ATS resume checklist

Move sidebars and side-by-side blocks into one column, in the order you want them read.

Rename creative headings (“Where I’ve been”, “My toolbox”) to the plain names readers and software look for.

Replace icons and graphics with words, and move anything in the header or footer into the body of the page.

Pick one format, for example “Mar 2023 – Present”, and use it for every role, course and project.

Export the PDF from your editor rather than scanning or saving it as an image. A quick test: you can select the words in the PDF.

Use the posting’s wording in your headline or summary when it is accurate. Never rename a job title you actually held.

Compare your resume with the job description in the free ATS resume checker, and add a missing skill only where it is true, with a line showing where you used it.

Replace layout tables with plain lines; put dates on a right-aligned tab stop instead.

Type your contact details as plain text at the top of the body, not in a header, text box or image.

Rename the file to something like Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf so it is easy to find.