Make sure your resume passes automated screening systems
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) automatically scan and filter millions of resumes every day. If your resume doesn't pass these automatic filters, it gets deleted before a human ever sees it. Use this checklist to verify your CV's ATS compatibility.
ATS is software that HR departments use to automate the application process. ATS systems scan resumes, search for keywords, and automatically eliminate unsuitable resumes. Most large companies in India (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Amazon, Flipkart) use ATS systems.
Use PDF or Word (.docx) format. Don't save in Google Docs, Pages, or other formats.
Tip: ATS systems read PDF and Word files best. Alternative formats can create issues.
✓ Correct: CV.pdf ✗ Wrong: CV.pages, CV.gdoc
Design your resume in a single-column layout. Don't use two columns, sidebars, or tables.
Tip: ATS can't parse multiple columns and information gets mixed up. Single column = ATS safety.
✓ Correct: Name → Email → Experience (one column) ✗ Wrong: Experience on left, Education on right
Use standard, common fonts: Arial, Calibri, Verdana, Times New Roman, Courier New.
Tip: Exotic or special fonts may not be read by ATS and result in text loss.
✓ Correct: Arial 11pt ✗ Wrong: Brush Script, Garamond 8pt
Instead of icons for phone (), email (), or LinkedIn (), use plain text.
Tip: ATS can't read symbols and icons. Write Phone, Email, LinkedIn as plain text.
✓ Correct: Phone: +91 98765 43210 ✗ Wrong: ☎ +91 98765 43210
Write section headers as text. Don't use shapes, lines, or decorations.
Tip: ATS skips graphics and shapes. Headers must be clear and easy to read.
✓ Correct: WORK EXPERIENCE ✗ Wrong: ─── WORK EXPERIENCE ───
Read the job posting carefully. Note 10 keywords and add them to your resume.
Tip: ATS looks for keywords from the job posting. If you don't include them, you're eliminated.
Posting says: 'Python, AWS, Agile' → Add to CV: 'Python, AWS, Agile Scrum'
Except for IT companies, don't add a photo to your resume.
Tip: Photos aren't processed by ATS and increase file size. Plus, discrimination risk.
✓ Correct: No photo ✗ Wrong: Official photo added
Don't use multicolored resume designs. Black text, gray headers, and one accent color is enough.
Tip: Colorful resumes may look nice, but ATS may have trouble extracting the text.
✓ Correct: Black text, dark gray headers ✗ Wrong: Purple, blue, green headers
Use • or - for bullet points. Don't use special symbols (►, ★, ◆).
Tip: ATS reads standard bullet points. Special symbols are skipped or cause errors.
✓ Correct: • Achievement 1, • Achievement 2 ✗ Wrong: ★ Achievement 1, ◆ Achievement 2
Check for typos and grammatical errors. Pay attention to details.
Tip: Some ATS systems don't recognize misspelled words and your resume gets filtered out.
✓ Correct: Senior Software Engineer ✗ Wrong: Senor Software Enginer (typos)
To ensure your resume is ATS-compatible, do this simple test:
By following simple rules, you can easily prepare an ATS-compatible resume:
Our templates are designed from scratch with ATS compatibility in mind. Start now — all technical issues are solved.