Many employers use an applicant tracking system, or ATS, to collect resumes before a person reads them. If the system cannot read your layout, your dates, job titles or contact details can end up in the wrong place.
This guide gives you 10 rules for an ATS-friendly resume, 3 examples for common jobs and a free builder with three starting points. Every example uses one column, standard headings and plain bullets. They are for people with work experience.
AdvertisementThe people, employers and numbers in these examples are fictional. Replace them with your own true information.
How an ATS Reads Your Resume
| What an ATS does | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Sorts your resume into a profile | Your sections are read into separate areas, so clear headings matter |
| Reads only the text it can see | If the scanner cannot see text, the ATS likely cannot either |
| Lets recruiters search by keywords | Use the words from the posting where they are true for you |
| Gives more weight to recent work | Put your best keywords in your latest job and in Skills |
ATS-Friendly Resume Rules
| Part of your resume | ATS-friendly choice | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | One column, left aligned | Two or more columns |
| Tables | Plain lines of text | Tables, which can put a job title next to the wrong dates |
| Headers and footers | Put your name and contact details in the main body | Key details in a header, footer or text box |
| Headings | Standard labels: Summary, Work Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills | Creative labels such as My Journey |
| Fonts | Common fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Georgia, at 10 to 12 points | Decorative fonts, which can turn into garbled characters |
| Graphics | Standard round bullets | Photos, icons, charts and emoji |
| Dates | Title, employer and dates on one line, such as Jan 2022 to Present | Dates in a separate column or text box |
| Keywords | Exact job titles, skills and tools from the posting, used in real bullets | Long keyword lists with no context |
| File type | The type the application asks for. If it does not say, a Word (.docx) file or a text-based PDF | Image-based PDFs or files exported from design tools |
| File size | Keep it small. JazzHR, for example, accepts files up to 5MB | Heavy graphics that make the file large |
3 ATS-Friendly Resume Examples
Quick jump: Customer serviceRegistered nurseAdministrative assistantFree ATS-friendly resume builder
ATS-Friendly Customer Service Resume Example
Charlotte, NC | (555) 010-1701 | sarah.mitchell@email.com
SUMMARY
Customer Service Representative who brings 8 years of solving problems for about 60 customers a day with a 95% satisfaction score. Skilled in clear communication, account records and first-call resolution, and trusted by customers and teammates to keep every conversation calm and productive.
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
• Resolved 92% of customer issues on the first contact
• Earned a 95% customer satisfaction score across about 60 contacts a day
• Coached 6 new representatives a year on systems and call quality
EXPERIENCE
Customer Service Representative, Summit Insurance Group, Charlotte, NC | 2021 to present
• Handle about 60 calls and chats a day with a 95% customer satisfaction score
• Resolve 92% of issues on the first contact
• Cut average call time from 9 minutes to 7 minutes with a quick-answer guide
• Update about 40 customer records a day with 99% accuracy
• Coach 6 new representatives a year on systems and call quality
Call Center Agent, Brightline Communications, Raleigh, NC | 2018 to 2021
• Answered about 70 calls a day and kept hold times under 2 minutes
• Ranked in the top 3 for quality on a team of 25 for 4 quarters
• Resolved 85% of billing questions on the first call
• Logged every call in the system with 98% accuracy
• Covered 20 extra shifts during peak seasons
EDUCATION
Associate Degree in Business | 2018
CERTIFICATIONS
Customer Service Certificate | 2025
Microsoft Office Specialist | 2026
First Aid and CPR | 2025
SKILLS
Customer service | Clear communication | Problem solving | Account records | Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace | Reliability | Coaching
ATS-Friendly Registered Nurse Resume Example
Denver, CO | (555) 010-1702 | nicole.harris@email.com
SUMMARY
Registered Nurse who brings 9 years of safe, steady care on busy medical-surgical units. Skilled in medication safety, patient teaching, charting and teamwork, with a record of higher patient satisfaction and accurate documentation.
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
• Raised patient satisfaction on a 32-bed unit from 86% to 94% in 18 months
• Kept charting errors under 1% across about 6 patients a shift
• Precepted 4 new nurses a year
EXPERIENCE
Registered Nurse, Mercy Valley Hospital, Denver, CO | 2020 to present
• Care for 5 to 6 patients a shift on a 32-bed medical-surgical unit
• Raised patient satisfaction on the unit from 86% to 94% in 18 months
• Give about 30 medications a shift and complete 100% of required safety checks
• Chart about 6 patients a shift with documentation errors under 1%
• Precept 4 new nurses a year
Registered Nurse, Lakeside Community Hospital, Aurora, CO | 2017 to 2020
• Cared for 6 patients a shift on a 28-bed unit
• Cut patient falls by 15% through hourly rounding
• Taught discharge instructions to about 15 patients and families a week
• Joined about 12 rapid-response calls and helped stabilize patients
• Covered 25 extra shifts during flu season
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 2017
CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Life Support (BLS) | 2025
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) | 2025
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification | 2024
SKILLS
Patient care | Medication safety | Charting | Patient teaching | Teamwork | Time management | Attention to detail
ATS-Friendly Administrative Assistant Resume Example
Columbus, OH | (555) 010-1703 | kevin.walker@email.com
SUMMARY
Administrative Assistant who brings 8 years of keeping busy offices organized for executives and teams. Skilled in scheduling, reporting, invoices and records, with a record of accurate work and on-time results.
SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
• Managed calendars and travel for 6 executives with fewer than 2 conflicts a month
• Processed about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy
• Cut document search time by 40% with a new filing system
EXPERIENCE
Administrative Assistant, Greenfield Financial Services, Columbus, OH | 2021 to present
• Manage calendars and travel for 6 executives
• Schedule about 25 meetings a week with fewer than 2 conflicts a month
• Prepare about 10 reports and presentations a month in Excel and PowerPoint
• Process about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy
• Train 3 new assistants a year
Office Assistant, Riverside Law Office, Dayton, OH | 2018 to 2021
• Answered about 50 calls a day and sent each to the right person
• Filed and scanned about 200 documents a week with 99% accuracy
• Cut document search time by 40% with a new filing system
• Ordered supplies for 30 staff and cut costs by 10%
• Covered the front desk on 25 extra days
EDUCATION
Associate Degree in Office Administration | 2018
CERTIFICATIONS
Administrative Professional Certificate | 2025
Microsoft Office Specialist, Excel | 2026
First Aid and CPR | 2025
SKILLS
Scheduling | Calendar management | Invoices | Reports | Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace | Record keeping | Accuracy
Free ATS-Friendly Resume Builder
Step 1. Which job fits you?
Step 2. Tap the skills you really have. They appear in your resume.
Step 3. Match the posting.
This layout is one column with standard headings and plain bullets. Replace the sample name, dates, numbers and employer details with your own true information, and use the exact words from the job posting where they are true for you.
Step 4. Click any text in the resume below and type or modify to make it yours.
SARAH MITCHELL
Charlotte, NC | (555) 010-1701 | sarah.mitchell@email.com
NICOLE HARRIS
Denver, CO | (555) 010-1702 | nicole.harris@email.com
KEVIN WALKER
Columbus, OH | (555) 010-1703 | kevin.walker@email.com
Summary
Customer Service Representative who brings 8 years of solving problems for about 60 customers a day with a 95% satisfaction score. Skilled in clear communication, account records and first-call resolution, and trusted by customers and teammates to keep every conversation calm and productive.
Registered Nurse who brings 9 years of safe, steady care on busy medical-surgical units. Skilled in medication safety, patient teaching, charting and teamwork, with a record of higher patient satisfaction and accurate documentation.
Administrative Assistant who brings 8 years of keeping busy offices organized for executives and teams. Skilled in scheduling, reporting, invoices and records, with a record of accurate work and on-time results.
Selected Achievements
- Resolved 92% of customer issues on the first contact
- Earned a 95% customer satisfaction score across about 60 contacts a day
- Coached 6 new representatives a year on systems and call quality
- Raised patient satisfaction on a 32-bed unit from 86% to 94% in 18 months
- Kept charting errors under 1% across about 6 patients a shift
- Precepted 4 new nurses a year
- Managed calendars and travel for 6 executives with fewer than 2 conflicts a month
- Processed about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy
- Cut document search time by 40% with a new filing system
Experience
Customer Service Representative, Summit Insurance Group, Charlotte, NC | 2021 to present
- Handle about 60 calls and chats a day with a 95% customer satisfaction score
- Resolve 92% of issues on the first contact
- Cut average call time from 9 minutes to 7 minutes with a quick-answer guide
- Update about 40 customer records a day with 99% accuracy
- Coach 6 new representatives a year on systems and call quality
Call Center Agent, Brightline Communications, Raleigh, NC | 2018 to 2021
- Answered about 70 calls a day and kept hold times under 2 minutes
- Ranked in the top 3 for quality on a team of 25 for 4 quarters
- Resolved 85% of billing questions on the first call
- Logged every call in the system with 98% accuracy
- Covered 20 extra shifts during peak seasons
Registered Nurse, Mercy Valley Hospital, Denver, CO | 2020 to present
- Care for 5 to 6 patients a shift on a 32-bed medical-surgical unit
- Raised patient satisfaction on the unit from 86% to 94% in 18 months
- Give about 30 medications a shift and complete 100% of required safety checks
- Chart about 6 patients a shift with documentation errors under 1%
- Precept 4 new nurses a year
Registered Nurse, Lakeside Community Hospital, Aurora, CO | 2017 to 2020
- Cared for 6 patients a shift on a 28-bed unit
- Cut patient falls by 15% through hourly rounding
- Taught discharge instructions to about 15 patients and families a week
- Joined about 12 rapid-response calls and helped stabilize patients
- Covered 25 extra shifts during flu season
Administrative Assistant, Greenfield Financial Services, Columbus, OH | 2021 to present
- Manage calendars and travel for 6 executives
- Schedule about 25 meetings a week with fewer than 2 conflicts a month
- Prepare about 10 reports and presentations a month in Excel and PowerPoint
- Process about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy
- Train 3 new assistants a year
Office Assistant, Riverside Law Office, Dayton, OH | 2018 to 2021
- Answered about 50 calls a day and sent each to the right person
- Filed and scanned about 200 documents a week with 99% accuracy
- Cut document search time by 40% with a new filing system
- Ordered supplies for 30 staff and cut costs by 10%
- Covered the front desk on 25 extra days
Education
Associate Degree in Business | 2018
Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 2017
Associate Degree in Office Administration | 2018
Certifications
- Customer Service Certificate | 2025
- Microsoft Office Specialist | 2026
- First Aid and CPR | 2025
- Basic Life Support (BLS) | 2025
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) | 2025
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification | 2024
- Administrative Professional Certificate | 2025
- Microsoft Office Specialist, Excel | 2026
- First Aid and CPR | 2025
Skills
- Clear communication
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Accuracy
- Record keeping
- Customer service
- Scheduling
- Training others
- Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
To save your resume: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the resume prints. To copy it, select the text inside the resume and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Use Standard Section Headings
| Use this heading | Not this |
|---|---|
| Summary | About Me |
| Work Experience or Experience | My Journey |
| Education | Where I Studied |
| Certifications | Badges and Credentials |
| Skills | What I Do Best |
How to Add Keywords in 6 Steps
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Read the posting | Note the job title, skills, tools and certifications it names |
| 2. Mark repeated terms | Terms that appear several times matter most. Sort them by importance |
| 3. Use the exact words | Write SQL if the posting says SQL, not programming languages |
| 4. Put them in context | Place them in recent job bullets and in your Skills section |
| 5. Stay honest | Include only skills you really have, and do not stuff keywords |
| 6. Save a version per job | Copy your resume and adjust the keywords for each posting |
Common Parsing Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Dates land next to the wrong job | Remove the table and put title, employer and dates on one line |
| Contact details go missing | Move them out of the header into the first lines of the page |
| Odd symbols appear | Switch to a common font and plain round bullets |
| A section is skipped | Rename it with a standard heading |
| Text will not copy out of your PDF | Export a text-based PDF or send a Word file |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Fancy templates. Columns, icons and graphics can break the text order.
- Contact details in the header. Put them in the body.
- Keyword stuffing. Use each term where it is true.
- Creative headings. Use standard labels.
- Typos. Proofread twice.
ATS Resume Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your resume is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
It is a resume an applicant tracking system can read correctly. It uses one column, standard headings, plain text and keywords from the job posting.
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system is software employers use to collect and sort job applications. JazzHR, for example, sorts each resume into sections of a candidate profile.
Should I use a Word file or a PDF?
Follow the application. If it does not say, Checkr calls .docx the most widely supported type and says PDFs work in many systems but not all. Avoid image-only PDFs.
Can an ATS read columns and tables?
They can scramble the text. Checkr and Indeed both advise a single-column layout with no tables.
Should I put my contact information in the header?
No. Put it in the main body. Headers, footers and text boxes are often skipped when a resume is read.
Which fonts are safe?
Common fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Georgia at 10 to 12 points.
How do I find the right keywords?
Pull exact job titles, skills, tools and certifications from the posting, and use them where they are true for you.
Can I use the same resume for every job?
It is better to save a version for each posting and adjust the keywords, as Indeed advises.
Does an ATS-friendly resume still need to look good?
Yes. A person reads it after the system does. Use clear spacing, short bullets and numbers that show your results.
How can I check my resume?
Copy it into a plain text file and see whether the order and dates still make sense. Free scanners such as Jobscan’s can also flag parsing problems.
Conclusion
An ATS-friendly resume is simple on purpose. Use one column, standard headings and plain text, add the exact keywords from the posting and keep every number true. Use the builder above to make yours today.
Related Reading
- Resume format and sections
- What is a skills-based resume
- Resume preparation tips
- Billing specialist resume sample
Sources: Checkr, How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly. JazzHR, ATS Resume Formatting Tips for Today’s Job Candidates. Jobscan, Why Jobscan Can’t Parse Your Resume. Indeed Career Guide, How To Make an ATS Resume. The example resumes, people, employers and numbers are fictional.