Think of ATS as a bouncer at an exclusive club. Your resume needs to be on the guest list — and the guest list is a checklist of formatting rules, keywords, and structural requirements. Miss one, and you're not getting in. Here's the complete 20-point checklist to make sure your resume passes every time.
Formatting Checklist (Points 1-7)
- •✅ Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Georgia (10-12pt)
- •✅ Set margins to 1 inch on all sides — narrower margins can cause parsing errors
- •✅ Use single-column layout only — no sidebars, no tables, no columns
- •✅ Save as .docx (most ATS-compatible) or PDF — check the job posting for preference
- •✅ No headers/footers — contact info in the body of the document only
- •✅ No images, logos, icons, or charts — ATS cannot read visual elements
- •✅ Use standard section headings: 'Work Experience', 'Education', 'Skills', 'Certifications'
Content Checklist (Points 8-14)
- •✅ Include a 'Core Competencies' or 'Skills' section with 12-15 keywords from the job description
- •✅ Write a 3-4 line professional summary (not an objective statement)
- •✅ Use exact keywords from the JD — don't paraphrase or use synonyms
- •✅ Spell out acronyms first: 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO)'
- •✅ Quantify every achievement: numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, time saved
- •✅ Use standard date formats: 'Jan 2022 – Present' or '01/2022 – Present'
- •✅ Include location for each role: City, State (or Country for international)
ATS-Specific Checklist (Points 15-20)
- •✅ Submit only the file type requested — if they ask for .docx, don't send .pdf
- •✅ File name your resume properly: 'FirstName_LastName_Resume_2026.docx'
- •✅ No text boxes, WordArt, or SmartArt — ATS reads these as empty
- •✅ Don't use the same resume for every job — tailor keywords per application
- •✅ Run your resume through an ATS scanner before submitting
- •✅ Check that all experience dates are sequential with no unexplained gaps
Resumes that follow this checklist score 40-60% higher on ATS
Based on LeadRises analysis of 50,000+ optimized resumes
Quick Self-Audit: Does Your Resume Pass?
- •Can you select and copy all text without issues? (If not, the ATS can't read it either.)
- •Are there any tables, columns, or text boxes? (If yes, remove them immediately.)
- •Does the file name include your name? (If it's 'resume_final_v3.pdf', rename it now.)
LeadRises Pro Tip
Don't guess — verify. The LeadRises AI Resume Builder includes a real ATS scanner that scores your resume against actual ATS algorithms. It tells you exactly what to fix, which keywords you're missing, and what your score would be if you applied right now. Takes 10 seconds.
What's the biggest ATS mistake people make?
Using a creative or graphic-heavy resume template. Fancy layouts with columns, text boxes, and icons consistently score 30-50% lower on ATS scans than clean, single-column formats.
Can I use the same resume for multiple job applications?
You can, but you shouldn't. Customizing keywords for each job description increases your ATS match rate by 35-50%. LeadRises AI Resume Builder can tailor your resume to any job in under 30 seconds.
Is a PDF or Word document better for ATS?
.docx is the safest bet — it's universally readable by ATS. PDFs work with modern ATS systems but may fail with older ones. When in doubt, use .docx. Always check the job posting for specific requirements.