20 ATS Resume Examples

Let’s clear up a few myths about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Many people assume ATS are the ultimate gatekeepers, but the reality is more nuanced. Some systems struggle to parse resumes and are used mainly for database management. Even so, the recruiter remains the most important part of the hiring process, not the software.

This ATS resume examples guide is meant to explain how much these systems actually matter for your resume while being honest about the industry’s common pitfalls.

Here’s what this guide covers:

• Clear explanations of how ATS works
• Honest insight into when ATS matters and when it doesn’t
• Practical tips to optimize your resume for human readers
• Debunking common myths and scare tactics around so-called ATS optimization
• Strategies to future-proof your resume against evolving technology

Before diving in, you may also want to explore these in-depth resume guides:

• Why Can’t I Find a Job? The Real Reasons Why You’re Struggling to Find One
• Resume Statistics From Over 12 000 US-Based Job-Seekers
• How to Write a Resume for a Job
• What to Put on a Resume
• How to Write a Modern Resume
• How to Effectively Use Facebook and Social Media for Job Hunting
• Different Ways of Submitting a Resume
• Job Interview Tips
• Choose Your Employer
• How to Create an Impressive LinkedIn Profile

What is an applicant tracking system

An ATS is software that companies use to manage job applications. It helps organize and store resumes, making it easier for recruiters to identify suitable candidates.

Because ATS are said to decrease the average hiring cycle by 60%, many companies use automated systems for recruitment, including over 90% of Fortune 500 organizations. In general, any organization handling a large volume of applications, especially in tech, healthcare, finance, and NGO sectors, can benefit from an ATS. It can speed up hiring and automate scheduling and collaboration, which is particularly useful in hybrid environments.

What does an ATS really do

Applicant tracking software helps companies manage job applications efficiently, so recruiters can focus more on finding the right candidates.

Here’s what an ATS does, although specific features vary by system:

• Stores and organizes resumes: An ATS keeps job applications in one place, making it easier for recruiters to find and review candidates. It can also create and approve job opening requests and let HR staff reuse job descriptions for multiple positions, which saves time.
• Filters applications: ATS software may use keywords and knockout questions to filter out unqualified applicants. When candidates apply online, they may need to answer position-related questions. The ATS can automatically reject candidates based on certain responses, such as not having the right to work, which accounts for about 16% of applications. Depending on the software, it can also parse resumes, rank new applications, and help recruiters review and select candidates.
• Automates scheduling: An ATS helps coordinate interview times and manage recruiters' calendars. Once a candidate is selected, the system can send job offers and manage onboarding, allowing new hires to complete the necessary paperwork and learn about the organization.
• Enhances team collaboration: Automated database management allows recruiters and hiring managers to share notes and feedback on candidates.
• Provides candidate information: Applicant tracking systems help HR staff quickly access applicant contact details and resume data.
• Parses resumes: An ATS scans and converts resume content into a text-only format for easier reading and processing. Unfortunately, this is also where it can fail some candidates. The scanning technology, called optical character recognition (OCR), can struggle with non-standard resume formats and cause parsing errors, which is why it is better to use standard templates.
• Manages compliance: An ATS keeps records to help ensure the hiring process complies with legal requirements.
• Supports sourcing: An ATS helps recruiters search for and find candidates using Boolean search techniques, similar to keyword searches on Google. This is why we recommend tailoring your resume to match the keywords in the job description. Doing so can significantly increase your chances of impressing the person reviewing your application.

The most common types of ATS in the United States

ATS is designed to streamline hiring processes, not to judge your resume. Understanding the basic types and how they work can help you approach your application more effectively.

Let us put it this way:

Three Main Types of Applicant Tracking Systems

Here are the three main types of applicant tracking systems and what they do for hiring managers:

• Basic ATS: These systems focus on core application tracking and management functions. Common features include resume parsing, job posting management, a candidate database, and basic reporting. Breezy HR and Workable are popular options for small businesses and NGOs in the technology, education, and marketing industries.
• Mid-level ATS: These systems offer more advanced features for medium to large enterprises, going beyond application tracking alone. They typically include advanced reporting and analytics, integration with other HR tools, candidate communication tools, and collaborative hiring features. For example, Greenhouse and Lever are popular in the tech and consulting fields because of their integration capabilities and focus on data-driven recruitment.
• Enterprise ATS: These systems are built for large organizations with complex hiring needs. They provide end-to-end hiring functionality, including advanced analytics, extensive integrations, custom workflows, compliance management, onboarding tools, and talent management features. Examples include Taleo and SAP SuccessFactors, which are used across industries ranging from automotive to the public sector.

As you can see, an ATS primarily screens your resume to extract contact information for hiring purposes. It is more important to optimize your resume for the human recruiter who will read it than to focus too much on the software processing it.

We’ve tested our resumes with leading ATS software, and they pass the test. See if yours can do the same.

Busting ATS myths

Many so-called professional resume writers spread misinformation about ATS without understanding how it works. If your application gets declined, it is almost certainly because a recruiter had already filled the position by the time they reached your resume or simply chose someone else. Ignore the scare tactics of TikTokers, YouTubers, and other content creators selling resume writing services.

ATS Myth #1: Systems decline applications based on keywords

Many people believe ATS systems automatically reject applications that do not contain specific keywords. In reality, most ATS systems as of now don't have such features. Tailoring your resume is still important because it helps highlight core skills for recruiters and can future-proof your application against evolving AI, but declined applications are usually the result of a role being filled or other candidates being selected.

ATS Myth #2: ATS bots automatically reject or rate your resume

Contrary to popular belief, there are no bots in ATS that automatically reject or rate your resume. ATS systems do parse resumes by reading and breaking text into sections, but that is a technical process. Some systems parse well, others are buggy, and some only attach your original resume file. Whether the recruiter reviews the parsed content or the attached file depends on the recruiter's integrity and company policy.

ATS Myth #3: All resumes must pass automated filters

The idea that resumes must pass automated filters is misleading. Parsing simply means the ATS converts your resume into a format that can be easily read by the system. Formatting issues can affect parsing, but that does not mean your resume is automatically rejected. Recruiters can still see the original resume file, and it is their responsibility to check both the parsed content and the attachment.

ATS Myth #4: Specific resume formats confuse ATS parsers

Another myth is that certain fonts and colors confuse ATS parsers. This misconception likely comes from some resume writing services that lack their own proprietary resume builder. While creative sections might not get parsed well, they are included for the recruiter's benefit. Still, not all ATS systems are the same, and some formatting issues can occur.

ATS Myth #5: ATS completely automates the hiring process

Despite what some people think, ATS doesn't fully automate the hiring process. It helps organize and filter resumes, but final decisions are still very much made by human recruiters.

Why does ATS optimization matter

ATS optimization matters because you want to make sure your resume actually reaches a human recruiter. Even if you do not know the exact ATS a company uses, tailoring your resume to be ATS-friendly is crucial. That means creating a clear, well-formatted resume that can move through the system without sacrificing the content that shows your qualifications.

What is an ATS checker

An ATS checker is an AI-powered tool that analyzes your resume to see how well it matches a job description. Using an ATS scanner can help you understand how your resume may be viewed by both applicant tracking systems and human recruiters, so you can optimize it and improve your chances of getting noticed.

Echocv’s resume checker grades your resume on 16 crucial points across 5 categories, including content, file type, and keywords in the most important sections of your resume.

• AI engine: You get content suggestions for essential resume sections.
• ATS compatibility: Your resume format is scanned for readability.
• Free of charge: That’s right—like the best things in life.

How to format an ATS-compliant resume

An ATS-compliant resume is easy for an applicant tracking system to scan and interpret. That means your resume should be formatted clearly. The system typically scans your resume the way a person reads, from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, so it expects the document to follow a clear structure.

Your name and contact information should appear at the top, your skills should be placed at either the top or bottom, and your employment history should be in the middle with your employer, job title, dates of employment, and a description of your role. If you use a less traditional resume format, the ATS may not be able to parse the information correctly.

ATS-friendly resume template

Here’s an example of a resume template that applicant tracking systems can parse without a problem.

Choose the reverse chronological order

The reverse chronological resume is the most common format and a recruiter favorite for two main reasons. First, it reflects your natural career progression, with resume sections arranged in a familiar, predictable order. More importantly, it helps hiring managers quickly spot your most recent role and evaluate how that experience matches the responsibilities of the job you’re applying for.

Below are the elements recruiters expect to see on a traditional resume.

Create an easy-to-read resume layout

Use professional fonts like Arial, Rubik, Lato, or Volkhov in 10–12 pt. ATS may still parse Comic Sans, but recruiters are unlikely to appreciate it.

To improve readability, set the margin size between 0.5 and 1 inch and leave enough space between sections. Use conventional section labels, too. For example, call a section Skills, not What I’m Good At, since ATS systems are not familiar with creative language.

Single- and double-column templates, colors, and photos typically do not affect ATS scanning. However, US resume standards generally advise against including a photo.

Be mindful of special characters

The devil is in the details. Some applicant tracking systems may not parse small formatting choices correctly, such as date formats, commas versus spaces between skills, or bullet points. Commas are usually the better choice between skills.

For example, recruiter and career strategist Kristen Fife notes that one type of ATS converts resume text to HTML for easier reading, which can disrupt graphs, charts, and icons.

Go for the right file type

It’s best to save your resume as a PDF, since it preserves formatting across devices and most ATS systems can read it. However, some systems may not, so before sending your resume, double-check the job posting for a preferred file format.

While it’s important to make your resume easy for ATS to scan, it’s even more important to make it readable for recruiters and employers. They will not dismiss your application just because the software couldn’t process it. In fact, the recruiters we’ve spoken with say they skim every resume they receive. To improve your chances of getting an interview, focus on impressing the hiring manager.

Here’s how.

Optimizing resume sections for ATS

The most important part of your resume is the content. If your language doesn’t match the job description, your resume may not parse correctly, or it may parse but still be ignored by the recruiter.

That’s why keyword relevance matters so much, along with tailoring your resume to each job you apply for. Ideally, your resume should work well for both ATS and human readers.

Here’s what to keep in mind when adding keywords to your resume:

• Analyze the job description: Identify important keywords in the posting, especially skills, qualifications, job titles, and specific software or tools.
• Use the job title and relevant keywords in the header: Include the exact job title you are applying for in your resume header. For example, use “Experienced Marketing Manager” if the job title is “Marketing Manager.”
• Add keywords to the summary: Write a brief professional summary at the top of your resume that includes key terms or required soft skills from the job description. For example, “Results-driven Marketing Manager with expertise in digital marketing, SEO, and content strategy.” This helps reassure the recruiter that you are qualified for the role.
• List keywords in the skills section: Create a skills section that highlights hard skills relevant to the position. With our resume builder, you don’t have to worry about formatting your skills section because it’s done automatically.
• Integrate keywords into the work experience section: Describe your responsibilities and achievements using action verbs and strong adjectives from the job description. Support those words with measurable results by adding tangible outcomes. For example, “Managed a team of 10 to execute digital marketing campaigns, increasing organic traffic by 50%.”
• Mention keywords in education and certifications: Include relevant coursework, projects, or certifications that match the keywords. You can do this under your education details, such as “Completed coursework in Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Advanced Excel,” or in a separate certifications section, such as “Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).”
• Use synonyms and variations: To improve your chances of being picked up by ATS, use different forms of keywords, such as “analyzed” and “analysis.” It also helps to include both acronyms and full phrases, such as “SEO” and “Search Engine Optimization,” because some ATS systems may not recognize the abbreviated form.
• Review for natural flow: Make sure your keywords do not hurt readability. Overstuffing your resume with keywords can make it sound robotic and less appealing to human readers. A good way to avoid this is to ask someone to review your resume and confirm that it reads clearly and naturally.

By following these steps, you can incorporate keywords effectively, making your resume more likely to pass ATS screenings and get noticed by recruiters.

Next, we’ll see these tips in action by tailoring a resume to a real-world job description.

Resume customization for ATS

To explore how to create a targeted resume that is strictly tailored to the job you’re applying for, let’s first look at a Senior Software Engineer job posting.

This job ad includes many details the candidate can incorporate into their resume. First, let’s look at how a targeted work history section could be written based on the information above.

ATS-compliant resume experience section

This experience section entry works well for both ATS software and recruiters for several reasons:

• Structured format: Distinct sections for job title, workplace, location, date range, and bullet points help ATS systems parse the information correctly and consistently.
• Concise and clear: Clear, straightforward language communicates the candidate’s qualifications and achievements in a way that is easy for both ATS tools and human recruiters to read.
• Relevant keywords: The job description and bullet points include relevant terms such as “JavaScript,” “HTML,” “CSS,” “React,” “AWS,” “performance tools,” “Lighthouse,” and “mentoring,” which align with job posting requirements.
• Action verbs: Each bullet point begins with strong verbs such as “Designed,” “Developed,” “Managed,” and “Anticipated,” making accomplishments clear and impactful.
• Quantifiable achievements: Specific metrics, such as “25% increase in user engagement” and “40% reduction in server response time,” provide concrete evidence of success.

Next, we focus on another important part of an ATS resume: the skills section.

ATS-optimized resume skills

As mentioned earlier, listing practical skills on a resume is relatively easy. Our resume builder ensures the formatting stays intact.

Below are the technical skills a software engineer should include on a resume. However, if these skills already appear in another section, there is no need to repeat them.

This skills section uses specific keywords and phrases from the job description, which increases alignment with the posting. It also reflects a broad skill set, showing the candidate’s overall qualifications and making the resume more likely to appeal to a recruiter.

Education and certifications for ATS compatibility

When writing your education and certifications section, focus on relevance and include only accomplishments and credentials that relate to the job.

Here is an example of how an education and training background could be presented for the specific role discussed.

How to write an ATS-friendly resume summary

Last but not least, let’s look at how to build a resume summary that not only passes ATS screenings but also makes recruiters want to learn more about you.

Although this section appears at the top of your resume, it’s best to write it last, after you’ve completed the other sections. That way, you’ll already have the key information and only need to summarize it.

To make your summary ATS-friendly, describe your qualifications and expertise using the same language as the job post. For the software developer role described above, a strong summary would look like this:

What makes this a strong summary for the role?

• Comprehensive skills: It concisely highlights relevant skills, experience, and capabilities in 3–5 sentences, making the candidate’s qualifications clear.
• Relevant keywords: It includes important terms from the job description, such as the job title, technical tools, and required certifications.
• Quantified achievement: It features a specific, measurable result, such as “increasing user engagement by 25%,” which shows proven effectiveness.
• Professional tone: Strong action verbs and descriptive language create a compelling, professional narrative without using the first-person perspective, which some human readers may view as arrogant.

Use these tips to create a clear, ATS-friendly resume, but keep the main goal in mind: show the hiring team that you have carefully studied the job description and can contribute effectively to the organization.