ATS Resume Formatting: Do's and Don'ts 2026

What is ATS Formatting?

ATS formatting is the practice of structuring your resume in a way that applicant tracking systems can easily read and parse. Applicant tracking systems are software programs used by recruiters and hiring managers to automatically scan resumes, extract information, and rank candidates based on predetermined criteria. When a resume is properly formatted for ATS, the system can accurately identify your contact information, work experience, skills, education, and other relevant details. This increases the likelihood that your resume will be ranked higher and passed along to human reviewers.

How ATS Systems Work

ATS systems scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases that match the job posting requirements. They use parsing technology to extract text and structure information into an organized database. The system then compares your resume against predefined criteria such as required experience, specific skills, education level, and certifications. Poorly formatted resumes can confuse the parsing algorithm, causing the system to misread information or miss important details. This is why ATS formatting is crucial—it ensures the system correctly understands your qualifications and ranks you appropriately among other candidates.

• Parsing: ATS extracts text and structure from your resume document
• Keyword Matching: The system searches for keywords from the job description
• Ranking: Candidates are scored based on keyword matches and other criteria
• Filtering: Top-ranked resumes are selected for human review

Why ATS Formatting Matters in 2026

The importance of ATS formatting has only increased in recent years. Recruiters receive hundreds of applications for every open position, making it impossible to manually review each resume. ATS systems provide a way to efficiently screen large volumes of applications. Studies show that 75% of resumes never reach human recruiters because they fail ATS screening. This statistic alone demonstrates why proper ATS formatting is essential for job search success in 2026. Whether you're applying for positions at large corporations or small startups, your resume must pass ATS screening to have any chance of being considered.

Beyond just passing initial screening, proper ATS formatting improves your resume's overall quality and readability for both systems and human reviewers. A well-formatted resume is easier to scan quickly, which is important since recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds reviewing each resume. By following ATS formatting best practices, you create a resume that works well for both automated systems and human decision-makers.

ATS Formatting Do's: Best Practices for 2026

Following these best practices ensures your resume is properly formatted for ATS systems. These do's represent proven strategies that improve parsing accuracy, keyword matching, and overall ATS performance.

1. Do Use Standard File Formats

Save your resume as .docx (Microsoft Word), .doc, or .pdf format. These are universally compatible with ATS systems and ensure proper text extraction. Always check the job posting to see if a specific format is requested, and honor that requirement. When in doubt, .docx is the safest choice for ATS compatibility in 2026.

2. Do Choose ATS-Friendly Fonts

Use simple, standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, or Courier New. These fonts are universally recognized by ATS systems and display consistently across different software programs. Avoid decorative, script, or unusual fonts that may not be recognized by parsing algorithms. Font size should be between 10-12 points for body text and 12-14 points for headings.

3. Do Include Relevant Keywords Naturally

Incorporate keywords from the job description throughout your resume, particularly in your professional summary, work experience descriptions, and skills section. Use the same terminology as the job posting—if the posting says "project management," use that exact phrase rather than "managing projects." Keyword density matters, but natural language is more important. ATS systems reward resumes where keywords appear contextually and strategically placed.

4. Do Use Clear Section Headings

Organize your resume with standard section headings like Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications, and Languages. Use consistent formatting for headings (bold or all caps) to help ATS systems identify sections. Clear section headings improve both ATS parsing and human readability, creating a resume that works well for all screening methods.

5. Do Use Bullet Points for Information

Present job descriptions, achievements, and skills in simple bullet points. Bullet points improve readability for both ATS systems and human reviewers. Use standard bullet symbols (•) rather than special characters or images. Each bullet point should be a single line when possible, making information easy to scan and parse.

6. Do Include Contact Information at the Top

Place your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn URL at the very top of your resume in a clear format. ATS systems are programmed to extract this information first. Format it simply—avoid creative formatting that might confuse the parsing algorithm. Include your current location (city/state) but not a full street address.

7. Do Match the Job Description Language

Review the job posting carefully and match the language and terminology used in your resume. If the posting emphasizes "cross-functional collaboration," make sure that phrase appears in your resume. If specific software or technologies are mentioned, include them exactly as written. This matching improves your ATS score and demonstrates that you understand the role requirements.

"ATS formatting is not about making your resume look fancy—it's about making sure your qualifications can be accurately read and understood by both systems and humans. The simpler and clearer your formatting, the better your ATS performance in 2026."

ATS Formatting Don'ts: What to Avoid

These don'ts represent common mistakes that damage ATS compatibility and reduce your resume's effectiveness. Avoiding these pitfalls is just as important as following best practices.

1. Don't Use Tables, Text Boxes, or Columns

ATS systems cannot parse information contained in tables, text boxes, or multi-column layouts. Many job seekers use tables to organize information or create sophisticated designs, but this approach fails with ATS systems. The parsing algorithm gets confused by the structure and may skip information entirely. Stick to simple linear formatting that flows from top to bottom.

2. Don't Include Graphics, Images, or Logos

While visual elements like company logos, icons, or your headshot may look professional, ATS systems cannot read or extract information from images. If you include graphics, use them sparingly and only in sections that won't confuse parsing. Never replace important information (like skills or certifications) with icons or images. The text must be readable by the ATS system.

3. Don't Use Headers, Footers, or Special Formatting

Avoid page headers, footers, or sophisticated formatting elements. ATS systems may fail to properly extract text from headers and footers, causing information to be lost. Similarly, avoid underlining, strikethrough text, or unusual formatting that might confuse the parser. Keep formatting simple and consistent throughout the document.

4. Don't Overuse Special Characters or Symbols

Avoid using special characters, unusual punctuation, or symbols like emojis, arrows, or custom bullets in your resume. Stick to standard punctuation: periods, commas, hyphens, and parentheses. While a single dash or forward slash can work, excessive use of special characters may cause parsing errors. If you use symbols for bullet points, use the standard bullet symbol (•) only.

5. Don't Use Unusual Formatting for Dates

Format dates consistently throughout your resume using clear, standard formats. Use "January 2024" or "01/2024" rather than "Jan. 2024" or "1/24." Inconsistent date formatting can confuse ATS systems when trying to parse your timeline and work history. Using consistent date formats also helps with chronological accuracy when the system sorts employment records.

6. Don't Exceed Standard Page Length

Keep your resume to one page if you have less than 5 years of experience, or two pages maximum for experienced professionals. Extremely long resumes may cause ATS systems to have trouble parsing all the content, and important information could be missed. Recruiters also prefer concise resumes that are easy to scan quickly.

7. Don't Ignore Keywords from the Job Description

Failing to include relevant keywords from the job posting is a critical mistake. If your resume lacks keywords that the employer is searching for, the ATS system will rank you lower. Analyze the job description, identify key requirements, and incorporate that language naturally into your resume. This is the single most important ATS optimization strategy.

8. Don't Use Non-Standard Margins

Use standard margins (0.5 to 1 inch on all sides). Unusual margin settings can cause formatting issues when your resume is uploaded to different systems. Some ATS systems may crop information if margins are too narrow, or have trouble parsing if margins are too wide. Standard margins ensure consistent formatting across all platforms.

File Formats for ATS Compatibility

Choosing the right file format is fundamental to ATS success. Different file formats have varying levels of ATS compatibility, and selecting the wrong format can undermine all your other optimization efforts.

Best File Formats for ATS

.docx (Microsoft Word): This is the most ATS-compatible format and the safest choice for most applications. ATS systems are optimized to read .docx files, and they parse consistently across different systems.

.doc (Older Microsoft Word): While older, .doc format is still widely supported by ATS systems. However, .docx is preferred for better compatibility with modern software.

.pdf: PDF files are ATS-compatible if they're created properly (not scanned images). However, some ATS systems have more difficulty with PDFs than with .docx files. Only use PDF if specifically requested by the employer. Ensure your PDF is created from text (not a scanned image).

Formats to Avoid

Image PDFs or Scanned Documents: These are not ATS-compatible because the system cannot extract text from images. Never scan your resume and submit it as a PDF.

Google Docs: While convenient, Google Docs can lose formatting when converted or downloaded. If you must use Google Docs, download it as a .docx file before submitting.

RTF (Rich Text Format): Some ATS systems have limited RTF support. Avoid this format unless specifically requested.

Pages, Keynote, or Other Mac Formats: These proprietary formats are not universally compatible with ATS systems. Always convert to .docx or .pdf before submitting.

Web-Based Formats (HTML, XML): While technically parseable, these formats are rarely requested and can cause formatting issues. Stick with standard document formats.

Testing Your ATS-Compatible Resume

Before submitting your resume, test it for ATS compatibility to ensure it will be properly parsed and ranked. Several strategies can help you verify that your resume is ATS-ready.

1. The Notepad Test

Open your resume file in Notepad (or any plain text editor). If the content appears as readable text without weird characters or formatting issues, your resume is probably ATS-compatible. If you see strange symbols, garbled text, or missing information, your file has formatting problems that may confuse ATS systems. Make corrections and test again.

2. Use Free ATS Checkers

Several free tools scan your resume and provide feedback on ATS compatibility. Popular options include JobScan, ResyMatch, and VMock. These tools compare your resume against a sample job description and identify missing keywords, formatting issues, and optimization opportunities. They provide specific recommendations for improvement.

3. Review the PDF Version

If you're submitting in .docx format, open the PDF version (using "Print to PDF" or export feature) and review it carefully. Sometimes formatting can shift slightly when converted. Ensure all information is readable and properly positioned in the PDF version as well.

4. Check for Parsing Errors

Submit a test application to a position you're interested in and see if the ATS system correctly parses your information into its fields. If fields are populated incorrectly (wrong information in the wrong places), you have formatting issues to fix. Use this feedback to improve your resume format.

5. Have Someone Review It

Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review your resume for clarity and readability. Fresh eyes can catch formatting issues, confusing layouts, or information that's hard to find. Professional resume writers can also audit your resume specifically for ATS compatibility.