Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the gatekeepers to your dream job. These automated systems scan and filter resumes before they ever reach human eyes. Make these common mistakes, and your resume ends up in the digital trash—no matter how qualified you are.

That beautiful two-column layout with headers and footers? Most ATS software can't read it properly. When the system struggles to parse your information, it often rejects the resume entirely.

The Fix: Use a clean, single-column format with standard section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills."

ATS systems are programmed to look for specific keywords from the job description. If your resume doesn't include enough relevant terms, it won't make the cut.

The Fix: Carefully analyze the job description and mirror the language. Include both the full term and abbreviations (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization" and "SEO").

While logos, charts, and infographics might look impressive to humans, ATS systems see them as unreadable content. This includes placing contact information in a header graphic.

The Fix: Keep your resume text-based. Save the creative designs for portfolios or personal websites.

Not all file types are created equal in the eyes of an ATS. While PDFs preserve formatting, some older systems struggle to read them accurately.

The Fix: When in doubt, use .docx format. It has the best compatibility across all ATS platforms.

Some applicants try to "game" the system by adding invisible keywords. Modern ATS systems detect this tactic and automatically reject resumes that use it.

The Fix: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume content. Quality content always beats manipulation.

Our AI-powered resume evaluator analyzes your document for ATS compatibility and gives you a detailed score within seconds.

Test My Resume Now →