Beating the ATS

Formatting rules that keep applicant tracking systems from mangling your resume before a human ever sees it.

Layout

Use a single-column layout. Multi-column and sidebar designs often get read out of order or dropped entirely.
Skip images, icons, logos, and graphics — parsers can't read them, and a headshot won't help your score.
Avoid text boxes, shapes, and Word SmartArt. Content placed inside them is frequently skipped.
Avoid tables for structure. If you must use one for alignment, keep it minimal — many parsers read across rows instead of down columns.
Never put contact details or key content in a header or footer. Plenty of ATS ignore that area completely.

Save as a PDF — it's the safest bet for modern ATS. Use DOCX only if the job posting explicitly asks for it.
Never upload a scanned PDF. It's just an image, and there's no text underneath for the parser to extract.
Name the file Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf. Skip dates, version numbers, and special characters in the filename.

Stick to universal, ATS-safe fonts: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Verdana.
Avoid condensed or decorative fonts, however stylish they look.
Keep body text at 10–12pt and headings at 12–14pt.

Avoid special icons (☎ ✉ ➤ ✔), emojis (🚀 ⭐), and decorative bullets (■ ◆) — use a plain "•" or a hyphen instead.
Use standard section headings the parser recognizes, like "Experience," not creative alternatives like "Career Journey."
Keep date formats consistent throughout — don't mix "Jan 2020" with "2020-01" in the same document.