ATS Resume Templates: Complete Guide

Over 75% of resumes never reach human eyes—they're filtered by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before recruiters see them. Choosing an ATS-friendly template is critical to getting your resume past these automated gatekeepers and into the hands of hiring managers.

Browse ATS Templates

What is an ATS-Friendly Resume Template?

An ATS-friendly resume template is designed to be easily parsed and understood by applicant tracking software. These systems scan resumes for keywords, experience levels, and qualifications, then rank candidates based on how well they match job requirements.

ATS-friendly templates prioritize:

• Clean, simple layouts without complex tables or graphics
• Standard section headings that ATS systems recognize
• Widely-supported fonts that render consistently
• Plain text formatting rather than images or text boxes
• Proper file formats (PDF with selectable text or DOCX)

How ATS Systems Work

Understanding ATS behavior helps you optimize your resume:

1. Parsing Stage

The ATS extracts information from your resume, identifying sections like contact details, work history, education, and skills. Complex formatting confuses parsers, causing information loss.

2. Keyword Matching

The system compares your resume against job description keywords. Exact matches (e.g., "Python" vs. "Python programming") sometimes matter more than semantic equivalents.

3. Ranking & Filtering

Candidates are scored based on keyword frequency, experience years, education level, and other criteria. Only top-scoring resumes reach recruiters.

Choosing the Right ATS Template

For Tech & Engineering

Use templates with dedicated skills sections and project highlights. Emphasize technical proficiencies and quantifiable achievements.

For Creative Fields

Balance ATS compatibility with visual appeal. Choose templates with subtle design elements that pass parsing but showcase your aesthetic sensibility.

For Executive Roles

Select sophisticated, minimalist templates that convey professionalism. Prioritize accomplishments and leadership experience over detailed task lists.

For Career Changers

Use functional or hybrid templates that emphasize transferable skills over chronological work history.

Everything Resume ATS Templates

All Everything Resume templates are ATS-tested and optimized. We've verified compatibility with major systems including:

• Taleo (Oracle)
• Greenhouse
• Workday
• Lever
• iCIMS
• BambooHR

Each template includes:

• Clean semantic HTML structure
• Standard section naming conventions
• Font embedding for consistency
• Proper heading hierarchy
• No hidden text or formatting tricks

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using tables for layout: Tables confuse parsers, causing content to appear out of order
2. Graphics and images: ATS can't read text embedded in images
3. Unconventional section names: "Career Journey" instead of "Work Experience" may not be recognized
4. Headers and footers: Content in these areas is often ignored by parsers
5. Fancy fonts or symbols: Decorative fonts may not render correctly in ATS systems
6. Multiple columns: Two-column layouts can cause ATS to read content in wrong order

Testing Your ATS Resume

Before submitting, test your resume:

1. Copy-paste test: Copy text from your PDF—if formatting is garbled, ATS will struggle too
2. Online ATS simulators: Use free tools like Jobscan or Resume Worded to check parsability
3. Plain text conversion: Save as .txt file and review—this approximates what ATS sees

Beyond Templates: Content Optimization

An ATS-friendly template is just the foundation. Optimize content by:

• Matching keywords: Include exact phrases from job descriptions
• Quantifying achievements: Use numbers, percentages, and metrics
• Avoiding acronyms only: Spell out certifications and degrees at least once
• Using standard job titles: "Software Engineer" over "Code Wizard"
• Keeping it current: Focus on last 10-15 years of experience

Start with ATS-Optimized Templates

Don't let poor formatting be the reason your resume gets filtered out. Everything Resume provides professionally designed, ATS-tested templates that give you the best chance of reaching human reviewers.

Explore ATS Templates