Blog Post • 8 min read

How to Build ATS-Friendly Resumes: Dynamic Formatting and Content Best Practices

Published on April 20, 2025 by PDFscaler Editorial Staff

Over 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter job applications before they ever reach a recruiter. If your resume is poorly formatted, contains non-standard tables, or lacks core industry keywords, it may be automatically rejected.

1. Structural Simplicity and Standard Layouts ATS parsers read resumes chronologically from top-to-bottom and left-to-right. They struggle with multi-column sidebars, nested tables, graphical charts, or floating text boxes, often reading columns out of order. Our Resume Builder uses clean, single-column or standard double-column typographic grids to ensure parsers read your career history perfectly.

2. Typographic Hierarchy and Core Sections Use standard, universally recognizable section headers (e.g. "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills") instead of creative variations (e.g. "Career Odyssey"). Keep fonts standard (Inter, Arial, Helvetica) and use clean formatting rules. This ensures ATS parsers map your details to candidate profiles accurately.

3. Strategic Keyword Integration ATS software evaluates resumes based on matching keywords from the job description. Our built-in Resume Builder lets you write details, choose professional design styles, and use key terms to optimize descriptions. This aligns your experience with the target job, giving you the best chance to secure interviews.