How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume in 2025 (Step-by-Step)

By Nyquist Tech Resume Team
ATS friendly resume scanning process 2025
Pass the ATS scan with ResumeGyani's optimized templates | Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Introduction

Is your resume getting rejected before a human even sees it? It might be the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ResumeGyani helps you beat the bots. Here is how to make an ATS-friendly resume in 2025.

Use Standard Formatting

ATS software struggles with complex layouts. Avoid columns, tables, and graphics. stick to a clean, single-column layout with standard headings like 'Experience' and 'Education'. ResumeGyani's templates are pre-optimized for this.

  • No headers/footers for contact info
  • Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri)
  • No tables or text boxes

Optimize with Keywords

ATS matches your resume against the job description. If the job asks for 'Project Management' and you write 'Managed Projects', it might miss it. Use the exact keywords. Our ATS score checker helps you find these gaps.

  • Mirror job description terms
  • Include both hard and soft skills
  • Don't keyword stuff; be natural

Save as the Right File Type

Unless asked otherwise, always submit a Word doc (.docx) or a PDF. However, some older ATS parse Word docs better. ResumeGyani allows you to download both formats to be safe.

Conclusion

Ready to beat the bots? Create your ATS-friendly resume with ResumeGyani today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.What is the best file format for ATS?

Word (.docx) is generally the safest, but modern ATS handle PDF well. Avoid image-based PDFs.

Q2.How do I know if my resume is ATS friendly?

Use a tool like ResumeGyani's ATS Checker. If you can copy-paste the text from your PDF and it looks clean, it's likely readable.

Ready to take the next step?
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