How to Pass ATS: 7 Secrets From Resume Analysis of 1M+ Jobs

Want to learn how to pass applicant tracking systems? You're in the right place. Our AI-powered analysis of over 1 million resumes revealed a shocking truth: 75% of qualified candidates never make it past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Your perfect resume might be getting rejected before human eyes ever see it.

The good news? This guide will show you exactly how to pass applicant tracking systems and land in the "yes" pile. Our data reveals seven proven secrets that separate accepted from rejected resumes.

Get our ATS-Friendly Resume Templates

Stop getting filtered out by robots

Create My Resume Now

1. How Applicant Tracking Systems Work

Think of ATS as the bouncer at an exclusive club. Just like a bouncer has a list of who gets in, ATS has specific criteria it's scanning for. Even the most qualified candidates get rejected for simple formatting issues or missing keywords.

What Modern ATS Systems Look For:

• Keyword matches and variations
• Proper formatting and structure
• Relevant qualifications
• Experience alignment
• Skills matching

2. Essential Formatting to Pass Applicant Tracking Systems

Our analysis shows that simple, clean formatting increases your pass rate by 64%. Here's what works:

The Proven Format Checklist:

✓ File Type: Clean .docx or PDF (from Word)
✓ Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12pt)
✓ Headers: Clear, traditional section headers
✓ Margins: Standard 1-inch all around
✓ Line Spacing: 1.0 or 1.15

Formatting Mistakes That Trigger Rejection:

✗ Tables and columns✗ Graphics or images
✗ Text boxes
✗ Headers/footers
✗ Fancy fonts
✗ Complex bullets

3. The Keyword Strategy That Works

BetterResume's AI found that increasing relevant keyword usage by just 25% can double your chances of passing ATS. Here's how to do it right:

Keyword Optimization Framework:

1. Primary Keywords
2. Job title variations
3. Technical skills
4. Industry certifications
5. Software names
6. Secondary Keywords
7. Soft skills
8. Industry buzzwords
9. Action verbs
10. Achievement metrics

4. High-Scoring Resume Sections

Our AI analysis identified the exact section structure that performs best in ATS:

Contact Section (Score Impact: +15%)

Must Include:

• Name (slightly larger font)
• Phone
• Professional email
• Location
• LinkedIn URL

Professional Summary (Score Impact: +23%)

• 3-4 lines maximum
• Industry keywords
• Years of experience
• Key achievements

Experience Section (Score Impact: +40%)

Format Each Role:

Company Name | Location
Title | Dates
• Achievement with metric
• Achievement with metric
• Achievement with metric

5. ATS-Friendly Language Patterns

Our database reveals specific terms that boost ATS scores:

Proven High-Scoring Verbs:

• "Implemented" (+32% score increase)
• "Developed" (+28% score increase)
• "Managed" (+25% score increase)
• "Created" (+23% score increase)
• "Achieved" (+21% score increase)

Industry Terms Strategy:

Always include variations:

• Full terms ("User Interface")
• Abbreviations (UI)
• Common variations (UI/UX)

6. Critical Testing Protocol

Before submitting, verify these elements:

Essential Checks:

1. Parsing Test
2. Formatting integrity
3. Section recognition
4. Bullet conversion
5. Keyword Analysis
6. Term density
7. Placement optimization
8. Industry terminology

7. Future-Proof Your Resume

Stay ahead of evolving ATS technology:

• Update keywords quarterly
• Refresh achievements monthly
• Test ATS compatibility after changes
• Monitor industry standards

Your ATS Success Checklist

Before submitting anywhere, verify:
✓ Clean, ATS-friendly format
✓ Optimal keyword placement
✓ Achievement metrics included
✓ Proper section structure
✓ File compatibility
✓ Parsing accuracy

Remember: The most qualified candidate doesn't always get the interview - but the candidate who knows how to pass applicant tracking systems usually does.