How to Optimize Your Resume for ATS Systems in 2025

If you've been applying to jobs and hearing nothing back, there's a good chance your resume isn't making it past the first hurdle: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to manage job applications. Before a human ever sees your resume, the ATS scans it for relevant keywords, qualifications, and formatting. If your resume doesn't match what the system is looking for, it gets filtered out automatically.

Studies suggest that up to 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a recruiter ever sees them. That's a lot of qualified candidates falling through the cracks.

Key Strategies for ATS Optimization

1. Use Standard Section Headers

ATS systems are trained to look for specific section headers. Stick with conventional names:

Work Experience (not "Where I've Been")
Education (not "Academic Journey")
Skills (not "What I'm Good At")

Creative headers might look nice to humans, but they confuse the robots.

2. Include Keywords from the Job Description

This is the most important optimization you can make. If a job posting mentions "project management" and your resume says "led projects," you might get filtered out.

Pro tip: Copy the job description into a document and highlight the key skills and requirements. Make sure those exact phrases appear naturally in your resume.

3. Avoid Tables, Columns, and Graphics

Many ATS systems struggle to parse complex formatting:

No tables or columns
No text boxes
No images or graphics
No headers or footers for important information

Keep it simple with a single-column layout and standard fonts.

4. Use a Standard File Format

When in doubt, submit a .docx file. While many systems can handle PDFs, some older ATS platforms struggle with them. If the job posting doesn't specify, Word documents are the safest bet.

5. Don't Stuff Keywords

While keywords are important, don't overdo it. ATS systems (and recruiters who eventually see your resume) can detect keyword stuffing. Use keywords naturally within the context of your achievements and responsibilities.

Check Your Match Score

The best way to know if your resume will pass an ATS? Check your match score against the job description before you apply.

That's exactly what Align.careers does. Upload your resume, paste the job description, and instantly see how well you match. You'll get specific feedback on missing keywords and skills gaps, so you can optimize before you apply.

The Bottom Line

Optimizing for ATS doesn't mean gaming the system—it means communicating clearly in a format that both humans and machines can understand. Focus on:

Clear, standard formatting
Relevant keywords from the job description
Quantified achievements
Simple file formats

Remember: getting past the ATS is just the first step. Your resume still needs to impress the human who reads it next.

Want to check how well your resume matches a specific job? Try Align.careers free and get your match score in seconds.