ATS Guide · 2026
How to pass ATS in 2026
To pass an ATS in 2026, use a single-column layout with standard section headings, match the keywords in the job posting, avoid graphics, tables, and text-in-images that parsers can't read, and export as a clean PDF or DOCX. The fastest way to catch problems is to run your resume through an ATS check and fix anything it flags before you apply.
What an ATS actually does
An applicant tracking system parses your resume into structured fields — contact info, work history, skills, education — so a recruiter can search and filter candidates. If the parser can't read a section, that information effectively doesn't exist to the recruiter, even if it looks fine to a human. "Passing ATS" really means being parsed correctly and matching the role, not beating a secret gatekeeper.
The formatting that breaks parsers
- Multi-column layouts — text gets read out of order or merged.
- Tables and text boxes — many parsers skip or scramble them.
- Graphics, icons, and text inside images — unreadable; skills shown only as a bar chart are invisible.
- Headers/footers for key info — contact details placed there can be dropped.
- Non-standard section titles — use "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," not creative labels.
- Unusual fonts or heavy styling — stick to standard, readable fonts.
What to do instead
- Single-column layout, standard headings, standard fonts.
- Mirror the job posting's language. If the posting says "project management," use that exact phrase where it's true — don't rely on a synonym.
- Put skills in plain text, not graphics.
- Keep contact info in the body, not the header.
- Export cleanly as PDF or DOCX (avoid exotic formats).
- Check the score before applying. Run the resume through an ATS check, read what it flags, and fix it — then re-check.
Check your resume's ATS readability free
You can run your resume through Refynes' free ATS check — it scores how readable your resume is to applicant tracking systems and shows what to fix so it reaches a recruiter. It's part of the free tier, no account required to try it.
FAQ
What does "ATS-friendly" mean?
It means an applicant tracking system can correctly parse your resume into its fields, so your experience is searchable and visible to recruiters.
Is a PDF or Word document better for ATS?
Modern ATS handle both well if the file is cleanly formatted. A simple single-column PDF or DOCX is safest; avoid image-based or heavily designed exports.
Do I need to match keywords exactly?
Use the posting's real terminology where it genuinely applies to you. Exact-phrase matches help, but avoid keyword-stuffing because recruiters read it too.
How do I know if my resume will pass ATS?
Run it through an ATS check that scores readability and flags issues, then fix what it finds before applying.