ATS Resume Mistakes: Examples and Solutions for a Flawless Application Process

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) play a crucial role in modern hiring processes, helping employers efficiently sort through the vast number of resumes they receive. However, even qualified candidates can be disqualified due to common resume mistakes that ATS cannot properly parse. Let's explore typical ATS resume errors, from formatting issues to keyword missteps, and provide actionable solutions to ensure your resume meets ATS standards, enhancing your chances of securing an interview.

Understanding ATS Functionality

An applicant tracking system scans, parses, and filters resumes to identify qualified candidates who meet the criteria for a specific job. ATS systems rely heavily on formatting, structure, and keywords to analyze resumes. Mistakes such as fancy graphics, incorrect date formatting, and missing contact information can prevent your resume from being parsed correctly, meaning it won’t reach hiring managers. Ensuring ATS compatibility by avoiding common formatting mistakes is essential for making it through this automated filter.

 

Common ATS Resume Mistakes

Using Unconventional Formatting

  • The Mistake: Including fancy graphics, unique fonts, tables, or colors confuses ATS systems, leading to rejection.
  • The Solution:Use plain text and standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and avoid visuals or overly complex layouts. Stick to a straightforward, ATS-friendly resume template to make sure your resume is easily read by both ATS software and human recruiters.

Inconsistent or Incorrect Headings

  • The Mistake: Using non-standard section titles like “Work History” instead of “Work Experience” prevents ATS systems from categorizing sections correctly.
  • The Solution: Use standard section headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” This ensures your resume is parsed correctly and makes it easier for human recruiters to navigate.

Incorrect Date Formatting

  • The Mistake: Using non-standard or inconsistent date formats, such as "Jan '20 – Present."
  • The Solution: Ensure consistency using a recognized format like "MM/YYYY" (e.g., 01/2020 – Present). ATS systems are more likely to parse these correctly, ensuring your work history aligns with job descriptions.

Overloading with Keywords

  • The Mistake: Keyword stuffing makes your resume appear forced and unnatural, which is off-putting to both ATS systems and human eyes.
  • The Solution: Seamlessly integrate relevant keywords from the job description into your resume without excessive repetition.

Omitting Important Keywords

  • The Mistake: Excluding specific keywords from the job posting can cause your resume to be filtered out.
  • The Solution: Analyze job descriptions carefully and include terms that match the required skills for the role.

Using Complex Language or Jargon

  • The Mistakes: Overly technical language or unclear jargon can confuse ATS, resulting in misinterpretation or missed skills.
  • The Solution: Use clear, concise language that is easy for both ATS and recruiters to understand.

Formatting Errors

File Type Issues

  • The Mistake: Submitting resumes in incompatible formats, such as certain PDF files, may lead to parsing errors.
  • The Solution: Always use Microsoft Word (DOCX) or another ATS-friendly format. Avoid image-based files.

Using Columns or Graphics

  • The Mistake: Resumes with columns or embedded visuals disrupt ATS parsing, often omitting crucial relevant details.
  • The Solution: Use a single-column layout and avoid embedding complex graphics in your resume.

Poor Readability

  • The Mistake: Dense text without clear bullet points or headings makes it difficult for ATS systems and human recruiters to extract information.
  • The Solution: Use simple bullet points, sufficient white space, and consistent date formatting (e.g., MM/YYYY) to improve readability.

Omitting Relevant Context

  • The Mistake: Simply stating skills like "leadership" without providing examples of how they were used.
  • The Solution: Provide specific examples and results, such as “Led a team of 8 to complete a project 20% ahead of schedule.” This helps both ATS systems, and hiring manager searches recognize your value.

Failure to Tailor Resumes

  • The Mistake: Submitting the same generic resume for multiple applications.
  • The Solution: Customize each resume to match the specific job description, highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

Ignoring Job Titles and Dates

  • The Mistake: Omitting or being unclear about job titles or employment dates, leading to gaps and confusion.
  • The Solution: Clearly list job titles, company names, and accurate employment dates to ensure clarity.

Best Practices to Avoid ATS Mistakes

1. Use an ATS-Friendly Format

Keep your resume clear and concise with a reverse chronological order layout. Opt for ATS-friendly resume templates that adhere to these principles:

  • Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial.
  • Avoid non-standard design elements or fancy graphics.
  • Include standard section headings like “Work Experience” and “Education.”

2. Keyword Research

Extract specific keywords from job listings and incorporate them into your resume naturally. This ensures your resume aligns with job requirements and ATS systems can easily match your qualifications.

3. Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for every job application:

  • Align your core competencies with the job description.
  • Highlight relevant experience and achievements.
  • Match the right keywords from the job posting.

4. Test ATS Compatibility

Use online tools or an ATS resume checker to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. Evaluate reports to identify resume formatting mistakes and adjust as needed.

5. Double Check for Errors

Review your resume for spelling errors, inconsistent formatting, and missing contact details. Make sure your resume adheres to specific requirements like date formats and standard file types to avoid rejection.


Avoiding ATS resume mistakes is critical for advancing through the recruitment process. By adhering to ATS-friendly resume templates, customizing your resume for each job opening, and including relevant details aligned with the job posting, you can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview. Regularly update and review your resume to ensure it meets ATS standards and appeals to both ATS systems and human recruiters.


FAQs

ATS might reject your resume due to common mistakes such as:

  • Unconventional Formatting: Using graphics, unusual fonts, tables, or colors that confuse ATS systems.
  • Inconsistent or Incorrect Headings: Employing non-standard section titles that ATS may not recognize (e.g., using "Work History" instead of "Work Experience").
  • Keyword Issues: Either keyword stuffing, which sounds unnatural, or omitting important keywords relevant to the job description.
  • Complex Language or Jargon: Using unclear phrases that ATS may misinterpret, affecting content clarity.
  • File Type Problems: Submitting in non-standard formats like PDFs that some ATS might not read correctly.
  • Columns or Graphics: Including visuals that disrupt parsing leads to missing data.
  • Lack of Readability: Dense text without clear sections that makes it difficult for ATS to extract information.
  • Generic Content: Using a one-size-fits-all resume instead of tailoring it for each job application.
  • Missing Context: Listing skills without demonstrating how they were applied.
  • Job Details: Not including clear job titles or employment dates, which can create parsing issues.

Avoid these errors to improve your resume's compatibility with ATS and increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.


  • Use ATS-friendly resume templates with standard fonts and simple layouts.
  • Tailor your resume to include relevant keywords from the job posting.
  • Ensure all sections, such as “Work Experience” and “Education,” are clearly labeled.
  • Submit in a compatible file format like Microsoft Word (DOCX).

If a resume is not formatted correctly for ATS, it may lead to automatic disqualification or rejection. Common formatting issues include:

  • Unconventional formatting: Using graphics, unusual fonts, tables, or colors can confuse ATS and prevent it from parsing the content accurately.
  • File type issues: Submitting the resume in a non-standard format, such as certain PDFs, may result in the ATS being unable to read the file.
  • Columns and graphics: Visual elements like columns can disrupt how ATS extracts information, leading to missed or incomplete data.
  • Inconsistent or non-standard headings: Using unfamiliar section titles can cause ATS to overlook important sections of the resume.

These errors result in poor parsing, missed keywords, and incomplete information extraction, ultimately reducing the chances of the resume reaching hiring managers.


To pass an ATS system, ensure your resume adheres to these best practices:

  • Use Simple Formatting: Avoid graphics, tables, columns, unusual fonts, or colors that can confuse ATS parsing.
  • Use Recognizable Headings: Stick to standard section titles like “Work Experience” and “Education” to ensure ATS can properly identify each part.
  • Incorporate Relevant Keywords: Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume, but avoid excessive keyword stuffing.
  • Choose the Right File Format: Submit your resume as a Word document (.doc or .docx) rather than a PDF or other file types that some ATS may struggle to read.
  • Maintain Clear Readability: Structure your resume with clear, distinct sections and avoid dense text blocks.
  • Add Context to Skills: Describe how you applied your skills, not just list them (e.g., explain leadership by detailing a project you led).
  • Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application to align it with the specific requirements and keywords of the position.

An ATS-friendly resume is formatted and written to ensure smooth parsing and readability by Applicant Tracking Systems. It should follow these key characteristics:

  • Simple Formatting: Avoid using graphics, tables, columns, and non-standard fonts that may confuse ATS software. Stick to clear, straightforward layouts and fonts like Arial or Times New Roman.
  • Clear Headings: Use recognized section titles such as "Work Experience" and "Education" for easy identification by the ATS.
  • Proper File Type: Save and submit your resume in a standard format, preferably a Word document, as PDFs or unconventional formats may not be read correctly.
  • Relevant Keywords: Incorporate specific skills and terminology from the job description to optimize keyword matching without overloading or sounding unnatural.
  • Tailored Content: Customize your resume for each job application to align with relevant job requirements, ensuring all important information is included.
  • Readable Layout: Maintain a layout with clear sections and sufficient spacing to enhance data extraction and overall readability.

To ensure your resume is parsed correctly:

  • Stick to ATS-friendly layouts and date formatting (e.g., MM/YYYY).
  • Include a professional email address and up-to-date contact information.
  • Incorporate keywords that match the job requirements.
  • Use an ATS resume checker.

  • Stick to a straightforward resume format without complex graphics.
  • Customize your resume for each job application to include relevant skills.
  • Proofread your resume for errors and double-check specific keywords and date formats.

Improper formatting may prevent ATS from recognizing essential sections, resulting in disqualification. Use an ATS-optimized resume template to avoid such issues.