How to Make an ATS Friendly Resume in 2026: Step by Step Guide

Understanding ATS: Why It Matters More Than Ever

ATS — short for Applicant Tracking System — is software companies use to sort, scan, and rank job applications. The goal? To make hiring faster and more data-driven. In 2026, these systems incorporate AI and natural language processing to analyze resumes for keywords, skills, qualifications, and experience.

Here’s what that means from a candidate’s perspective: if your resume isn’t designed to "speak ATS’s language," it may never be seen by human eyes. It’s tempting to think these systems are purely keyword matchers, but modern ATS analyze context, formatting, and even employ predictive ranking based on previous hiring data.

Getting familiar with how ATS works — their parsing nuances, what they value, and common pitfalls — is the cornerstone of creating an effective resume today.

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format for ATS Compatibility

Not all resume formats are created equal when it comes to ATS readability. The most ATS-friendly format in 2026 remains the chronological resume or hybrid/combination format. Avoid creative layouts like overly designed infographics, multi-column layouts, or heavy use of tables that confuse parsing software.

What works:

• Simple, single-column layout
• Clear section headings (Experience, Education, Skills, etc.)
• Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman

What to avoid:

• Headers or footers containing critical info
• Images and graphics
• Text boxes or tables for main content

In our experience, something many candidates overlook is the use of unconventional section titles. Stick to common headings like “Work Experience” rather than “My Journey” to ensure ATS can parse sections correctly.

Step 2: Use Keywords Strategically Without Overstuffing

ATS is built to scan resumes for keywords — but not just blindly. It evaluates how relevant and naturally these keywords appear in your experience and skills sections.

The key lies in analysis of the job description. What are the hard skills, certifications, software tools, and soft skills repeatedly mentioned? Mirror these relevant keywords in your resume, but weave them in naturally.

Remember, keyword stuffing is a red flag. Overusing keywords will make your resume less readable and potentially flagged as spam. Instead, incorporate keywords contextually. For example, if the job calls for “Project Management,” talk about how you applied project management principles in your last role.

We’ve noticed candidates often underestimate the power of including acronyms and full-length forms together — for instance, “Search Engine Optimization (SEO).” This ensures your resume captures ATS scans looking for either term.

Step 3: Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Application

Generic resumes rarely pass the ATS hurdle effectively. Tailoring your resume each time you apply increases your chances drastically.

Start by carefully reviewing the job posting and highlighting the keywords, required skills, and qualifications. Adjust your professional summary, skills section, and experience bullets to reflect these elements authentically.

For instance, if a role emphasizes “data analysis” and “Microsoft Power BI,” explicitly spotlight your achievements or tasks involving these tools.

We’ve seen candidates who invest time personalizing their resumes receive noticeably better interview callbacks. It’s tedious but pays dividends in competitive job markets.

Step 4: Optimize Header and Contact Information for ATS

The basics here often get overlooked but can make or break ATS parsing performance.

Ensure your name, phone number, and email are prominently displayed at the top of your resume. Avoid placing this information in document headers or footers because some systems can’t read those sections properly.

Including your LinkedIn URL or personal website is encouraged but keep the formatting simple: use plain text.

Finally, do not add your photo or unnecessary personal info like birthdate or full address — both ATS and recruiters rarely require these and it can clutter your document.

Step 5: Write Clear and ATS-Compatible Section Headings

Why are section headings so important? ATS uses these markers to categorize information. Using non-standard titles can confuse the system and cause important data to be missed.

Recommended section headings include:

• Professional Summary or Summary
• Work Experience or Employment History
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

If you use multiple roles in a company or part-time gigs, list them clearly under the same employer, but separate each role chronologically with dates.

Many candidates try to get creative here — sometimes leading to critical parsing errors in ATS.

Step 6: Format Job Titles, Dates, and Company Names Clearly

ATS can misinterpret ambiguously formatted job titles or dates. Clarity here is key. For job titles, write exactly as advertised or commonly recognized in your industry.

When listing dates, use consistent formats (e.g., “Jan 2026 – Dec 2026” or “2026 – Present”). Avoid vague entries like “Summer 2026.”

Place dates and locations consistently (right-align or left-align) and don’t embed important info inside tables that ATS might skip.

We’ve seen candidates trip over complex layouts or inconsistent date styles, causing ATS to skip entire experience sections.

Step 7: Highlight Skills Using Bullet Points and Simple Lists

The skills section is a treasure trove for ATS parsing. List your hard skills clearly and separate them using commas or bullet points.

Focus on relevant technical skills, tools, certifications, and languages highlighted in the job description.

Example:

Skills: Data Analysis, Microsoft Power BI, SQL, Agile Methodologies, Team Leadership

This simple style is ATS-friendly and helps recruiters quickly scan your core competencies.

Step 8: Use Standard File Formats and Avoid Excessive Styling

When submitting your resume, stick to standard file formats that ATS can easily parse: DOCX and PDF. While PDFs preserve your resume’s layout, some legacy ATS systems prefer DOCX. If you are unsure, DOCX is the safer bet.

Avoid fancy fonts, colors, or shading. Use black text on a white background with minimal formatting. Excessive bolding, italics, or underlines can confuse ATS.

Keep margins reasonable and stick to simple bullets (like circles or squares). Fancy symbols or emojis can break parsing.

Step 9: Proofread and Test Your Resume Against ATS

Typos and formatting slips can cost you dearly. After finalizing your resume, proofread meticulously for spelling errors, grammar issues, and inconsistent formatting.

Better yet, test your resume with free ATS resume checkers available online to see how well it performs. This step can highlight any areas ATS might misread or miss entirely.

In our experience, candidates who test and adjust their resumes iteratively significantly improve their resume’s pass rates with ATS.

Bonus Tips: What Recruiters Look for Beyond ATS

Remember, ATS is just the first hurdle. Once your resume passes the digital scan, it must impress human recruiters.

Include a compelling professional summary – a few sentences that summarize who you are and your value proposition. Use quantified achievements in your experience section instead of vague duties.

For example, instead of “Handled customer service,” write “Resolved 95% of customer inquiries on first contact, boosting satisfaction rates by 15%.” Real numbers tell compelling stories.

If you want to dig deeper into effective resume crafting strategies, consider visiting CV Owl’s in-depth resume resources. They offer excellent advice on tailoring your resume for modern hiring processes.

Conclusion: Mastering the ATS Friendly Resume in 2026

Making your resume ATS friendly in 2026 requires understanding the evolving technology behind applicant tracking, plus smart formatting and keyword strategies tailored to each role. It’s not about gaming the system or keyword stuffing; it’s about presenting your skills and experience clearly and authentically so both machines and humans recognize your fit.

By choosing an ATS-optimized format, using relevant keywords thoughtfully, and validating your resume’s compatibility, you position yourself strongly for today’s competitive job market.

A well-crafted ATS friendly resume is more than a document—it’s your first impression in a tech-driven hiring landscape.

Start applying these steps today and watch how your job applications begin to get the attention they deserve.