An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) scans your resume before it ever reaches a human recruiter. That’s why your resume format must be both clean and machine-readable. Using complex designs or non-standard layouts can cause your resume to be rejected automatically, even if you're highly qualified.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to format your resume to pass ATS filters while still looking professional. And if you want to instantly test your resume, try our free ATS Resume Checker to see how your resume scores. You can also explore more resume writing tips to improve every section of your CV.

Why Resume Formatting Matters for ATS

ATS software is designed to scan for keywords, job titles, and sections in your resume. If your formatting is too complex, the system may not be able to read it correctly. This can lead to important sections like “Experience” or “Skills” being skipped entirely.

As shown above, resumes with clean structure and standard headings perform better with ATS. Avoid using tables, text boxes, and decorative fonts. If you’re not sure whether your design is safe, upload it to our CV Chackr resume checker and get instant feedback.

Essential Formatting Rules for ATS Compliance

Follow these best practices to make your resume ATS-compatible:

• ✅ Use standard headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
• ✅ Save as PDF or .docx (unless the job description says otherwise)
• ✅ Use a single-column layout (you can see recommended layouts on our Features page)
• ✅ Stick to classic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• ✅ Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs for achievements
• ❌ Avoid graphics, images, icons, or fancy charts that ATS tools can’t read

If you’re applying as a fresher or career changer, check out how different profiles can benefit from ATS-optimized formatting in our Use Cases.

ATS Resume Formatting Template

Here’s a quick layout example of a resume that’s ATS-optimized:

1. Header: Your name, phone, email, LinkedIn
2. Summary: 2–3 lines summarizing your experience and target role
3. Skills: Use relevant keywords from the JD (you can discover missing keywords using our ATS keyword analysis)
4. Experience: List jobs in reverse chronological order
5. Education: Degree, university, and graduation year

Test Your Resume Formatting

Even if you follow all these guidelines, it's smart to test your resume. Our ATS Resume Checker Tool scans your resume and gives you a detailed report including formatting issues, keyword match, and section-by-section feedback.

Want to learn more beyond formatting? Browse other resume tips and resources like FAQs and Contact if you need help using CV Chackr.