How to Check if Your Resume is ATS-Friendly

Wondering if your resume is ATS-friendly? This guide shows you how to use an ATS friendly resume scanner to identify and fix formatting issues that cause automatic rejections.

What Makes a Resume ATS-Friendly?

An ATS-friendly resume is one that:

Can be properly parsed by applicant tracking systems
Uses simple, readable formatting
Contains relevant keywords in standard sections
Avoids images, tables, and complex layouts
Uses standard fonts and section headings

Why ATS-Friendly Formatting Matters

Understanding the need for an ATS checker online free tool:

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before humans see them
Beautiful design doesn't matter if ATS can't read it
One formatting error can make you appear unqualified
ATS-friendly doesn't mean ugly - it means compatible

Step 1: Use JobShinobi's ATS Checker

To check if your resume is ATS-friendly:

Sign up for JobShinobi (free)
Upload your resume
Click "Analyze Resume"
Review the ATS compatibility report

Our ATS friendly scanner checks 50+ compatibility factors instantly.

Step 2: Review Common ATS Issues

The best ATS scanner identifies these critical problems:

Formatting Issues

Tables and columns: ATS can't read multi-column layouts
Text boxes: Content in text boxes gets ignored
Headers/footers: Information here may not be parsed
Images/logos: ATS can't read image-based text
Graphics/charts: Visual elements are invisible to ATS

Font Problems

Unusual fonts: Stick to Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman
Font size: Use 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headings
Special characters: Some symbols don't parse correctly

Section Heading Issues

Creative headings: Use standard terms (Experience, Education, Skills)
Missing sections: Include all major resume sections
Non-standard order: Follow conventional resume structure

Step 3: Fix ATS Compatibility Issues

Using feedback from the ATS friendly resume scanner:

Quick Fixes

Remove tables: Convert to simple bullet point lists
Simplify layout: Use single column format
Change fonts: Switch to ATS-safe fonts
Fix headings: Use standard section names
Remove graphics: Delete images, logos, charts
Flatten design: Eliminate text boxes and shapes

Content Improvements

Move header/footer info to main body
Spell out abbreviations first time used
Use standard date formats (MM/YYYY)
Include keywords in standard sections
Remove special characters from job titles

Step 4: Re-test Your Resume

After fixes, use the ATS checker online free again:

Upload your updated resume
Run the ATS check again
Verify all issues are resolved
Aim for 90+ ATS compatibility score

ATS-Friendly Resume Template Structure

The best ATS scanner recommends this structure:

Optimal Resume Sections (in order)

Contact Information - Name, phone, email, LinkedIn, location
Professional Summary - 2-3 sentences with keywords
Skills - Bulleted list of relevant skills
Work Experience - Company, title, dates, achievements
Education - Degree, school, graduation date
Certifications (if applicable)
Additional Sections (Projects, Volunteer, Languages)

ATS-Friendly Formatting Checklist

Verify your resume passes this ATS friendly scanner checklist:

Layout & Design

✓ Single column layout
✓ No tables or text boxes
✓ No headers or footers
✓ No images or graphics
✓ Standard margins (0.5-1 inch)
✓ Consistent formatting throughout

Fonts & Text

✓ Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
✓ 10-12pt font for body text
✓ 14-16pt for name/headings
✓ No decorative fonts
✓ Black text on white background

Sections & Content

✓ Standard section headings
✓ Clear job titles and company names
✓ Dates in MM/YYYY format
✓ Contact info in main body (not header)
✓ Relevant keywords included
✓ No acronyms without explanation

File Format

✓ PDF or DOCX format
✓ Descriptive filename (FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf)
✓ No password protection
✓ No scanned images of resumes

ATS-Friendly vs. Creative Resumes

When to Use ATS-Friendly Format

Applying to large companies
Submitting through online job boards
Corporate positions
Government jobs
Any application through an ATS

When Creative Design Works

Directly emailing hiring managers
Creative industry positions (design, marketing)
Startup companies
Networking events
Portfolio presentations

Common ATS-Friendly Mistakes

Don't Do This:

Use fancy templates from Canva or Creative Market
Put contact info only in header/footer
Use tables to organize experience
Include photos or headshots
Use symbols or special characters for bullets
Create infographic-style resumes
Use creative section names like "My Journey"

Testing Multiple ATS Systems

JobShinobi's ATS friendly resume scanner tests against:

Workday - Used by 45% of Fortune 500
Taleo - Oracle's ATS platform
Greenhouse - Popular with tech companies
Lever - Modern ATS for startups
iCIMS - Enterprise recruitment software

Why JobShinobi is the Best ATS Scanner

What makes our ATS checker online free superior:

50+ compatibility checks - Most comprehensive testing
Real ATS engines - Tests against actual systems
Instant feedback - Results in seconds
Fix guidance - Specific instructions for each issue
Before/after comparison - Track improvements
100% free - No limitations or paid upgrades

Start Checking Your Resume

Don't let formatting issues cost you opportunities. Use JobShinobi's ATS friendly resume scanner to ensure your resume passes every ATS system.

Check ATS Compatibility Now →