Your resume formatting can make or break your chances of getting past an Applicant Tracking System. Even the most qualified candidates get rejected because their resume uses a layout the ATS can't parse. Here's everything you need to know about ATS-friendly resume formatting.
Do use a single-column layout. Multi-column layouts look great to human eyes, but ATS software reads left to right, top to bottom. A two-column layout can cause the system to jumble your text, mixing up your skills section with your work history.
Do use standard section headings. Stick with "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Certifications," and "Professional Summary." Creative headings like "My Journey" or "What I Bring to the Table" confuse ATS parsers.
Do save as DOCX. While PDFs are great for preserving formatting, many ATS systems still have trouble parsing them reliably. Unless the job posting specifically requests a PDF, submit a .docx file.
Do use simple fonts. Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, and Helvetica are safe choices. Decorative fonts may not render properly inside ATS systems.
Don't use headers or footers. Information placed in document headers and footers is invisible to most ATS scanners. This includes your contact info, which should be at the top of the main document body.
Don't use tables or text boxes. These visual elements often collapse or get ignored during parsing. Use simple spacing and tabs instead.
Don't include images, logos, or graphics. An ATS cannot read text embedded in images. That includes icons for contact info, company logos, and decorative elements.
Don't use fancy formatting. Underlines, bolding within paragraphs, unusual character spacing, and vertical text all cause parsing errors.
For more on what not to do, check out Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid in 2026.
The best way to check if your resume is ATS-friendly is to copy the entire content into a plain text editor like Notepad. If the text appears jumbled, out of order, or missing content, the ATS will see it the same way.
Every resume template in YoureHyred is tested against the most popular ATS platforms including Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and Taleo. When you build your resume with YoureHyred, you can be confident the formatting won't sabotage your application.
For a complete strategy on beating the bots, see How to Write an ATS Resume That Gets Past the Bots and Does ATS Really Reject Good Resumes?.
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