The Ultimate Checklist for Creating ATS-Friendly Resumes (with Examples)

Why ATS Compliance Matters in 2025

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now used by over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and a rapidly growing number of small-to-medium businesses. These systems filter, parse, and rank resumes to identify top candidates. Submitting an ATS-optimized resume no longer just boosts your chances, it is often the only way your application will ever be seen by a human recruiter.

The Fundamentals: What is an ATS-Friendly Resume?

An ATS-friendly resume is one that is formatted and written to be easily parsed by automated software, ensuring all your skills, experience, and qualifications are accurately interpreted and not lost due to technical or stylistic errors. This involves intentional formatting, keyword optimization, technical precision, and choosing the right file types.

The Ultimate Step-by-Step ATS Resume Checklist

1. Start With a Clean, Simple Format

  • Use standard, readable fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman); font size 10-12pt.
  • Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, images, icons, and graphics, ATS bots often fail to parse these properly.
  • Stick to left-aligned, single-column layout for experience and education.
  • Use bold text, ALL CAPS, or underline only for section headers, avoid colored backgrounds or complex visual elements.

2. Choose the Right File Type

  • Save your resume as a .docx (Word) or .pdf (only if the employer specifically asks for PDF and you’ve checked their ATS accepts it).
  • Ensure that the PDF is text-based, not image-based, run a quick "select text" check after saving.

3. Use Standard Headings and Sections

  • Stick to familiar section titles: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
  • Don’t hide critical info in headers or footers; ATS cannot reliably parse these areas.
  • Contact info (name, phone, email, LinkedIn) should be at the top, in the main body (not in footer/header).

4. Reverse-Chronological Order

  • List your most recent job and education first, then work backwards.
  • Each job/degree entry should start with role, employer, location, and dates, then use bullet points to describe achievements.

5. Craft Keyword-Optimized Content

  • Carefully analyze the job description. Identify critical keywords (skills, competencies, certifications) and weave them naturally throughout your resume.
  • Use each important keyword multiple times, especially in the professional summary, skills, and experience section.
  • Match your job title and skills exactly, if the posting says “Project Manager,” your headline and prior roles should use that term rather than vague alternatives.

6. Emphasize Measurable Achievements

  • For every role, use bullet points with action verbs (“Developed,” “Managed,” “Achieved”) and quantify results when possible (“Increased efficiency by 20%”).

Example:

  • Designed and implemented a new workflow, reducing project delivery time by 18%.

7. Standard Bullet Points and Sections

  • Only use solid circles or basic dashes for bullet points, no check marks or decorative symbols.
  • Avoid custom section names and quirky headings; stick to what ATS bots expect.

8. No Graphics, Photos, or Bar Charts

  • These elements will be ignored or cause parsing errors and can even lower your ranking in the system.

9. Proof for Consistency and Errors

  • Check spelling, grammar, and ensure consistent tense, date formatting, and labeling throughout every section.
  • Run your resume through ATS simulators or resume tools for feedback and error diagnosis.

Examples: ATS-Friendly Resume Snippets

Professional SummarytextResults-oriented Project Manager with 7+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in Agile environments. Specialized in software delivery, operational optimization, and team mentoring. PMP certified.

ExperiencetextProject Manager | Acme Corp, Mumbai, India | June 2018 – Present • Led a team of 12 in launching an enterprise SaaS platform, resulting in a 45% growth in client retention. • Implemented Kanban methodology, reducing backlog by 32% in one quarter. • Aligned stakeholder requirements with team velocity for improved sprint outcomes.

Skills Section

  • Project Management
  • Agile & Scrum
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Jira, MS Project, Trello

Common Mistakes That Cause ATS Rejection

  • Putting contact details in headers/footers
  • Using tables/columns for layout
  • Fancy fonts or icons (ATS can’t “see” them)
  • Missing or misused keywords
  • Inconsistent or creative section names (“Career Story” instead of “Work Experience”)

Building an ATS-friendly resume from scratch can be daunting and time-consuming. With Infy Resume by Infylearn you can start resume creation by importing your LinkedIn profile or existing resume.

Final Complete ATS Resume Checklist

  • Clean, single-column layout; standard fonts only
  • No tables, columns, images, or text boxes
  • Correct file format (.docx or plain .pdf)
  • Standard section headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
  • Contact info in body, not header/footer
  • Reverse-chronological order of jobs/education
  • Strong, precise, quantified achievements
  • All critical keywords mirrored from job description
  • Only basic bullet points (no special symbols)
  • Proofread - no typos or inconsistent formatting
  • Tested in at least one ATS scanner/simulator

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Learn how to create resumes that not only showcase your skills but also pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This beginner-friendly course blends recruiter insights, resume writing strategies, and interactive assignments to help you craft impactful, tailored resumes.

What You Will Learn

Master resume building with practical strategies, recruiter insights, and hands-on templates.

  • Understand what recruiters and ATS systems look for in top-tier resumes
  • Strategically format and structure your resume for readability and impact
  • Write tailored summaries, achievements, and experiences using frameworks like STAR
  • Build and maintain a Master Resume, and create job-specific versions quickly

Course Structure

Module 1 - Foundations of a Winning Resume

  • Learn resume basics, recruiter perspectives, and debunk common myths
  • Explore resume as a marketing tool and position yourself strategically

Module 2 - Planning Your Resume: Research & Preparation

  • Conduct SWOT analysis, identify skills, and define career goals
  • Build a Master Resume to capture experiences and achievements

Module 3 - Polishing and Finalizing Your Resume

  • Apply formatting, editing, and proofreading for ATS-friendly resumes
  • Learn how to keep resumes updated for ongoing job-readiness

Module 4 - Tailoring Your Resume to Job Opportunities

  • Adapt resumes for specific roles using keywords and personalization
  • Manage multiple versions smartly without losing consistency

Module 5 - Special Topics, FAQs, and Course Closure

  • Address unique cases like gaps, freshers, and transitions
  • Get expert answers to FAQs and finalize resumes with actionable insights

Why Choose Step-by-Step Resume Building: Job-Winning ATS-Proof Resumes?

  • Beginner-friendly: Designed for students, graduates, and professionals at any stage
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  • Tailored outcomes: Build resumes aligned to jobs and pass ATS filters with ease
  • Recognition: Earn a Coursera certificate from Board Infinity to showcase your skills

Take control of your career story, create ATS-proof resumes that open doors to interviews and opportunities. Enroll Now in Step-by-Step Resume Building: Job-Winning ATS-Proof Resumes