ATS Friendly Personal Details Section: What the Software Reads

Understanding ATS: Why Personal Details Matter More Than You Think

Most professionals focus their energy on keywords in job descriptions and formatting their work experience. While these are vital, the personal details section often quietly influences the ATS outcome. ATS software looks for your name, contact information, and sometimes location data — crucial variables for sorting candidates and matching them to roles.

In our experience working closely with recruiters, we’ve seen resumes filtered out simply because the software couldn’t properly extract essential contact data. Imagine your application not reaching the reviewer just because the system couldn’t find your email or phone number!

What ATS Software Actually Reads in Personal Details

• Full Name: First and last name must be clearly identifiable and not embedded in headers or graphics.
• Phone Number: Typically, one phone number is expected, preferably in an easy-to-parse format.
• Email Address: The primary email you want recruiters to use; spammy or odd emails can hurt perception.
• Location: Usually a city and state or city and country — exact address is optional.
• LinkedIn URL or Professional Website: Optional but useful if included as plain text.

Anything outside of these, like date of birth or marital status, rarely benefits ATS parsing and can even cause issues, especially with systems screening for demographic information.

Common ATS Parsing Challenges with Personal Details

ATS systems use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) but are far from perfect — certain resume design choices can confuse them. Here are some problems we’ve observed firsthand:

Embedding Contact Info in Headers/Footers or Graphics

Many candidates rely on fancy headers or text boxes, thinking it makes their resume more modern. Unfortunately, most ATS can't read text embedded in image files or the header/footer areas. This means your phone number or email might be invisible to screening software.

Unusual Formats or Symbols

Formatting phone numbers with parentheses, dots, or international signs (e.g., +44) is fine, but overly ornate or inconsistent patterns can throw parsing algorithms off.

Multiple Phone Numbers or Emails

Providing several phone numbers or emails can confuse the ATS about which to pull, leading to errors or omissions.

Missing Location Details

Some ATS filters prioritize candidates by location. Omitting any city or region might mean your resume gets sidelined.

How to Format Your Personal Details for Maximum ATS Compatibility

There’s a straightforward formula to get your personal details section right. Remember: simplicity and clarity trump style when it comes to ATS parsing.

1. Position Your Personal Details at the Top of Your Resume

The top of your document, just below your name, is prime real estate — and where ATS expects to find your contact info. Avoid placing this info in the margins or sidebars, as some ATS scan linearly from the top left.

2. Use Plain Text, No Images or Fancy Formatting

Keep your phone number, email, and location in plain text. Avoid text inside images or non-standard fonts. Stick to one or two standard fonts across your whole resume.

3. Write a Clear, Complete Location

Include city, state/province, and country if appropriate. For example, “Austin, TX” or “London, UK.” This helps ATS geo-filters function correctly.

4. Format Phone Numbers Simply

Use formats like 123-456-7890 or +1 123 456 7890; consistency matters more than style. Avoid extensions unless critical, and don’t crowd multiple numbers.

5. Use a Professional Email Address

The email should be a professional one that you check regularly—preferably a variation of your name rather than nicknames or work emails from current employers. For example, john.smith@email.com.

6. Include LinkedIn or Professional URLs as Plain Text

ATS can read URLs but only if they are plain text—not hyperlinked or embedded. For instance: https://linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Want to learn more in-depth about what personal details recruiters seek? Check out our comprehensive guide on Personal Details in a Resume: A 2026 Recruiter Approved Breakdown.

What Not to Include in the Personal Details Section

It’s tempting to fill this area with lots of info. But remember, ATS and recruiters only need certain key details.

Avoid: Excessive Personal Info

• Date of birth or age — unnecessary and could trigger bias
• Marital status or social status
• Summary or objective statements in this section — keep those elsewhere
• Photos or images — these often confuse ATS and may be inappropriate depending on region

Focus On:

Essential contact info only—this protects your privacy and keeps ATS happy.

Real-World Tips to Test and Improve Your ATS-Friendly Personal Details

We’ve seen candidates spend countless hours crafting bulletproof resumes, only to overlook ATS parsing of their personal details. Here’s how to avoid that pitfall:

1. Run Your Resume Through ATS Simulators

Several free and paid tools online simulate how ATS will read your resume, highlighting if contact info is missed or misread.

2. Use Standard Headings

Label your section as “Contact Information” or “Personal Details”—avoid creative titles like “Who I Am” where the ATS might miss context.

3. Keep It Concise

Don’t overload your contact section. One phone, one email, simple city/state line. Recruiters will appreciate the clarity.

4. Format for Mobile and Desktop

Many resumes get read on mobile devices—make sure your personal details are crisp and visible regardless of screen size.

How Recruiters Use Personal Details Beyond ATS Parsing

Once your resume passes the ATS, a human recruiter looks at your personal details for quick verification and context. An obscure email address or missing city might raise red flags or slow their process.

In our experience, recruiters appreciate resumes that present clear, professional personal details without distractions. When done well, your candidate profile appears polished and credible.

Final Thoughts: Nail Your Personal Details Section to Pass ATS and Impress Recruiters

Crafting an ATS-friendly personal details section is a simple but crucial step toward getting your resume noticed. It’s about clarity, simplicity, and the right info—not flashy design or extra content.

If you keep your personal details easily parsable, accurately filled out, and free from unnecessary clutter, you dramatically increase the chances your resume moves forward.

Remember, every detail counts — especially those first lines.

Enhance your resume further by exploring our detailed breakdown on resume personal details here. Your future self will thank you.