ATS Resume AI Blog

Tag: resume-tips

  • ATS Resume Formatting Guide: Fonts, Margins, and Layout Tips for 2025

    Formatting your resume the wrong way can get it instantly rejected by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Many job seekers don’t realize that tables, graphics, columns, and even font choices can break ATS parsing and cost them interviews. In this guide, you’ll learn how to format your resume for ATS success in 2025—down to the best fonts, margins, line spacing, and layout choices.

    Why ATS Resume Formatting Matters

    Most companies use ATS software to scan and filter resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems extract data like job titles, skills, and education using basic rules. Poor formatting can:

    • Make your resume unreadable by the ATS
    • Misplace or lose important sections
    • Result in an empty or broken candidate profile

    📉 More than 70% of resumes are rejected due to formatting or keyword mismatches

    ✅ ATS-Friendly Resume Formatting Checklist

    ElementRecommendation
    Font TypeArial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, Georgia
    Font Size11–12 pt body text, 14–16 pt section headings
    Line Spacing1.0 to 1.15 for readability
    Margins0.75″ to 1″ on all sides
    LayoutSingle column only
    File Format.docx or ATS-safe PDF

    1. Best Fonts for ATS Compatibility

    Use clean, standard system fonts that ATS systems can parse without issue:

    • ✅ Good Fonts: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, Times New Roman, Verdana
    • ❌ Avoid: Comic Sans, Courier, Garamond, custom or script fonts

    🛠️ Tip: Use bold and all-caps sparingly—for section headers only

    2. Ideal Font Sizes

    • Body Text: 11 or 12 pt
    • Section Headings: 14–16 pt
    • Name (Header): 18–22 pt (optional)

    Too small = hard to read. Too large = ATS misreads spacing.

    3. Proper Margins for ATS Resumes

    • Use 0.75″ to 1″ on all sides
    • Avoid using narrow margins below 0.5″—some ATS tools clip content

    📏 Consistent spacing between sections improves readability

    4. ATS-Friendly Resume Layout

    • Stick to a single-column layout
    • Do not use:
      • Text boxes
      • Tables or columns
      • Graphics or logos
      • Icons or visual skill bars

    ✅ Instead:

    • Use standard section headers like:
      • Work Experience
      • Education
      • Skills
      • Certifications

    5. File Format: DOCX vs PDF

    • .DOCX (Microsoft Word) is the most widely accepted and ATS-safe format
    • PDF is okay if the job post accepts it—but make sure it’s not image-based
    • ❌ Do not upload .pages, .odt, or Canva-based resumes

    ✅ Use our ATS Resume AI tool to check file compatibility before submitting

    Common Formatting Mistakes That Break ATS Parsing

    ❌ Using tables to align dates and job titles
    ❌ Putting your name/contact info in headers or footers
    ❌ Using special symbols (☑, ➤, ★)
    ❌ Saving your resume as an image-based PDF or screenshot
    ❌ Using multiple columns or sidebars

    Example: ATS-Friendly vs. ATS-Blocked Resume

    ❌ Bad:

    • Two-column layout with icons and skill bars
    • Fonts: Garamond + script headings
    • Tables for layout

    ✅ Good:

    • Single-column format
    • Calibri, 11 pt body, 14 pt headings
    • Standard section names
    • No graphics, all text is selectable

    Want to Make Sure Your Resume is ATS-Compatible?

    Instead of guessing, use our ATS Resume AI tool to:

    • Check formatting for ATS compatibility
    • Scan for font issues and layout problems
    • Score your resume for job match
    • Automatically rewrite your resume to meet formatting + keyword requirements

    👉 Scan and Optimize Your Resume Now →

    FAQ: ATS Resume Formatting

    Q: Can I use bold or italics?

    A: Yes, but use sparingly. Avoid underlining. Bold is best for headings and job titles.

    Q: Are Canva resumes ATS-friendly?

    A: Usually not. Most use columns and graphics that break ATS parsing.

    Q: Can I use color?

    A: Light use of black, dark gray, or navy blue for section headers is acceptable. Avoid backgrounds and images.

    Q: Should I use bullet points?

    A: Yes! Use simple round or dash bullets (• or –). Avoid arrows or checkboxes.

    Internal Resources to Help You Format Your Resume

    Final Tips

    ✅ Stick to simple, clean design
    ✅ Avoid elements that confuse parsing tools
    ✅ Use standard fonts, spacing, and headers
    ✅ Use an ATS checker before applying

    🎯 Want to be sure your resume formatting is perfect?

    👉 Scan your resume now with ATS Resume AI →

  • How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description (Step-by-Step + Examples)

    If you’re sending the same resume to every job, you’re doing it wrong. Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are looking for resumes that match the job description closely. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to tailor your resume to any job description in 2025 — with real examples, a step-by-step process, and a powerful AI tool to do it in seconds.

    Why Tailoring Your Resume Matters

    • ATS Filters: Most resumes are rejected because they don’t contain the right keywords.
    • Recruiters Scan Fast: You have about 6 seconds to grab attention.
    • Personalization Wins: Tailored resumes show effort and alignment.

    “The more closely your resume mirrors the job description, the higher your chances of getting shortlisted.” – Resume Expert

    Step-by-Step: How to Tailor Your Resume

    1. Read the Job Description Carefully

    Look for:

    • Job title (and variations)
    • Required skills and tools
    • Key responsibilities
    • Certifications or degrees

    2. Highlight Keywords and Phrases

    Examples:

    • Tools: Salesforce, Python, Excel
    • Skills: Stakeholder Management, UX Design, Cross-functional Collaboration
    • Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership

    3. Match the Job Title

    If your experience fits, match the job title in your resume header or summary.

    ✅ Example: “Digital Marketing Specialist” instead of “Marketing Coordinator”

    4. Update Your Professional Summary

    Include:

    • The target job title
    • 2–3 key skills from the job post
    • A value proposition or achievement

    ✅ Example:

    Digital Marketing Specialist with 4+ years of experience improving SEO performance, running paid campaigns, and managing CRM systems like HubSpot.

    5. Customize Work Experience

    For each role:

    • Rewrite bullet points to reflect the language of the job description
    • Highlight achievements using similar terms

    6. Reorder Skills and Tools

    Move the most relevant ones to the top of your skills section.

    Real Example: Tailoring for a Marketing Role

    Job Description Says:

    Looking for a marketing specialist with experience in SEO, SEM, Google Ads, and HubSpot CRM.

    Before (Generic Resume):

    “Managed digital marketing campaigns for various clients.”

    After (Tailored Resume):

    “Managed and optimized SEO/SEM campaigns across Google Ads, improving CTR by 28%. Maintained CRM workflows in HubSpot.”

    Free Tools to Tailor Your Resume

    🧠 Manual Method (Good for 1–2 Jobs/Week)

    • Copy/paste job description into a doc
    • Highlight keywords
    • Manually edit resume sections

    ⚡ Fast Method: Use AI

    Use ATS Resume AI to tailor your resume in under 60 seconds:

    ✅ Upload your resume
    ✅ Paste the job description or LinkedIn job URL
    ✅ Get a keyword-matched, ATS-optimized resume instantly

    👉 Tailor My Resume Now →

    FAQ: Tailoring Resumes

    Q: Should I tailor my resume for every job?

    A: Yes — especially for competitive or high-skill roles.

    Q: Can I use ChatGPT to tailor resumes?

    A: You can, but tools like ATS Resume AI provide structured, formatted output and keyword scoring.

    Q: How many keywords should I include?

    A: Focus on hard skills, tools, and job-specific responsibilities. Natural use is key.

    Q: What if I don’t meet all the requirements?

    A: Highlight transferable skills and reframe your experience to show alignment.

    Internal Resources to Help You Tailor Better

    Final Thoughts

    Tailoring your resume is no longer optional — it’s the standard. Recruiters want to see that you’ve made the effort to align with the role.

    ✅ Start with a clean ATS-friendly template
    ✅ Mirror the job description’s keywords
    ✅ Use a resume optimizer to automate and improve your results

    🎯 Want to skip the manual work?

    👉 Use ATS Resume AI to tailor your resume in seconds →