How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume in 8 Steps

Last updated: 21 September 2026 · By the Asuraa Team

How do you make an ATS-friendly resume?

Follow the eight steps below in order. They move from content to format to testing, so you fix the substance before you polish the layout.

If you want the definition first, read what an ATS-friendly resume is. This guide is the build process.

Step 1: Start with a master resume

Write one long resume that holds every role, project, tool, and result you can truthfully claim. It can run over one page, because you will trim it later.

The University of Texas at Austin's career service recommends copying your master resume and adjusting the copy for each job description. That keeps the master clean and each application focused.

Step 2: Choose a single-column, chronological layout

Put everything in one column, with the newest experience first. The University of Texas at Austin's career service says chronological format is processed more effectively by both ATS software and recruiters than functional formats.

Skip tables, text boxes, and graphics. Jobscan's checklist warns they can scramble information or make it invisible to parsers.

Step 3: Use standard section headings

Name your sections Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Projects, Education, and Certifications. Standard names help the parser sort your content into the right fields.

Creative headings such as "My Story" or "Toolbox" may be skipped or misread. If your role is technical, a Skills section near the top also helps a recruiter search for tools quickly.

Step 4: Pull keywords from the job description

Read the posting and note the skills, tools, and job titles that repeat. UT Austin's career service suggests reviewing the description for repeated keywords and using the matching language in your resume.

Use a keyword only if it describes something you have done. A short table helps you plan.

Step 5: Write bullets that show what you did

A bullet should state the action, the tool, and the outcome. Vague duties give a recruiter nothing to search or trust.

Here is an illustrative rewrite. The numbers are placeholders for your own facts.

• Before: Worked on sales data analysis.
• After: Analysed [number] months of sales data in SQL and Excel, built a dashboard in Tableau, and helped the team spot [what you found].

Step 6: Format the small details

Set body text at 10 to 12 points in a common font such as Arial, Calibri, or Georgia, according to Jobscan. Use plain bullets and one-inch margins, or half an inch at the minimum.

Keep your name, email, and phone number in the body of the page. Jobscan says parsers cannot reliably extract data from headers and footers.

Step 7: Save the right file type

Use a DOCX or a text-based PDF unless the application says otherwise. A scanned image of a page is not readable text.

Name the file clearly, such as YourName_Role.pdf, so a recruiter can find it later. Follow any instruction on the application form over any general rule.

Step 8: Test the file before you apply

Copy everything from your resume and paste it into a plain text editor. Check that the order is right, the sections are intact, and nothing is missing.

Then compare your resume with the job description, or run it through a tool such as the AI resume reviewer on asuraa.in, which takes your resume, a target job title, and a job description and flags keyword gaps.

What do most guides on ATS resumes get wrong?

Most guides give a list of rules and a template. These gaps cost applicants the most.

• They skip the master resume. Tailoring from scratch each time is slow, so people stop doing it.
• They confuse format with quality. A correct format does not rescue a resume with vague bullets.
• They encourage hidden text. White-on-white keywords can be seen when the file is opened as text, and they hurt trust.
• They never say to test. A two-minute plain-text check catches many obvious parsing problems.

For your first resume, see how to write a resume for freshers in India.

FAQ

How long should an ATS-friendly resume be?

Freshers and people with a few years of experience usually fit on one page, and longer careers may need two. Length matters less to the software than to the reader, so include only what supports the job you are applying for.

Can I use a resume template and still pass ATS?

Yes, if the template uses a single column, standard headings, and no tables, text boxes, or graphics. Many templates are designed for looks. Open the file, paste it into a plain text editor, and check that the content stays in order.

How many keywords should I add to my resume?

There is no fixed number. Include the skills, tools, and titles from the job description that describe your real experience, and use them naturally in your skills section and bullets. Repeating a word many times makes the resume harder to read.

Should I write a different resume for each job?

Yes, where the roles differ. Keep a master resume and adjust a copy for each posting, as UT Austin's career service advises. Change the summary, the order of skills, and the bullets that best match the job, and never add experience you do not have.

Do I need an objective or a summary?

A two- or three-line summary that names your target role and two or three relevant skills can help a recruiter understand your resume quickly. It is optional. If you include one, write it for a specific job and keep it factual.

What is the easiest way to check my ATS resume?

Paste it into a plain text editor to see if the order survives, then compare it against the job description for missing skills. A resume review tool can automate the comparison and point out keyword gaps for a role.

Final thoughts

Build a master resume, tailor a copy for each job, keep the format plain, and test the file. The goal is a resume that software can read and a person can trust.

Ready to check yours? Upload it to the AI resume reviewer on asuraa.in with a target job description, and see your earlier reviews on your resume history page.