What Is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that employers use to collect, sort, and rank job applications before a human ever sees them. According to Jobscan, over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software, and many mid-sized companies have adopted it too.
The harsh reality: if your resume isn't ATS-optimized, it may never reach a recruiter's desk — regardless of how qualified you are.
How ATS Systems Actually Work
ATS software scans your resume for:
- Keywords matching the job description
- Standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Parseable formatting (no tables, columns, or graphics)
- Relevant dates and job titles
- Contact information in expected locations
The system assigns a match score. Resumes below a threshold (often 70–80%) are automatically rejected.
The 7 Most Common ATS Mistakes
1. Using Tables and Columns
Multi-column layouts look great to humans but confuse ATS parsers. The system reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom — a two-column layout may merge unrelated text.
Fix: Use a single-column format for ATS submissions.
2. Ignoring Job Description Keywords
ATS systems are keyword-matching engines. If the job description says "project management" and your resume says "project coordination," you may score 0 for that requirement.
Fix: Mirror the exact language from the job posting. Use both the spelled-out term and acronym (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)").
3. Using Headers ATS Doesn't Recognize
Headers like "Where I've Been" or "My Journey" confuse ATS. Stick to standard headers.
Fix: Use conventional headers: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
4. Submitting PDFs When Word Is Requested
Some older ATS systems struggle to parse PDFs. Always follow the employer's instructions.
Fix: When in doubt, submit both formats or use a clean, ATS-friendly PDF.
5. Burying Keywords in Images or Graphics
ATS cannot read text inside images, logos, or infographics.
Fix: All text must be actual text, not embedded in images.
6. Using Non-Standard Fonts
Decorative fonts may render as garbled characters in ATS.
Fix: Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Georgia.
7. Missing Quantified Achievements
ATS increasingly uses AI to score impact. Vague statements score lower than quantified ones.
Fix: Replace "Managed a team" with "Led a team of 8 engineers, delivering 3 products on time and 15% under budget."
The Keyword Strategy That Works
Step 1: Extract Keywords from the Job Description
Copy the job description and identify:
- Hard skills (specific tools, technologies, certifications)
- Soft skills (leadership, communication, collaboration)
- Industry terms (specific to the field)
- Action verbs (managed, developed, optimized)
Step 2: Check Your Match Rate
Compare your resume against the job description. Aim for 70%+ keyword match for the most critical terms.
Step 3: Integrate Naturally
Don't keyword-stuff. Integrate keywords into meaningful sentences that demonstrate real experience.
ATS Score Benchmarks
| Score | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 85–100% | Excellent | Likely to pass ATS |
| 70–84% | Good | Minor improvements needed |
| 50–69% | Fair | Significant optimization required |
| Below 50% | Poor | Major rewrite recommended |
Quick ATS Checklist
- Single-column layout
- Standard section headers
- Keywords from job description included
- No tables, text boxes, or graphics
- Contact info at the top
- Consistent date formatting (MM/YYYY)
- Saved as .docx or ATS-friendly PDF
- File name is professional (FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf)
How ResumeAI Can Help
Manually checking all these factors for every application is time-consuming. ResumeAI analyzes your resume against any job description in under 60 seconds, giving you:
- An ATS compatibility score
- Keyword gap analysis showing exactly what's missing
- Optimized resume text with keywords naturally integrated
- A tailored cover letter that reinforces your application
Start your first optimization for just $3 — less than a cup of coffee, and potentially worth thousands in salary.