What Does an ATS-Friendly Resume Look Like in 2025?

If you’re applying for jobs in 2025, it’s likely that the first review of your resume will be conducted by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems scan, rank, and filter resumes before they ever reach a human. If your resume is not optimized for ATS, your application could be missed entirely, even if you are a standout candidate for the role.  

If you're job searching and it feels like your resumes are disappearing into the online abyss, or you've become all too familiar with automated rejections, you need to read on.  

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? 

An ATS is essentially a digital filing cabinet that helps recruiters and employers track their applicants and streamline the recruitment process. There are at least 60 prevalent Applicant Tracking Systems, each of which operates somewhat differently. One of the core features shared by most ATS is their ability to screen and rank applicants for a position based on predefined criteria such as keywords, job titles, skills, and qualifications. 

Why write your resume with ATS in mind? 

Some reports suggest that ATS software can filter out up to 75% of applications before they are ever viewed by a human. While this figure is debated because ATS doesn’t technically discard applications – it sorts and stores applications based on perceived suitability for a position – the influence of ATS on your application is clear. Lower-ranked resumes (applications)  are far less likely to receive an objective glance from a human, particularly in competitive applicant pools. 

So, ask yourself: Do you really want your first impression with a recruiter to be your low suitability score? Additionally, if your resume ranks poorly, how likely is it that a recruiter will spend much time, if any, exploring your candidacy? 

To ensure your resume reaches a real human reviewer, you’ll first need to pass through the ATS with a strong ranking. You can improve your chances by applying to well-matched roles and using ATS-friendly strategies. 

In 2025, an ATS-friendly resume will include:

1. Strategic keyword integration

As with recent years, using the right keywords remains essential – but in 2025, systems are  savvier; they analyze context, not just exact matches. You’ll want to: 

• Mirror language from the job posting 

• Integrate relevant hard and soft skills throughout your resume and support these skills with specific examples 

2. Clean formatting

ATS are designed to read text and work well with simple formatting. While some modern ATS have become more tolerant of graphics and columns, clear and concise formatting remains the gold standard. In 2025, your resume should: 

• Avoid tables, text boxes, and graphics (these features may prevent systems from accurately parsing your resume) 

• Use consistent fonts and clear section headers 

• Be in .docx or .pdf format (while historically .docx was preferred due to greater system compliance, .pdf is now well tolerated, and this format brings the advantage of preserving formatting) 

3. A clear and straightforward structure 

ATS software works well with resumes that follow a predictable and clear structure. While some professionals may benefit from incorporating other sections in their resume, most will benefit from using the following headers: 

• Professional Summary OR Qualifications 

• Core Skills OR Core Competencies 

• Work Experience OR Professional Experience (listed in reverse-chronological order) 

• Education, Training, and Certifications 

Each section should be clearly labeled to ensure easy parsing. 

4. Consistent formatting of previous job titles, company names, and dates 

ATS software analyzes resumes by looking for specific and predictable patterns:

• Job titles should be clearly listed and should also align with common industry terms (if your current or previous job title did not follow common industry terms, you may consider using a better aligned alternative) 

• Company names should be spelled out correctly  

• Employment dates should be formatted consistently (e.g., Apr 2022 – Jun 2025 or 2022 – 2025). 

Inconsistent or unconventional formatting can confuse the system leading to misinterpretations about your work history. 

5. Results-driven content 

ATS systems are increasingly measuring impact. In 2025, it’s not enough to simply list job duties, you need to highlight your achievements using metrics and strong action verbs: 

• “Increased social media engagement by 60%...” 

• “Reduced costs by15%...” 

• “Exceeded quarterly sales targets by 30%” 

• “Led a team of 10 through a successful product launch” 

To sum it up: 

In 2025, an ATS-friendly resume clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the target role, and is structured in a way that can be easily read and interpreted by ATS software.  Overall, ATS-friendly strategies are also human-friendly strategies. Busy recruiters can easily navigate resumes that follow standard formats. They can also seamlessly identify a candidate’s value when their resume highlights skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the target role. By implementing these strategies, you can create a resume that will rank highly with both ATS software and potential employers. 

Need help crafting a resume that gets through the filters and impresses hiring managers? I can help you get shortlisted – and hired! Reach out to discuss your goals.