How To Create An ATS-Friendly Resume In 2025

So, you’re ready to land that internship or first full-time gig, and you’ve polished your resume until it gleams. But here’s the kicker: before a human even gets to see your masterpiece, it will most likely need to pass the ultimate gatekeeper – the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

Companies frequently rely on ATS to filter applications, and if your resume doesn’t make the cut, it could get trashed before it even has a chance to impress anyone. Quel horreur!

Sound brutal? It is. But don’t sweat it – here’s how to create an ATS-friendly resume in 2025, that not only passes the ATS test but also stands out in the stack.

1. Ditch The Fancy Fonts And Graphics – Keep It Clean

I get it – you want your resume to look sharp, professional, maybe even a little eye-catching. But here’s the cold, hard truth: ATS doesn’t care about design. It’s not looking at your snazzy font choices, your tables, or any graphics that make your resume look like a work of art.

In fact, these are the exact things that could get your resume thrown out.

Instead, stick to standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Keep your layout super basic: Contact Information, Education, Experience, and Skills. Avoid graphics, tables, and text boxes – ATS systems don’t read them well, and you’ll end up with missing info or, worse, a jumbled mess.

If it’s between looking ‘creative’ or getting your resume actually read, go with clean and clear every time — that’s key to having ATS-friendly resume.

2. Keywords Are Your Golden Ticket

Think of ATS as a giant, keyword-hungry beast. To get past it, you’ve got to feed it exactly what it wants – relevant keywords. But how do you optimize resume for ATS and know what keywords to use? Simple: the job description.

Read the posting like a hawk and pull out key terms. If they’re looking for someone with “project management” skills, make sure “project management” is somewhere in your resume. Bonus points for including variations, like “managed projects” or “project oversight,” just in case. And for the love of all things career-related, don’t overdo it! Because ATS-friendly resume is not overcrowded and packed, but looks human and is readable for recruiters too!

Cramming keywords everywhere is as obvious as it sounds. Make it natural; make it you.

3. Show Skills And Back Them Up With Numbers

Here’s a little insider tip: top resume formats for applicant tracking systems have numbers.

ATS loves skills, especially hard skills. Soft skills (like communication and teamwork) are cool too, but what’s really going to get you through is showing what you can do.

Think technical skills, software knowledge, even specific tools or programming languages if they’re relevant. But don’t just list them – back them up.

For example, let’s say you’ve been running your college’s social media accounts. Don’t say, “Managed social media accounts.” Instead, say, “Increased engagement by 30% by creating targeted content.”

Quantifiable achievements are like gold – they’re specific, impressive, and make you look legit.

4. Tailor, Tailor, Tailor – Don’t Be Lazy

Sending the same resume to every job? Rookie mistake. Even if your resume is stellar, generic doesn’t cut it in the ATS world. Tailoring your resume for each job is key to getting through the filter and catching a recruiter’s eye. This is one of the most important best practices for passing ATS with your resume.

So how do you tailor? Easy – make small tweaks to your keywords, skills, and focus for each job. Highlight the skills and experience that matter most for each specific position.

It sounds like extra work, and it is. But trust me, the payoff is worth it. A tailored resume is a lot more ATS-friendly resume and has a much better chance of passing and landing in the hands of someone who can hire you.

5. Keep It Concise But Include The Important Stuff

ATS isn’t going to give you points for fluff. Stay focused on what matters – your skills, your accomplishments, and what you bring to the table. Make each line count.

Remember, no one wants to read a novel, especially not an ATS (or the recruiter after it).

Each bullet point should answer one question: Why should someone hire you? If it doesn’t do that, rethink or rephrase it. Cut the filler, drop the clichés, and go straight to the point.

That’s the kind of resume that gets noticed.

Creating an ATS-friendly resume isn’t about losing your personality or making a boring document; it’s about understanding how the hiring game is played and making sure you’re set up to win. Think of the ATS like the ultimate test of your resume’s structure and relevance.

If you’re smart about your keywords, keep things clean, and focus on what really matters, you’ll be giving yourself a way better shot at getting seen.

Give your resume the best chance to make it into their hands. You’ve got this – now go get that job!

If you’re unsure how to focus your job search and align your skills with the right roles, check out the Career Launch Masterclass, which covers everything from setting meaningful goals to researching companies that fit your values. This course can help you avoid the trap of applying to too many jobs and instead build a focused, strategic approach.