

• Job title
• Company name and location
• Employment dates
• Bulleted achievements that incorporate relevant keywords

Try to quantify results where possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% over 6 months”).

Education

Include degrees, institutions, and graduation dates. Avoid embellishments or lengthy descriptions.

Skills

This section is perfect for listing technical, software, and soft skills that match the job description. Use short bullet points or a comma-separated list.

Common ATS Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Headers and Footers: Important info inside headers/footer sections might never be scanned.
• Overusing Abbreviations: Write out keywords in full the first time before abbreviations (e.g., Search Engine Optimization (SEO)).
• Including Tables or Text Boxes: These can jumble your content for the ATS software.
• Inconsistent Date Formats: Stick with one style (e.g., Jan 2026 – Dec 2026).
• Uncommon Fonts or Colors: ATS scanners often misinterpret or skip text in unusual fonts or colored text.

Testing Your Resume Before Submission

One vital step that often gets overlooked is testing your resume against an ATS. Fortunately, there are tools that mimic this experience and give you instant feedback on how well your resume will perform.

Recommended Tools

• Jobscan - Compares your resume against job descriptions for keyword optimization.
• Resume Worded - Offers insights on ATS friendliness and overall resume strength.

Running your resume through these platforms can spot overlooked issues and help you tailor keywords more effectively.

Advanced Tips: Standing Out While Staying ATS Friendly

Use a Professional Summary Wisely

We’ve seen some of the best candidates boost their ATS success rates by crafting targeted summaries packed with keywords from their industry, but written naturally. This helps both bots and hiring managers understand your fit immediately.

Customize for Each Application

No two jobs are the same. Take the time to tweak your resume for each role you apply for, particularly the skills and keywords section. While it might seem tedious, this small investment often yields interview invites.

Include Relevant Certifications and Training

ATS often scan certifications and training relevant to the role. Don’t forget to add them in a dedicated section or under education to maximize keyword hits.

Leverage Bulleted Lists

Bullets help break up text for easier scanning by both ATS and recruiters. Keep bullets succinct but descriptive, and include action verbs plus quantifiable outcomes.

When to Ditch ATS Formatting

There are scenarios where ATS formatting isn’t your top priority. For instance, if you’re applying to a startup that explicitly requests creative portfolios or uses manual resume reviews, enhanced design could convey your personality better.

Still, even in these cases, clarity and readability are key. Don’t throw convention out completely — a well-structured resume always wins.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

If you want to deep dive further into resume crafting techniques beyond ATS optimization, check out our extensive pillar blog on CV writing and job applications. It covers everything from cover letters to LinkedIn profiles, ensuring your whole job search ecosystem is aligned and competitive.

Remember: Your resume is often your first impression—make it count by designing it to clear technical filters and resonate with hiring decision-makers.

Conclusion: Nail Your ATS Resume for 2026 and Beyond

Formatting your resume for ATS in 2026 is about more than just ticking boxes. It requires a thoughtful approach that balances technical compatibility with human readability. By understanding how ATS software scans and processes resumes, avoiding common pitfalls, and tailoring your content for each role, you significantly improve your chances of landing that coveted interview.

Take the time to test your resume, optimize your keywords organically, and keep your layout simple but smart. This isn’t just advice; in our experience working alongside recruiters and applicants, it’s the difference between a resume lost in the stacks and one that opens doors.

Your next career move starts with the resume you submit today. Get it right, and you put yourself miles ahead of the competition.