How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly in 2025 (and Why It Matters)

If your resume never gets a response, it's possible it was never seen by a human. Learn how to make your resume ATS-friendly in 2025 with expert tips on formatting, keywords, and testing strategies.

If your resume never gets a response, it's possible it was never seen by a human. Today, most medium and large organizations use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter resumes before they reach recruiters.

In 2025, Jobscan reports that 97.8% of Fortune 500 companies have a detectable ATS on their careers pages (Jobscan Report). That means nearly all top companies are gatekeeping with software.

What an ATS Does, and Why It's Not Perfect

An ATS is recruiting software that:

• Parses resumes into structured fields (name, contact, titles, skills, dates)
• Lets recruiters search/filter candidates by keywords and attributes
• Ranks or filters out resumes that don't match criteria

Parsing is imperfect. Layout complexity, tables, and images often confuse ATS systems. Greenhouse notes that resumes with layout complexity or large file sizes may fail to parse correctly (Greenhouse Support). If parsing fails, critical data may never reach the recruiter (Lever Help).

The Hiring Landscape in 2025

Human traits still win. Recruiters still prize communication, teamwork, and problem solving. These rank as top attributes in the NACE Job Outlook 2025 report.

AI + matching systems. Many ATS platforms now integrate AI and internal talent marketplaces, making consistent skill taxonomies and exact keywords even more important.

Regulatory oversight. The EEOC's 2023 guidance warns employers they remain responsible for disparate impact caused by AI-driven tools. In New York City, Local Law 144 requires annual bias audits and candidate notification for AI hiring tools.

Myths & Misunderstandings

• Myth: PDFs are always rejected. Many ATSs accept .pdf. Greenhouse supports .pdf, .docx, .rtf, and .txt (Greenhouse Support). That said, .docx is the safest universal choice.
• Myth: Design makes you stand out. Fancy layouts and images often break parsing (SHRM Guide).
• Myth: Synonyms are equivalent. Recruiters often search literal keywords. "Financial modeling" may not match "built finance models" unless phrased identically.

Formatting & File Best Practices

1. Save as .docx unless the employer requests otherwise.
2. Keep file size small; avoid embedded graphics.
3. Use standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
4. Stick to a single-column format.
5. Avoid nonstandard symbols or decorative bullets.
6. Use consistent date formatting.
7. Name your file clearly: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.docx.

How to Do Keyword Optimization

• Start with the job posting; mirror exact skills, titles, and certifications where true.
• Scan multiple job postings for your target role and note which terms appear most consistently. Use the employer's exact language where truthful to describe your skills.
• Turn vague bullets into measurable outcomes: "Reduced onboarding time by 20%."
• Spread keywords naturally across sections.

Section-by-Section Blueprint

• Header: Name, contact info, LinkedIn.
• Summary: 3–4 lines tying your background to the role.
• Experience: Reverse chronological; job title, company, dates, 3–6 measurable bullets.
• Skills: Grouped by theme; exact tool names.
• Education/Certifications: Degree, institution, year; certifying body.
• Extras: Projects or volunteering if relevant.

Note: U.S. federal resumes must follow USAJOBS requirements, often far longer and more structured (USAJOBS Guide).

How to Test Your Resume Before Applying

1. Upload to a portal and review parsed output.
2. Check keyword coverage against the posting.
3. Cross-check terminology against several job descriptions in your field to ensure you're using the most common and recognizable phrasing.

Altvina Resume Enhancer + Human Services

Final Tips & Cautions

• Never trust "100% ATS-proof" claims; no tool can guarantee that.
• Always follow employer submission instructions.
• Stay current with evolving hiring regulations.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly all large employers use ATS in 2025.
• Use .docx, simple structure, and exact keywords.
• Test your resume with tools like Altvina's.
• Consider professional help for best results.

Content and Accuracy Disclaimer

This article incorporates both human expertise and AI assistance. All facts are drawn from credible, non-paywalled sources (e.g., Jobscan, EEOC, NACE, SHRM). While we strive for accuracy, job market practices and technologies evolve rapidly. Use this content as guidance, not as legal or professional guarantee. Please contact Altvina if you notice errors or need personalized support.