13 ATS-Friendly Resume Examples to Get You Hired in 2025
If you’ve been sending hundreds of job applications and getting radio silence in return, don't worry. It may be something as simple as the Applicant Tracking Systems.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) sometimes scan your resume before a human gets to see it. 75% of recruiters and over 98% of Fortune 500 companies now use ATS software, which means your perfect job application might get overlooked if your resume is not ATS-optimized.
But here's the thing – beating the ATS isn't some dark magic. It's actually pretty straightforward once you know how these systems work and what they’re looking for in resumes.
👉 In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating resumes that successfully pass the ATS scans.
💼 Plus, I'll share 13 ready-to-use ATS-friendly resume examples for every stage of your career – whether you're fresh out of college or gunning for the C-suite.
And if you’re feeling unsure about your resume, getting feedback from a professional career coach can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Book a free strategy session with me - I’d be happy to talk about how I can support you.
Now let’s dig in.
Feel free to use the jump links here to skip to each section:
What is an ATS & How Does It Work?
Think of an ATS as a resume-reading tool that helps companies handle the mountains of applications they receive.
These systems can be set up by a recruiter to sort, scan, and rank resumes so recruiters don't have to go through hundreds of applications manually.
👉 The ATS might seem like the boogeyman of the job search, so let’s clear up some common misconceptions about how ATS works.
There’s a lot of outdated or flat-out wrong advice floating around, and believing it could send you down the wrong path.
Here's what these systems actually do:
- Look for Keywords: The recruiter can use their ATS to scan for specific keywords related to the job. Missing those crucial keywords? Your resume might get filtered out automatically.
And even if your resume passes the ATS keyword check and lands in front of recruiters, they usually spend only 10-30 seconds scanning it and searching for the right keywords. To set yourself up for success, read this article on 3 fast ways to find the right keywords for your resume.
2. Evaluate Your Formatting: The system pulls information from your document and sorts it into categories. Fancy formatting can confuse it, causing parts of your resume to get lost in translation
3. Score Your Application: Some companies set up the ATS to give you a ranking based on how well your resume matches what they're looking for. Only the highest-scoring resumes typically make it to human eyes.
(Quick Tip: If you already have a resume and are curious how an ATS would rank it for the jobs you want, run it through this free resume keyword scanner to see what you’re working with.)
4. Apply Filters: Companies often set up specific requirements (like minimum education or years of experience) that automatically screen out applications. These are sometimes referred to as “knock out” questions.
The reality today is that a huge number of resumes get rejected by ATS before a person ever sees them. That's why understanding how to format your resume properly and optimize it for ATS is so important.
For a more thorough explanation of how an ATS works, here’s a short video by Certified Professional Resume Writer, Steve P. Brady:
And if you want to dig deeper into ATS and how to make it your friend in your job search, check out this guide on how to beat the ATS.
But for now, let’s focus on the specific steps you can follow to create an ATS-optimized resume and increase your chances of landing an interview and a job offer.
How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume
Making your resume ATS-friendly doesn't have to result in a boring, plain document. It's about finding that sweet spot between looking good and being ATS-readable.
Here's what matters most:
1. Use Relevant Keywords
Keywords are the secret to ATS success. The system is programmed to look for specific terms that match what the employer wants.
To find the right keywords:
- Read the job description like a detective and identify what keywords recruiters will be looking to see
- Look for skills or requirements that appear multiple times
- Include both the full term and acronym where it makes sense (like Project Management Professional and PMP)
- Implement keywords naturally throughout your resume
One thing I always tell my clients – you only need each keyword to appear once. There's zero benefit to stuffing your resume with the same terms over and over again. It looks unnatural and can actually hurt your chances once a human reviews your application.
If you need help with finding powerful resume keywords, check out this guide to resume keywords that I’ve created for your reference.
2. Use Standard Section Headings
ATS looks for common section headings to organize your information. While "My Professional Odyssey" might sound cool, it can confuse the heck out of an ATS.
Stick with straightforward section headings like:
- Work Experience (not "Career Journey" or "Professional Story")
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
- Professional Summary
This allows the system to correctly sort your information without missing anything important. If you’re not sure which sections you should have on your resume, I recommend watching our Accelerate Resume Course (it’s 100% free).
3. Choose Simple Formatting
When it comes to ATS-friendly resumes, simplicity wins. Avoid elements that can trip up automated systems, such as:
- Tables and columns
- Text boxes (there are exceptions to this)
- Headers and footers
- Graphics or icons (again, some exceptions apply)
- Fancy bullet points
Go for a clean, single-column layout with standard bullets and clear sections. This doesn't mean your resume has to look plain – you can still use strategic bolding, modest color, and clean lines to create visual appeal.
To learn more about how graphics affect ATS readability, check out this video with Virginia Franco discussing resume graphics and ATS compatibility.
4. Use ATS-Friendly Fonts
Your font choice is important for both the ATS and the recruiter. Stick to widely recognized fonts like:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Times New Roman
- Garamond
- Helvetica
These professional fonts make your resume reader-friendly for both ATS and human recruiters. Skip the decorative fonts that might look impressive but cause reading errors.
If you want to see other good font options for your resume, check out this guide to the best resume fonts on my blog.
5. Include Measurable Results
While the ATS might not have the emotions to appreciate your achievements, the humans who review ATS-approved resumes definitely will. That means, whenever possible, put numbers to your accomplishments.
Instead of saying you
"improved sales,"
try saying
"increased regional sales by 27% in 6 months, generating $432K in additional revenue."
These specific metrics not only make your resume more compelling to human readers but also naturally incorporate additional keywords relevant to the job.
For more tips on adding impactful numbers to your resume, watch this video with Gillian Kelly on quantifying your achievements.
13 ATS-Friendly Resume Examples for Every Career Stage
Now that you know the principles of creating an ATS-friendly resume, let's look at examples designed for different career stages. Each example below is ATS-compatible while still looking professional and polished.
ATS-Friendly Resume Examples for Early-Career Professionals
(0-5 years experience)
When you're just starting out, your resume should highlight your education, skills, and any relevant internships or projects. These examples work great for:
- Recent graduates
- Entry-level job seekers
- Career changers
- People with limited work experience
Early career resumes emphasize transferable skills, educational achievements, internships and volunteer work, as well as projects and certifications that show job-relevant abilities.
Resume Highlights:
- Clean layouts that put skills front and center
- Education sections in prime position
- Expanded skills sections to showcase what you can do
- Space for projects, volunteer work, and other experiences that show you're ready for the workplace
These examples give you a professional look while providing plenty of room to showcase your potential, even without years of work history.
P.S. Check out this video from Career Expert Rebecca Joy Tromsness discussing how to overcome skills gaps.
ATS-Friendly Resume Examples for Mid-Career Professionals
(5-15 years experience)
Mid-career professionals need resumes that showcase growth and measurable wins. Out of the three best resume formats (chronological, functional, and combinational), the combinational resume might be best fit for this career stage. These resume examples are perfect for:
- Professionals looking to move up
- Manager-level candidates
- Industry switchers leveraging transferable skills
- Specialists deepening their expertise
Mid-career resumes focus on career progression and growing responsibilities, measurable achievements and contributions, leadership experience, and specialized skills and expertise.
Resume Highlights:
- Achievement-focused layouts that highlight career growth
- A balanced presentation of skills and experience
- Professional summaries that establish your expertise
- Clean design elements that maintain readability while looking sharp
These templates help you demonstrate your proven track record while staying completely ATS-friendly.
ATS-Friendly Resume Examples for Experienced Professionals
(15+ years experience)
Seasoned professionals need resumes that highlight leadership, vision, and high-level accomplishments. These examples are ideal for:
- Executives and directors
- Senior managers
- Industry experts
- C-suite candidates
Experienced professional resumes emphasize strategic leadership, high-impact achievements, industry influence, and executive capabilities and business results.
Resume Highlights:
- Professional designs that convey authority
- Executive summaries with career highlights
- Focus on leadership and strategic contributions
- Clean layout that looks professional and is ATS-compatible
These templates help you present your extensive experience in a powerful, concise format that passes ATS scans while impressing executive hiring teams. The good news – there are some great resume builders that can help you craft your resume in minutes.
Common ATS Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a great resume, certain mistakes can tank your ATS success, and it’s up to you to avoid potential issues.
Here are the most common ones I see:
1. Using Graphics, Tables, and Complex Formatting
ATS struggles with images, graphics, charts, tables, and multiple columns.
While these elements might make your resume look fancy, they can make large chunks of your content invisible to automated systems.
What to do instead: Stick to clean, single-column layouts with standard section breaks. Use simple bullet points rather than custom icons or graphics.
2. Choosing Fancy Fonts
Creative fonts might look unique, but they often cause ATS scanning errors.
Plus, if your font isn't installed on the recruiter's computer, it may default to some symbols that mess up your carefully planned formatting.
What to do instead: Use universal fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save your creativity for your portfolio or personal website.
3. Saving in the Wrong Format
Some ATSs handle certain file formats better than others. While ATS software is improving, compatibility issues still exist.
What to do instead: Save your resume as a PDF file. DOCX is also acceptable, which generally works best across different ATS platforms. PDF is also acceptable for many systems, though slightly less reliable for older ATS software.
4. Not Tailoring Each Resume
Using the same generic resume for every job application drastically reduces your chances of ATS success. Each job description contains specific keywords and requirements that the ATS is programmed to find.
What to do instead: Customize your resume for each position (or even better, for each type of position), incorporating relevant keywords from that specific job description.
Remember, you only need each keyword to appear once naturally in your content.
5. Keyword Stuffing
While keywords are crucial, artificially cramming your resume with repetitive words and phrases can backfire.
Modern ATS are getting smarter and can detect keyword stuffing. Plus, if your resume does make it past the ATS, human recruiters will be turned off by robotic, unnatural language.
What to do instead: Incorporate keywords naturally within the context of your experience and skills. Focus on quality over quantity.
How to Test if Your Resume Is ATS-Friendly
After creating your resume, it's smart to test its ATS compatibility before sending it off to employers. Here are reliable ways to check:
1. Use an ATS Resume Scanner
The most direct way to check your resume's ATS compatibility is to use a professional scanner tool. These tools analyze your resume against specific job descriptions and tell you how well you match up.
I recommend using the JobScan ATS resume scanner to see how well your resume matches specific JDs and identify areas for improvement.
2. Get Professional Feedback
Career coaches and recruiting professionals have seen thousands of resumes and know exactly what works with ATS. Their experienced eyes can catch potential issues that automated tools might miss.
If you think you could benefit from a second set of professional eyes on your resume and other application materials, book a free strategy session with me - I’d be happy to talk about how I can support you.
Choosing the Right Resume Example
If you’ve gotten this far in the article, you can probably guess the bottom line of my advice – getting past the ATS is only the first step of landing any job.
By understanding how these systems work and using the strategies I've outlined here, you can drastically increase your chances of getting your resume in front of actual humans.
But if you actually want to land a job offer, there are many other job searching skills to hone, and you can start by reading my other guides on the GHYC Blog.
And when it comes to crafting a great resume, remember these key points:
- Use relevant keywords from the job description
- Keep formatting simple and clean
- Choose standard fonts and section headings
- Include measurable results
- Tailor your resume for each position
- Test your resume with ATS scanner tools
Take advantage of the 13 ATS-friendly examples I’ve shared with you here and find the one that matches your career stage. Then, customize it with your specific experience and skills in mind, and watch the interview invitations start landing in your inbox.
Read more resume, LinkedIn, and interview best practices on The GHYC Blog.
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Rara Watanabe is a writer with a background in marketing, sales coordination, and community engagement. With a BA in International Relations and a minor in Literature and Writing from UC San Diego, she has developed expertise in content creation, market research, and marketing in both corporate and non-profit spaces.