ATS-Friendly Resume: Make It Easy for Them to Say “Yes”
- Kerry Smith
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
An ATS-friendly resume is simple, clear, and built for scanning.
You don’t need a fancy resume—you need a resume that gets read. An ATS-friendly resume uses clean structure, relevant keywords, and clear outcomes so both the system and the recruiter can quickly understand your fit. Most resumes don’t fail because the candidate is unqualified—they fail because the resume is unclear.
What Makes a Resume ATS-Friendly
Mirrors job description language (keywords, tools, responsibilities)
Clean formatting (no tables, text boxes, or heavy design)
Standard headers (Experience, Skills, Education)
Simple fonts and consistent spacing
Strong bullets with outcomes (what you did + what changed)
ATS Resume Checklist (Quick Wins)
Use the job’s language—strategically
Pull 8–12 relevant keywords and weave them into bullets and skills (naturally).
Make it skimmable in 10 seconds. Your most relevant experience should be instantly obvious.
Lead with outcomes. Don’t list duties. Prove impact.
Try This: Rewrite 3 Bullets Today
For one target job posting, rewrite 3 bullets to include:
The skill they want
The scope (team size, budget, region, volume)
The measurable result (time saved, revenue, risk reduced, satisfaction improved)
That’s what makes you feel “obvious” as a candidate.
FAQs
What format is best for an ATS-friendly resume? A clean Word or PDF format (depending on the application instructions) with standard headings and no complex design elements.
Should I use a two-column resume for ATS? Usually no. Two-column layouts can confuse parsing.
How many keywords should I include? Enough to match the role naturally, often 8–12 priority terms across skills and experience.
Coach’s Note: Make the match obvious, because busy readers and ATS will not work hard to find it.
If you want a steady, practical coaching partner as you navigate your next move, connect with me at www.koaconsults.com.
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