ATS Optimisation Guide: How to Make Your Resume Pass Automated Screening
By AI Resume CV Team
Did you know that 70% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human recruiter ever sees them? In India's competitive job market, ATS optimisation isn't optional — it's essential.
What Is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to manage their recruitment process. When you apply for a job online, your resume is first parsed and analysed by the ATS before being forwarded to a recruiter.
Popular ATS platforms used by Indian companies include:
- Naukri RMS — Used by most Indian corporates
- SAP SuccessFactors — Common in IT and MNCs
- Greenhouse — Popular among startups
- Lever — Used by fast-growing companies
- Workday — Common in large enterprises
How ATS Parsing Works
The ATS extracts information from your resume and stores it in a structured database. It looks for:
- Contact information — Name, email, phone, location
- Work experience — Company names, job titles, dates, descriptions
- Education — Degrees, institutions, graduation years
- Skills — Technical and soft skills
- Certifications — Professional certifications
7 Proven ATS Optimisation Strategies
1. Use Standard Section Headings
ATS parsers look for standard headings. Use these exact labels:
| Standard Heading | Variations That Work |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | Professional Experience, Employment History |
| Education | Academic Background, Qualifications |
| Skills | Core Competencies, Technical Skills |
| Certifications | Professional Certifications, Licenses |
| Projects | Key Projects, Personal Projects |
2. Include Keywords From the Job Description
Analyse the job description and identify 10-15 key skills and qualifications. Incorporate them naturally into your resume. If a job requires "Python," "Machine Learning," and "TensorFlow," make sure these exact terms appear in your skills section and experience descriptions.
3. Avoid Tables and Complex Formatting
While they look great, tables can confuse ATS parsers. Stick to a simple, single-column layout with clear section breaks.
4. Use Standard Date Formats
Use Month YYYY – Month YYYY format consistently. For example, "June 2020 – Present" rather than "06/2020 – Present."
5. Save as PDF (But Check the ATS)
PDF is generally safe, but some older ATS systems prefer DOCX. When in doubt, check the job posting for format preferences.
6. Spell Out Acronyms
Always include both the full form and acronym on first use: "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)." This ensures the ATS catches both variations.
7. Quantify Your Achievements
Instead of "Improved sales," write "Increased sales by 35% within 6 months by implementing a new CRM system." Numbers are easier for ATS to evaluate and more impressive to recruiters.
Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid
- Using images or icons in place of text
- Putting contact information in headers or footers
- Using creative fonts that may not parse correctly
- Including graphics, charts, or progress bars for skills
- Using acronyms without spelling them out first
Test Your Resume Before Applying
Use AI Resume CV's free ATS scanner to check how your resume performs before submitting it. The scanner analyses keyword match, formatting issues, section structure, and action verb usage.