Applicant Tracking Systems reject up to 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Understanding how ATS works is crucial for any job seeker in 2026. This guide reveals the exact strategies to ensure your resume passes ATS screening.
What is an ATS and How Does It Work?
An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to collect, sort, scan, and rank resumes. It automates the hiring process by filtering candidates based on keywords, skills, and formatting.
Parsing Technology
ATS systems parse your resume into structured data fields: contact info, work experience, education, and skills. The quality of parsing depends heavily on your resume format. Complex layouts, graphics, and unusual formatting confuse parsers.
Keyword Matching
ATS compares your resume against the job description, calculating a match score. Resumes with higher keyword matches rank higher. However, modern ATS systems also detect keyword stuffing—so natural integration is key.
ATS-Friendly Formatting Rules
Following these formatting rules ensures your resume parses correctly across all major ATS platforms.
File Format
Use .docx or .pdf format. While PDFs preserve formatting, some older ATS systems struggle with them. When in doubt, .docx is safest. Never use .jpg, .png, or other image formats.
Layout Structure
Use a single-column layout. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and multi-column designs. These elements confuse ATS parsers and can result in scrambled or missing information.
Standard Fonts
Stick to standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Helvetica. Avoid decorative fonts that may not render correctly. Font size should be 10-12pt for body text.
Section Headers
Use conventional section headers: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Summary." Creative headers like "My Journey" or "Where I've Been" confuse ATS categorization.
Keyword Optimization Strategies
Strategic keyword placement is crucial, but it must be done naturally to satisfy both ATS and human readers.
Mirror the Job Description
Analyze the job posting and incorporate exact phrases used. If the job requires "project management," use "project management"—not "managing projects" or "project coordinator expertise."
Include Both Acronyms and Full Terms
Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" the first time, then use "SEO" throughout. This captures both search variations and shows you understand the terminology.
Skills Section Strategy
Include a dedicated Skills section with keywords that don't fit naturally in your experience bullets. This acts as a keyword repository while maintaining readable experience descriptions.
Conclusion
Beating ATS systems isn't about gaming the algorithm—it's about presenting your qualifications in a clear, parseable format. Focus on clean formatting, strategic keywords, and authentic content. Tools like Infinite Resume automatically optimize for ATS while maintaining human appeal.