Tips to Improve Your ATS Score Free – How to Get Your Resume Seen

Understanding ATS and Why Your Score Matters

Most companies today use ATS software to streamline hiring by filtering out resumes that don’t meet certain criteria. These systems scan your resume for keywords, formatting, and other signals relevant to the job description. An ATS score is essentially a measure of how well your resume aligns with these criteria. The higher your ATS score, the higher the chance a recruiter actually sees your application. Low scores mean your resume might get shelved—unread.

Here’s why improving your ATS score is crucial:

• Visibility: ATS highlights top candidates based on scores, often before any human eyes catch a resume.
• Relevance: The system ranks resumes by keyword match, formatting, and structure, which you can influence.
• Efficiency: A good ATS score can fast-track you past initial screenings and into interviews.

We encourage you to think of the ATS as a gatekeeper—your job is to unlock that gate with the right approach.

Tip 1: Tailor Your Resume for Every Job Application

It sounds obvious but tailoring your resume to respond specifically to each job ad is a game-changer. In our experience, the biggest factor that moves your ATS score needle is keyword alignment—the specific language recruiters include in the job posting.

How to Do It Effectively

• Analyze the job description: Spot keywords and required skills repeated throughout the posting.
• Customize your resume’s summary and skills section: Mirror the exact terms from the job ad.
• Don’t overload with keywords: Use them naturally and contextually, avoiding stuffing or irrelevant additions.

Remember, ATS algorithms are sophisticated enough to recognize context, but they rely heavily on exact phrasing. We’ve seen resumes get a big boost by matching keywords like “project management,” “JavaScript,” or “budget forecasting” exactly as written.

Tip 2: Choose the Right File Format

This is a simple yet often overlooked step. Most ATS software parses resumes better when they are submitted as .docx or PDF files—though some older ATS systems favor Word documents specifically.

In our experience: Submitting in .docx format is generally the safest bet because it is easier for systems to parse without scrambling layout or missing keywords compared to certain PDFs.

What to Avoid

• Scanned images or bitmap PDFs: These are unreadable to ATS systems.
• Unusual file extensions: Stick to the job application instructions for file upload.

When in doubt, upload as .docx unless the employer explicitly says otherwise.

Tip 3: Simplify Formatting for Better Parsing

ATS are finicky about how the resume’s layout appears internally. Complex formatting—columns, tables, text boxes, graphics, headers and footers—can confuse the ATS parser, causing important information to be skipped or misread.

Best Practices

• Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana are preferred.
• Avoid text boxes and tables: Stick to simple line breaks and bullet points.
• Bold and italics are okay: Use these sparingly to highlight information but don't overdo it.
• Keep consistent headings: Use standard section headings like “Work Experience” or “Education.”

We’ve seen candidates with heavily designed resumes miss out simply because their ATS couldn’t read key details buried in graphics or non-standard layouts. If you want a straightforward approach, less is truly more.

Tip 4: Use Keywords Strategically in Relevant Sections

Avoid stuffing keywords willy-nilly. Instead, place them smartly in areas of your resume the ATS values most:

• Professional summary or profile: Your elevator pitch is a perfect spot to incorporate primary keywords.
• Skills section: List technical skills, certifications, and proficiencies clearly—this acts as a keyword checklist for the ATS.
• Work experience: Integrate keywords naturally within your responsibilities and achievements.

By integrating keywords this way, the ATS recognizes that you not only know the terms but have applied them. We’ve recommended this approach repeatedly to job seekers, and it consistently leads to improved ATS rankings.

Tip 5: Include Both Acronyms and Spelled-Out Terms

Many ATS aren’t smart enough to link acronyms with their expansions—if the job description says “Certified Public Accountant (CPA),” for example, include both “Certified Public Accountant” and “CPA” in your resume.

This approach can cover all bases. Sometimes recruiters search with the acronym, sometimes the full phrase.

In our observations, adding both forms doesn’t just help ATS—it also shows recruiters you understand industry jargon.

Tip 6: Don’t Forget the Basics—Contact Information & Dates

It might sound minor, but formatting your contact info and employment dates clearly can improve ATS parsing accuracy:

• Phone and email: Place prominently at the top with no graphics or icons.
• Employment dates: Use consistent formatting (e.g., MM/YYYY or Month Year) and position dates to the right or directly beside each job title.
• Location: For jobs where location matters, add city and state near job titles.

We’ve encountered resumes where missing dates or unconventional placement caused the ATS to skip entire work histories—so clean, straightforward presentation here is critical.

Tip 7: Utilize Online Free ATS Checker Tools to Test Your Resume

Before submitting your resume, check it through free ATS simulators available online. These tools analyze your document and show how it might perform in an ATS scan.

While not perfect, they offer valuable insight into keyword usage, formatting, and missing elements. Use feedback from these tests to refine your resume further without spending on expensive services.

We recommend trying tests repeatedly as you tweak to approach that ideal ATS-compliant resume.

Tip 8: Avoid Common ATS Resume Mistakes

Common pitfalls can drag your ATS score down fast:

• Graphics or images: They get ignored or cause parsing errors.
• Headers and footers: ATS sometimes can’t read info placed here.
• Uncommon fonts or colors: Stick with classics and black text.
• Using PDF when Word is required: Check job posting instructions carefully.

In our experience, eliminating these issues immediately makes your resume far friendlier to ATS software and improves your overall chances.

Tip 9: Leverage Action Verbs and Quantifiable Achievements

Though the ATS focuses on keywords, it also parses your content quality. Using strong action verbs (e.g., “managed,” “developed,” “implemented”) combined with numbers (“increased sales by 20%”) can differentiate you among top ATS hits.

This adds real-world proof of skills behind keywords, a tactic recruiters love once they get to your resume.

We’ve seen resumes jump from ATS ‘pass’ to recruiter favorites when the bullet points provide concrete outcomes instead of vague statements.

Tip 10: Keep Your Resume up to Date and Lean

Finally, regularly update your resume and keep it focused. Long, sprawling resumes with excessive detail often get chopped or misread.

Focus on the last 10-15 years of relevant experience, omit irrelevant roles, and emphasize current skills applicable to the job.

We advise clients to prune resumes down to 1-2 pages for most industries—easier for ATS parsing and quicker for recruiters to scan.

Looking for More Help? Check Out Our Resume Writing Resources

If you want in-depth guidance on crafting resumes designed to beat ATS and impress recruiters, visit our comprehensive CV Owl pillar blog. It covers everything from resume structure to interview preparation and much more.

Conclusion: Small, Free Changes Can Make a Big Difference

Improving your ATS score doesn’t require expensive software or professional services. By understanding how ATS evaluates resumes and implementing straightforward, free strategies like tailoring keywords, simplifying formatting, and testing your resume, you substantially increase your chances of getting noticed.

With many job seekers skipping these basics, applying these tips consistently can set you apart right at the start of the hiring process. Take the time now—your future self will thank you when that interview call comes through.