How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

❌ Don’t: Use overly designed templates with multiple columns, graphics, or icons. ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) often can’t read creative layouts, which means your resume might lose key information before a recruiter even sees it. What looks polished to you can appear blank or broken to the system — and that’s how strong candidates get filtered out. ✅ Do: Keep your layout clean and text-based. Use clear headings like Experience, Education, and Skills. Save it as a Word or PDF file that preserves formatting. 💡 Why It Works: ATS software scans for keywords, structure, and readability. Simple formatting helps your resume pass the scan so an actual recruiter can read it. ⭐ Tip: Match key phrases from the job description — especially skills, job titles, and tools — but keep them natural. Don’t keyword-stuff; clarity beats clutter.