Are ATS resume formatting mistakes hurting your chances of landing your dream job?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that companies use to sort and filter the flood of applications they receive for each job opening.
If your resume isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS might not be able to read it. This could make it harder for recruiters to find your application.
In this article, I’ll show you how to avoid common formatting mistakes so your resume can be easily found when recruiters search the ATS for candidates.
The 9 most common formatting mistakes to avoid
According to a survey of 384 recruiters, 99.7% of recruiters use an ATS to filter candidates. If your resume can’t be read by the software, it won’t be seen by a recruiter.
Before you send out your resume, check to make sure it doesn’t contain one of these formatting errors that could cost you a job opportunity.
Mistake 1. Using inconsistent or unclear date formats
Dates might seem like a trivial detail, but they matter, especially when it comes to applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Recruiters often filter candidates based on years of experience, and if your dates aren’t formatted clearly, the ATS might not be able to interpret them.
It’s also important to be consistent with your date formatting. Using different formats on the same resume can confuse the ATS.
Correct date formatting
- Jan 2021 – Mar 2023
- January 2021 – March 2023
- 01/2021 – 03/2023
Incorrect date formatting
- Jan ‘21 – Mar ‘23 (apostrophes can confuse ATS)
- 2021 – 2023 (missing months)
- 1/2021 – 3/2023 (month should be two digits)
Always add the month. If you only add the year, some ATS automatically assign a start date of January 1st.
You can avoid all dating errors by using resume scanner. It quickly points out any formatting mistakes, including incorrect date formatting.
Here’s how to use the resume scanner:
Step 1: Upload your resume into the scanner.
Step 2: Paste the job description into the scanner.
Step 3: Click the “scan” button.
You’ll then receive a match report that points out any formatting errors. The report also tells you how to optimize your ATS resume for the job you’re applying to.
Mistake 2. Using unclear abbreviations and acronyms
While an acronym like “CPA” might seem obvious to you, it may not be as clear to an ATS or a hiring manager using keyword filters.
For example, if a recruiter searches for “certified public accountant” and your resume only says “CPA,” your resume might not show up in their search results.
That’s why it’s important to include both the acronym and the long-form version of key terms.
Simply add the acronym in parentheses after the long version so your resume will appear in searches for either term.
Do
“Developed application programming interfaces (APIs) for electronic data interchange (EDI) integration across enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms.”
Don’t
“Developed APIs for EDI integration across ERP platforms.”
“Developed application programming interfaces for electronic data interchange integration across enterprise resource planning platforms.”
Mistake 3. Using graphics, tables, columns, and photos
Some job seekers try to make their resumes stand out with colors, graphics, and tables and columns.
The problem is that most ATS have trouble reading these elements, and your resume could get rejected before a recruiter ever sees it.
Even recruiters aren’t fans of overly designed resumes. They make your resume hard to skim. If recruiters can’t find what they need in seconds, they’ll move on.
Keep your resume simple and uncluttered
“There is no more sure-fire way to get your resume lost in an ATS than to clutter your resume with graphics, tables, and creative fonts. You’ll want to, but don’t do it!”
Jazlyn Unbedacht, Resume Writer & LinkedIn Optimization
But what if you’re in a creative field? Shouldn’t your resume reflect your style?
Not necessarily. Your creativity belongs in your portfolio or website, not on your resume.
If you do want to use color on your resume, stick to subtle, muted tones—like dark blues or soft grays—and use them sparingly to highlight headings.
For bullet points, always use standard black dots. Non-traditional bullet points such as stars, diamonds, and checkboxes do not always get parsed correctly by the ATS.
Mistake 4. Using headers and footers
Job seekers sometimes put additional details or design elements at the very top (header) or bottom (footer) of their resume.
For example, the top of a resume might feature a logo, or the bottom might show page numbers (if the resume is more than one page).
Using headers and footers can cause parsing issues for the ATS, which only focus on the content within the main body of the resume.
resume scanner will tell you if your page setup might cause problems with the ATS.
PRO TIP: Always be sure to have one-inch margins on all sides of your resume. Keep the margins clear of any text.
Mistake 5. Using an uncommon font
This mistake occurs when people want to personalize their resumes too much. Remember, keep it simple.
If your resume font is difficult to read, an ATS may not interpret your information correctly.
Always choose fonts that are widely available and commonly used. We recommend the following fonts:
Recommended fonts
- Cambria
- Garamond
- Georgia
- Palatino
- Arial
- Calibri
- Helvetica
- Tahoma
- Verdana
Don’t use two or more different fonts on your resume. Again, it could confuse the ATS.
As far as font size, we suggest sticking to a 10 to 12-point font.
resume scanner also checks for font issues.
PRO TIP: Times New Roman is a popular font, but it was designed for print, and can look cramped and dated on digital screens.
Mistake 6. Using unconventional headings
Sometimes job seekers like to get creative with their resume section headings. Don’t!
When you use non-standard headings, the ATS may struggle to identify the relevant sections.
Correct section headings
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
- Summary
Incorrect section headings
- What I’ve Done
- My Journey
- Where I Studied
- What I’m Good At
- Highlights of Me
resume scanner will also point out any problems with your section headings.
Mistake 7. Using incorrect file types
A file type is the kind of file you use to save your resume. You can usually tell the file type by the letters at the end of the file name—like .docx, .pdf, or .png.
Different file types store and display information differently. Some file types are more ATS-friendly than others.
If you use the incorrect file type, the ATS might not be able to read your resume.
Correct file types
- Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx) – The .docx format is the newer version and is highly recommended.
- PDF (Portable Document Format) – This file format preserves the original formatting and layout of a document, regardless of the software or device used to view it.
Incorrect file types
- Image Formats (e.g., .jpg, .png)
- Rich Text Format (.rtf)
- HTML Files (.html)
- Microsoft Publisher (.pub)
- Adobe InDesign (.indd)
To make sure you’re using a resume file type that can be read by the ATS, resume scanner. It tells you if there’s a problem with the way you saved your resume.
PRO TIP: It’s always a good idea to check the specific requirements or preferences of the employer. Some may explicitly request resumes in PDF format, while others may prefer Word.
Mistake 8. Not proofreading your resume
According to a survey, 77% of hiring managers said they would reject a resume with any typos or grammatical errors.
Typos signal a lack of attention to detail. If you miss small mistakes on your resume, recruiters will assume you’ll miss bigger ones on the job.
Typos also make your resume look sloppy and unprofessional. And in some cases, they can even prevent the ATS from reading your information correctly.
Proofreading is essential, but it’s easy to miss your own mistakes, especially after staring at the same document for hours.
That’s why it’s a good idea to ask someone else to review your resume. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors you might overlook.
Mistake 9. Treating every ATS the same way
Not all ATS work the same way. Each one has its own features and algorithms, which means they can interpret and score resumes differently.
That’s why it’s important to tailor your resume, not just to the job, but to the specific ATS the company uses.
resume scanner makes this easy by providing ATS-specific tips based on the company you’re applying to.
Follow these steps to get ATS-specific tips after you scan your resume:
Step 1: Click on “update scan information” in the match report.
Step 2: Add the name of the company, the job title, and the url of the job listing.
Step 3: Click “update details.”
You’ll then receive tips for the specific ATS the company uses. In the example below, the company uses iCIMs ATS:
How do ATS parse and analyze resumes?
When you apply for a job online, your resume doesn’t go straight to a recruiter—it goes into an applicant tracking system (ATS).
The first thing the ATS does is parse your resume.
Parsing means the ATS scans your resume and pulls out key information like your work experience, skills, education, and contact details.
It then organizes that data so recruiters can easily search and sort through candidates.
Which keywords do ATS prioritize?
According to a survey of 384 recruiters, most recruiters search for candidates using ATS filters. Here are the resume keywords they’re filtering for the most:
- 76.4% filter by skills
- 59.7% by education
- 55.3% by job title
- 50.6% by certifications or licenses
- 44.3% by years of experience
- 43.4% by location
If your resume doesn’t include these keywords—or if the ATS can’t read them—it may never show up in the search results, even if you’re highly qualified.
That’s why formatting matters. A resume that’s hard to parse can prevent you from getting noticed, no matter how strong your experience is.
How do you know if your resume is ATS-friendly?
The best way to find out if your resume is ATS-friendly is to use an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner. It checks both your keywords and your formatting to make sure your resume is compatible with applicant tracking systems.
Key takeaways
- Formatting matters. Even a well-written resume can get rejected if it’s not formatted correctly for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Use consistent, standard date formats. Always include the month, and keep the format the same throughout your resume.
- Spell out acronyms. Include both the full term and the acronym so your resume appears in all relevant searches.
- Avoid graphics, columns, tables, and non-traditional bullet points. These design elements often confuse the ATS.
- Stick to standard fonts and section headings. Use clean, readable fonts like Calibri or Arial, and headings like “Work Experience” and “Education.”
- Save your file in a compatible format. Use .docx or PDF—never image files or uncommon formats like .rtf or .indd.
- Proofread carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes signal a lack of attention to detail and may prevent your resume from being read.
- Tailor your resume to the specific ATS. Each system is different, and Jobscan can help you optimize for the one your target company uses.
FAQs
What is an ATS resume format?
An ATS resume format is designed to be accurately read and interpreted by an applicant tracking system. When you submit your resume online, it is often processed by an ATS before it reaches the hands of a hiring manager. The ATS scans the resume for relevant keywords, qualifications, and other criteria specified by the employer, and ranks or filters the resumes based on this analysis.
Can using fancy fonts and graphics affect ATS resume parsing?
Yes, using fancy fonts and graphics can indeed affect ATS resume parsing. Applicant tracking systems are designed to scan and interpret text-based resumes. When you use fancy fonts, decorative elements, or graphics, it can hinder the ATS’s ability to read and understand the content accurately.
Are there specific keywords that ATS systems prioritize in resume screening?
Yes, ATS scans resumes for keywords that are related to the job requirements. These keywords describe skills, qualifications, job titles, and education. If your resume doesn’t contain these keywords, it won’t be found by a hiring manager.
How do you know if your resume is ATS-friendly?
The best way to know if your resume is ATS-friendly is to check it with an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . After you upload your resume and the job description to the scanner, it produces a Match Report. This report highlights the skills and keywords you should try to add to your resume.
