How to Beat the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

By RuleForge · Updated June 2026 · 5 min read

75% of resumes are rejected before a human ever sees them. ATS software scans for keywords, format, and structure. Here is how to pass.

What ATS Looks For

1. Keyword match: The exact words from the job description. If they say "project management," do not write "project coordination."
2. Standard formatting: The system reads top-to-bottom, left-to-right. Tables, columns, and text boxes confuse it.
3. Standard headers: Use "Experience," "Education," "Skills." Not "My Journey" or "What I Do."
4. Parsable dates: Use "Jan 2023 - Present" not "early 2023 to now."

Format Rules

• Use a single-column layout
• Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia)
• No images, icons, or graphics
• No headers/footers (ATS sometimes ignores them)
• Standard bullet points (not custom symbols)
• Submit as PDF unless Word is requested

The Keyword Strategy

Print the job description. Highlight every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned. Make sure those exact words appear in your resume — naturally, in context, not stuffed.

Test Your Resume

• Copy your resume into a plain text editor. If the formatting breaks or text is out of order, the ATS will struggle too.
• Use Jobscan.co or ResyMatch.io to score your resume against a specific job description.