ATS Resume Format: What to Use and What to Avoid

An applicant tracking system (ATS) stores and searches resumes. It is not a mysterious AI judge. If your file uses unusual fonts, text in images, or complex tables, the parser may miss your job titles and dates. MineResume templates use standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills) for that reason.

Formatting that usually parses

• Single main column of text, or a simple sidebar with labels (email, skills) as real text.
• Standard section names: Experience, Education, Skills, Summary.
• Job title, company, and dates on separate, readable lines.
• PDF export from a text-based layout — not a screenshot of a resume.
• Keywords copied from the job post only where they match real work.

Formatting that often fails

• Skills drawn as icons or charts instead of words.
• Headers and footers that hide contact details.
• Two-page designs with tiny fonts to cram everything in.
• Keyword stuffing at the bottom in white text.

A simple keyword method

Open the job description. Highlight tools, methods, and responsibilities you actually have. Put those phrases in Skills and in one or two experience bullets. Do not list a tool you cannot discuss in an interview.

File type

Follow the posting. If it asks for PDF, export from MineResume. After export, search the PDF for your phone number to confirm it is selectable text, not an image.

Section names that match parsers

Prefer Experience, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Projects, Certifications. Avoid cute labels like “My journey” or “What I bring.” Some systems map only the common words.