ATS Resume Checklist: 12 Things to Fix Before You Submit Any Application

Your resume gets 6 seconds of human attention — if it makes it past the bots first.

98% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before any recruiter sees them. That means your perfectly crafted resume might never reach human eyes if it fails the initial scan.

The good news? ATS optimization isn’t rocket science. Most job seekers make the same 12 fixable mistakes that get their applications rejected automatically. Fix these issues, and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of landing interviews.

1. Use a Standard File Format

The Problem: Fancy PDFs with graphics, tables, or unusual formatting confuse ATS software.

The Fix: Save your resume as a simple .docx or .pdf file. Avoid PDFs created from design software like Canva or InDesign — these often scramble when parsed by ATS.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about your file format, copy and paste your resume into a plain text editor. If the formatting looks readable, you’re good to go.

2. Stick to Standard Section Headers

The Problem: Creative headers like “My Professional Journey” or “Where I’ve Made an Impact” don’t register with ATS algorithms.

The Fix: Use conventional headers that ATS systems recognize:

• Professional Summary (not “About Me”)
• Work Experience (not “Career Highlights”)
• Education (not “Academic Background”)
• Skills (not “Core Competencies”)

3. Include Relevant Keywords from the Job Description

The Problem: ATS systems scan for specific keywords and phrases from the job posting. Miss them, and your resume gets filtered out.

The Fix: Read the job description carefully and naturally incorporate relevant keywords into your resume. Focus on:

• Required skills and technologies
• Industry-specific terms
• Job titles and responsibilities
• Required qualifications

Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally — ATS systems are getting smarter at detecting this.

4. Avoid Graphics, Images, and Charts

The Problem: ATS can’t read visual elements. That beautiful infographic showing your skills? It’s invisible to the system.

The Fix: Replace all graphics with text. Instead of a chart showing proficiency levels, list your skills with years of experience or proficiency levels in parentheses.

5. Use Standard Fonts

The Problem: Decorative or unusual fonts can cause parsing errors.

The Fix: Stick to ATS-friendly fonts like:

• Arial
• Calibri
• Times New Roman
• Helvetica
• Georgia

Keep font size between 10–12 points for body text and 14–16 points for headers.

6. Format Your Contact Information Correctly

The Problem: Complex contact sections with multiple columns or unusual formatting prevent ATS from extracting your information.

The Fix: Place your contact information at the top in a simple, single-column format: your name, phone number, email address, city and state, and LinkedIn profile URL — each on its own line.

7. Spell Out Abbreviations and Acronyms

The Problem: ATS might not connect “SEO” with “Search Engine Optimization” or “PM” with “Project Manager.”

The Fix: Use both the full term and abbreviation when first mentioned: “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” or “Project Manager (PM).” This ensures you’re found whether the recruiter searches for the acronym or full phrase.

8. Include a Skills Section

The Problem: Without a dedicated skills section, ATS might miss your key qualifications buried in job descriptions.

The Fix: Create a clear “Skills” or “Technical Skills” section listing relevant abilities. Separate different skill categories with bullet points or commas.

9. Use Reverse Chronological Order

The Problem: Functional or combination resume formats confuse ATS systems.

The Fix: List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Employment dates (month/year format)
• 3–5 bullet points describing achievements

10. Avoid Headers and Footers

The Problem: Many ATS systems can’t read information in headers and footers.

The Fix: Keep all important information in the main body of your document. If your name appears in a header, make sure it’s also clearly stated at the top of the document body.

11. Save Dates in MM/YYYY Format

The Problem: Inconsistent date formatting confuses ATS parsing.

The Fix: Use a consistent date format throughout your resume. The MM/YYYY format (like “03/2024”) works best for ATS systems. Avoid ranges like “March 2024 – Present” in favor of “03/2024 – Present.”

12. Include Industry-Specific Terms

The Problem: Generic language doesn’t match what recruiters search for in their industry.

The Fix: Research common terms in your target industry and incorporate them naturally. A marketing professional should mention “campaign optimization” and “conversion rates,” while a software developer should include “version control” and “debugging.”

Test Your Resume Before Applying

The best way to ensure ATS compatibility is to test your resume. Copy and paste it into a plain text editor — if the information appears garbled or out of order, the ATS will likely have the same problem.

You can also run your resume through ATS-checking tools that provide real-time scoring and feedback on optimization. Some platforms offer live updates as you make changes, showing exactly how your resume performs against ATS algorithms.

Your Next Step

An ATS-optimized resume is your ticket past the bots and into human hands. But optimization is just the beginning — you also need to tailor your resume for each specific job and ensure it tells a compelling story about your career progression.

Ready to stop getting filtered out and start getting interviews? Learn more at quickcv.io and see how AI-powered resume optimization can transform your job search in minutes, not hours.