How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly in 2025: A Recruiter’s Guide
If you’re a candidate deep in your job search, you may be wondering if your resume’s ability to be read by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is holding you back from valuable job opportunities. Many Canadians are struggling to find jobs, and the market is becoming more competitive than ever. In this recruiter’s guide, we’ll show you what industries tend to favour ATS-friendly resumes, common mistakes candidates make, and how to easily write an ATS-friendly resume in 2025.
What is an ATS-Friendly Resume
An “ATS-friendly” resume is a resume that is designed specifically to be read by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Many employers have begun to have their applicant processing completely automated by ATS, especially when they receive a large number of applications. Typically, the employer will give the ATS a set of keywords (ex. the same keywords found in the job description/responsibilities) which the ATS will scan for.
Not only will candidates lacking those keywords be automatically disqualified, but if the ATS has any trouble reading the resume, you could be disqualified regardless of the keywords you use.
Should My Resume be ATS-Friendly? An Industry-by-Industry Breakdown
Some sectors rely heavily on the automation of ATS, but others prioritize manual processing. Here’s a breakdown of some major industries and whether they are known to use ATS. Overall, larger companies are more likely to use ATS than small businesses.
Your resume needs to be ATS-friendly if you work in
Finance & Accounting
Administration
Entry-Level Fast Food & Retail
Technology and IT
Healthcare and Life Sciences
Skilled Trades and Manufacturing
Nonprofits, Education, and Public Sector
Your resume might not need to be ATS-friendly if you work in
Creative Industries (Media, Art, Design, Animation, Writing, Film.etc): In these creative industries, employers will expect you to express yourself creatively through your resume, and creativity is limited with ATS processing.
Hospitality and Food Services: These industries usually rely on walk-ins and referrals for finding candidates, preferring face to face interaction over automated application processing.
Entertainment and Performing Arts: Another creative industry that doesn’t use the typical application process, instead relying on auditions, demo reels, and industry connections to find talent.
How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume in 2025
Step 1: Use a Standard Format
Choose a Simple Layout: Stick to a traditional format without elaborate designs or graphics. Use clear headings (e.g., "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills").
Avoid Columns and Tables: ATS can struggle to read text in columns or tables. Use a single-column layout instead, even if it means your resume has to be more than one page.
Use Standard Fonts: Opt for common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in a readable size (10-12 points).
Step 2: Tailor Your Resume
Match Keywords: Review the job description and include relevant keywords in your resume. This can include skills, job titles, and industry jargon.
Use Exact Phrasing: If the job ad mentions specific qualifications or experiences, ensure you use those exact terms if relevant to your background.
No Uncommon Symbols: Avoid using special characters or formatting (like fancy bullets). Stick to simple bullet points (•) or dashes (-).
While it’s time-consuming, customizing your resume for each job application will increase your chances of passing the ATS screening.
Step 3: Structure Your Content
Heading: Include your name and contact information at the top (phone number, email, LinkedIn profile).
Professional Summary or Objective: Write a brief statement (2-3 sentences) highlighting your experience and what you bring to the role.
Work Experience: List jobs in reverse chronological order and include job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Add bullet points for responsibilities and achievements using action verbs.
Education: Mention your highest degree first, including your degree, major, school name, and graduation date.
Skills: Create a section for skills relevant to the job, both technical and soft skills.
Stick to commonly recognized headings like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," and "Certifications" to ensure the ATS can easily identify sections.
Step 4: Optimize File Format
Save as a .docx: Most ATS can read this format. If you’re unsure what file type to use, .doc is generally the safest option.
File Name: Use a clear file name that includes your name (e.g., “John_Doe_Resume.doc”).
Step 5: Review and Test Your Resume
Check for Errors: Proofread for spelling or grammatical errors, as these can affect ATS performance.
Use an ATS-Friendly Tool: Consider using an online ATS checker to see how your resume performs. These tools can provide insights on keyword optimization and formatting.
Common ATS-Friendly Resume Mistakes
Using Complex Formatting: Resumes with weird fonts, columns, graphics, icons, and other unique formatting choices make your resume hard-to-read for the ATS.
Submitting PDF Resumes: ATS has trouble reading resumes submitted in PDF format. Unless the opening specifies PDF, ATS has an easier time reading .docx file formats.
Not Using Keywords From Job Description: The ATS looks for specific keywords that are usually found in the job description. Not tailoring your resume to the job description and replicating specific keywords could get your resume rejected early in the hiring process.
Not Using Standard Job Titles: Even if your organization uses a unique job title to describe your role, ATS needs to recognize the job title. It’s better to use a more standard alternative or the same job title as what you’re applying to.
Example: “Customer Service Representative” instead of “Customer Happiness Hero”.
Using Acronyms: ATS won’t always be able to understand acronyms, so opt for the full version of the word on your resume.
