The Free ATS Resume Checklist
Most resumes are scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a human ever sees them. Work through this free checklist to make sure yours parses cleanly and gets through — then build an ATS-ready version in minutes with ResumeInk.
Formatting & layout
- Use a single-column flow, or a sidebar that's still a clean column of real text.
- No text inside images, logos, headers, or footers — ATS often can't read those.
- Avoid text boxes and multi-column tables that scramble the reading order.
- Standard, readable fonts; black text on a white/near-white background.
- Consistent spacing and clear visual hierarchy.
Sections & structure
- Use standard headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Projects.
- List experience in reverse-chronological order.
- Each role: clear job title, company, and dates (e.g. Jan 2022 – Present).
- Use concise bullet points, not dense paragraphs.
Keywords & content
- Mirror the exact keywords and job title from the job description (naturally).
- Spell out acronyms once, e.g. "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)".
- Quantify achievements with numbers (%, $, scale, time saved).
- Proofread — typos can break keyword matches and credibility.
File & final checks
- Export a text-based PDF (not a scan or screenshot image).
- Confirm the text is selectable when you open the PDF.
- Name the file sensibly, e.g. Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf.
- Keep it to one page early in your career; tailor it for each application.
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Upload your resumeFrequently asked questions
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system is software companies use to collect, scan, and rank resumes before a recruiter reviews them. Most mid-to-large employers use one.
Do ResumeInk templates pass this checklist?
Yes — every ResumeInk design uses real text and a clean, parseable structure, so it meets the formatting and structure points above out of the box.
Is a PDF ATS-friendly?
A clean, text-based PDF (like the one ResumeInk exports) is read correctly by modern ATS. Avoid scanned or image-only PDFs.