How to Write an ATS Resume to Impresses Bots and Hiring Managers

When applying for jobs, your resume needs to do more than just list your experience—it has to pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and still impress the hiring manager. Many job seekers focus solely on writing a resume that gets past the ATS, stuffing their resumes with keywords and stripping them of all personality traits. But the truth is, even if an ATS ranks your resume highly, a recruiter still has the final say.

The key to success is writing a resume that works for both. This means using the right keywords and structure to get through the ATS while keeping the content engaging and easy to read for humans. A well-crafted resume isn’t just about listing qualifications; it tells a story about your skills and achievements in a way that makes hiring managers take notice.

The dual audience: ATS vs. human recruiters

An ATS is designed to scan and rank resumes based on keywords, formatting, and structure. It filters out resumes that don’t match a job’s requirements, helping recruiters narrow down a large pool of candidates. If a resume doesn’t meet the system’s criteria, it may never be seen by a human.

However, once a resume makes it past the ATS, it’s judged by an entirely different standard. Hiring managers don’t just look for the right keywords—they look for clarity, personality, and impact. A resume filled with robotic phrases or excessive jargon might get through the software, but it won’t engage the person reading it.

This is where balance becomes essential. Format your resume so the ATS can read it while structuring it logically with strong, engaging language that captures a recruiter’s interest. Optimize every section for both audiences to ensure your application passes the software test and leaves a lasting impression.

Choosing a resume format that works for both

A well-structured resume follows a format that is both ATS-friendly and visually appealing to recruiters. The reverse-chronological format is the best choice for most job seekers because it presents work history in a clear, logical order. Since ATS software is designed to scan text in a predictable sequence, this resume format ensures that job titles, dates, and descriptions are properly recognized.

Functional resumes, which focus on skills rather than work history, often confuse both ATS software and recruiters. ATS systems often struggle to categorize skills when companies don’t link them to specific job experiences. Similarly, overly designed resumes with tables, graphics, or multiple columns may look modern, but they can prevent an ATS from reading the content correctly.

A simple, text-based layout with clear section headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting is ideal. It ensures that an ATS can parse the information while making it easy for a recruiter to scan. White space, readable fonts, and a logical flow make a resume more approachable, increasing the chances that a hiring manager will take the time to read it thoroughly.

Here’s a selection of resume templates that are ATS-friendly:

ATS-friendly resume template

Resume template for ATS

ATS-compatible Resume Template

Writing a compelling professional summary

The professional summary is often the first thing a hiring manager sees, making it one of the most important sections of your resume. This brief paragraph at the top should highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments in a way that grabs attention. It needs to be concise, keyword-rich, and engaging—structured to get past the ATS while also sparking interest in human readers.

One mistake job seekers make is cramming in as many industry keywords as possible, creating a block of text that feels unnatural. While keywords are essential, they should be woven into a narrative that demonstrates real value. Instead of simply stating, “Experienced marketing professional skilled in SEO, content creation, and digital strategy,” a stronger summary might read:

“Results-driven marketing specialist with five years of experience developing SEO strategies that increased website traffic by 50%. Skilled in content creation and digital campaigns that drive engagement and revenue growth.”

This approach not only includes important keywords but also tells a story about achievements. Recruiters don’t just want to see a list of skills; they want to see proof of how those skills made an impact. A compelling summary sets the tone for the rest of the resume, making both the ATS and hiring managers take notice.

Optimizing work experience for ATS and recruiters

Your work experience section is where hiring managers and ATS software look for proof that you are qualified for the job. To make this section effective, each entry should be formatted consistently, including job titles, company names, locations, and dates of employment. ATS systems look for this standard structure, and any deviation—such as missing dates or unrecognized job titles—can cause issues.

Beyond formatting, how you describe your experience matters just as much. Instead of listing job duties, focus on accomplishments that showcase your skills and impact. Strong resumes use action verbs and measurable results to paint a clear picture of past successes. For example, instead of writing “Responsible for managing a team and improving sales,” a stronger statement would be “Led a team of five sales representatives, increasing revenue by 30% in six months.” This type of language appeals to both ATS keyword scanning and human decision-making.

Additionally, integrating keywords from the job description naturally within your bullet points ensures that the ATS recognizes your resume as a good match. However, stuffing keywords without context—such as listing “project management, team leadership, strategic planning” without supporting details—can backfire when a hiring manager reviews it. The key is to align your experience with the employer’s needs while maintaining a smooth and natural flow.

Crafting a skills section that stands out

The skills section is one of the most straightforward ways to optimize and write an ATS resume for scanning. However, it’s not just about listing random skills—it should be strategic, concise, and tailored to each job application.

ATS systems scan for both hard skills (technical skills like “data analysis” or “Python programming”) and soft skills (traits like “communication” or “leadership”). Soft skills matter, but they carry less weight in ATS rankings unless directly tied to job requirements. That’s why it’s best to prioritize hard skills that match the job posting.

A well-organized skills section should be formatted in a way that is easy for both ATS and recruiters to scan quickly.

For example, instead of writing a long paragraph, use a bulleted list:

• Technical Skills: JavaScript, Python, SQL, SEO optimization, data analysis
• Marketing Skills: Google Ads, social media strategy, content marketing, brand management

Including too many skills—especially ones that aren’t relevant—can dilute the impact of this section. The goal is to showcase your strongest qualifications in a way that enhances both ATS compatibility and recruiter appeal.

Common mistakes when writing an ATS resume that turn off recruiters

Many job seekers make the mistake of focusing only on writing an ATS resume without considering what happens next. While writing an ATS resume may rank you highly based on keyword usage, hiring managers will quickly reject it if it feels unnatural, generic, or difficult to read.

One common mistake is keyword stuffing—forcing too many industry terms into the text in a way that feels robotic. For example, a sentence like “Skilled in project management, team leadership, project execution, strategic planning, and stakeholder communication” might pass ATS filters, but it lacks context and impact. Instead, skills should be naturally incorporated within job descriptions and achievements.

Another issue is poor formatting choices. While ATS software struggles with graphics, tables, and non-standard fonts, recruiters dislike resumes that feel overly plain or lack a logical flow. A well-organized resume with proper headings, spacing, and a balance between text and white space is ideal.

Additionally, neglecting human readability by making the resume too long or filled with dense text can also be a red flag. Even if a resume has great content, if it’s overwhelming to read, recruiters may skim past it. Keeping your resume concise—ideally within one to two pages—ensures that it remains digestible and engaging.

Testing for ATS and human readability

Before submitting a resume, it’s crucial to test how well it performs for both ATS software and human reviewers. One simple way to check ATS-friendliness is to convert your resume into plain text (by copying and pasting it into a Notepad or similar tool). If the structure breaks, words disappear, or the formatting looks messy, an ATS might struggle to read it.

There are also free online ATS resume checkers that analyze resumes for keyword usage, formatting errors, and readability. While these tools aren’t perfect, they can provide insight into whether a resume meets basic ATS standards.

For human readability, consider reading the resume out loud or asking a friend to review it. If key information is hard to find or certain sections feel awkward, make adjustments. The best resumes optimize for ATS while ensuring a natural flow for real people.

Conclusion

Writing a resume that works for both ATS software and hiring managers requires a balanced approach. It’s not just about inserting the right keywords—it’s about crafting a compelling, well-structured document that tells the story of your experience and skills.

By choosing the right format, optimizing work experience, and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of passing ATS filters and standing out to recruiters. Before submitting your resume, take the time to test its readability for both audiences, ensuring that it’s clear, engaging, and aligned with the job description.

A great resume doesn’t just get past the ATS—it gets you interviews. Take the time to refine your resume, and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.

Sara Duerr

Sara has been in the career development field for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She covers topics such as resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, career planning, and more. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Medium. She has curated our free downloadable resume templates for Word and resume templates for Google Docs.