Resume & ATS · 2 min read
ATS resume tips that actually work
How to format and keyword your resume so ATS systems rank you higher.
By HuntForTomorrow Editorial, Career Content Team
Published
TL;DR: Use standard headings, avoid tables and graphics, and match job description keywords naturally.
Quick answer: Plain text structure with Role, Company, Dates, and bullet achievements beats fancy design for ATS.
Key facts
- File format
- PDF with selectable text
- Section headings
- Experience, Skills, Education (standard labels)
- Keyword density
- 8–12 JD terms woven into summary + bullets
- Avoid
- Tables, columns, graphics, skill bars
Applicant tracking systems do not judge design—they parse text. Fancy templates often scramble your experience into nonsense. Sellers targeting B2B SaaS roles need resumes that machines can read and humans can scan in under ten seconds.
How ATS parsing actually works
Most ATS tools extract plain text from your PDF or DOCX, then map content into fields: name, experience blocks, skills, education. If your layout uses columns, icons, or nested tables, the parser may merge sections or drop bullets entirely.
Recruiters then search the database with Boolean queries—"Account Executive" AND "SaaS" AND "quota"—so missing keywords silently exclude you.
Formatting rules that survive parsing
Stick to a single column, left-aligned text, and a standard font (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica). Use "Experience" not "Where I have worked." Dates should be consistent: Mon YYYY – Mon YYYY.
- No headers/footers for critical content
- No text inside images or skill bars
- Hyperlinks are fine; avoid bare URLs without anchor text
- File format: PDF with selectable text preferred
Keyword strategy without stuffing
Pull 8–12 terms from each target JD: titles, methodology (MEDDIC, SPIN), motion (outbound, expansion), and stack (Salesforce, HubSpot). Weave them into your summary and the top bullets of your most recent role.
Keyword density matters less than placement. A keyword in your summary and a recent bullet ranks higher than a skills laundry list at the bottom.
Test before you apply
Copy-paste your resume into a plain text editor. If the order looks wrong, ATS will struggle too. Tools that score "ATS fit" are directional—manual JD comparison beats a single magic score.
See our resume keywords guide for role-specific terms and our ultimate resume guide for full structure.
Summary
How to format and keyword your resume so ATS systems rank you higher.
Frequently asked questions
- Ats
- Resume