Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly in 2025: What You Need to Know

Navigating the job application landscape in 2025 requires understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—tools employers use to manage and filter resumes based on specific criteria. While ATS streamline hiring, they can also exclude qualified candidates if resumes aren’t optimized. This guide offers research-backed strategies to help your resume pass ATS filters and impress human recruiters.

---

ATS help employers save time by scanning resumes for keywords, skills, and experience tied to the job description. However, they don’t automatically reject candidates—filtering depends on how recruiters configure the system. Research shows ATS can miss qualified applicants if criteria are too strict (e.g., employment gaps or missing terms), but optimizing your resume with clarity and relevance can improve your odds (Applicant tracking system: The secret to beating a resume-filtering ATS).

---

Tip 1: Use Clear, Standard Formatting

Creative designs may dazzle humans but can confuse ATS. Focus on simple, standard layouts that are easy to parse.

• Use chronological or hybrid formats to clearly present work history and skills.
• Avoid headers, footers, tables, or graphics, as some ATS can’t read them.
• Save as a plain Word document (.docx) or text-based PDF (not an image).
• Why it matters: ATS perform best with straightforward layouts and standard headings like "Work Experience" or "Skills" (How to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS)).

Example:

• Professional Summary: Detail-oriented Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in scalable software solutions. Proficient in Java, Python, and SQL.
• Work Experience: Software Developer, Tech Innovations Inc. (June 2019–Present)
  • Led a team of 5 in developing a high-volume data processing application, boosting efficiency by 20%.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Tech (2015–2019)
• Skills: Java, Python, SQL, Spring Boot, Django, Git, Docker, Jenkins

---

Tip 2: Incorporate Relevant Keywords

ATS rank resumes based on keyword matches from the job posting. There’s no one-size-fits-all format—focus on including terms naturally.

• Tailor your resume for each job using keywords from the description.
• Be specific (e.g., “digital marketing strategies, including SEO, PPC, and social media” vs. “marketing”).
• Use acronyms and full names (e.g., “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”) to cover keyword variations.
• Why it matters: Relevant keywords boost your ranking for human review.

Example:

• Skills Section:
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Improved website SEO, increasing organic traffic by 40%.
  • Pay Per Click (PPC) Campaign Management: Managed a $10,000 monthly PPC budget, achieving a 15% ROI increase.
  • Social Media Marketing: Grew follower engagement by 25% with targeted strategies.

---

Tip 3: Highlight Achievements with Metrics

While ATS prioritize keywords, recruiters value measurable results.

• Use action verbs and numbers (e.g., “Increased website traffic by 30% through Search Engine Optimization strategies”).
• Include metrics to show impact and potential.
• Why it matters: Quantifiable achievements stand out to humans once past ATS.

Example:

• Digital Marketing Specialist, Creative Solutions Ltd.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Overhauled strategy, boosting organic traffic by 50% in six months.
  • Content Marketing: Produced 100+ SEO-friendly articles, raising domain authority by 5 points.

---

Tip 4: Focus on Readability

An ATS-friendly resume has to be also a human-friendly resume. After passing through the ATS, your resume will eventually land in front of a human recruiter, so it needs to be easily readable.

• Use clear fonts like Arial or Calibri (10–12 points).
• Use bullet points for easy skimming.
• Leave white space to avoid clutter.
• Why it matters: A readable resume helps recruiters quickly assess your fit.

---

Tip 5: Test Your Resume (But Know the Limits)

Testing can help, but it’s not foolproof.

• Use tools like Jobscan to check keyword matches, but note ATS systems vary widely.
• Try the plain text test: Paste your resume into a text document to see how it reads without formatting. This can give you an idea of how an ATS might parse your information.
• Why it matters: Testing offers insights, but no tool guarantees ATS success due to system differences.

---

Key Insight: The Reality of ATS Filtering

A misconception persists that ATS automatically reject candidates, but filtering depends on recruiter settings. A 2021 Harvard Business School study found 88% of employers believe high-skilled candidates are filtered out by ATS, and 94% for middle-skilled roles (Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent). Yet, there’s no exact data on how many good candidates are missed, as it varies by company and role.

---

Crafting an ATS-friendly resume in 2025 isn’t about a perfect format—it’s about clarity and relevance. With standard formatting, tailored keywords, and standout achievements, your resume can navigate ATS and win over hiring managers.

---

Keep in Mind

While ATS are tools that can filter candidates, their impact on filtering talent depends on how they’re configured. There’s no specific CV format required, but optimizing with relevant keywords is key to getting noticed. Recruiters lack specific, quantifiable data on how many good candidates are filtered out, though many employers believe it’s significant. However, not optimizing your resume as much as possible will reduce your chances of getting noticed.

It’s also worth noting that not all companies, and actually the majority, do not use an ATS today.

Looking for a job that matches your aspirations and skills? Join TieTalent today. Our platform matches IT and Digital Marketing professionals with companies that value what you bring to the table, including those seeking talents who know how to navigate modern hiring processes effectively.