10 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Resume ATS Score in 2025

If your resume can’t get past an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it never reaches a human recruiter. In 2025, ATS algorithms are smarter, but the fundamentals haven’t changed. This guide walks you through ten proven strategies—complete with checklists, step‑by‑step tutorials, and free Resumly tools—to raise your ATS score and land more interviews.

Why ATS Scores Matter in 2025

According to a recent Jobscan study, 87% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software to filter candidates before a human ever sees a resume. A low ATS score means your application is likely discarded before you even have a chance to showcase your personality or interview skills. Boosting that score is the single most effective way to increase interview callbacks.

Quick fact: The average ATS score for a well‑crafted resume in 2025 is around 78/100. Anything below 70 is considered “risky.”

Below you’ll find a step‑by‑step checklist for each strategy, plus real‑world examples and internal links to Resumly’s free tools that automate many of these tasks.

Strategy 1: Use ATS‑Friendly Formatting

Definition: ATS‑friendly formatting means a clean, simple layout that can be parsed by parsing engines without errors.

Do:

• Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Keep the file type as .docx or PDF (text‑based).
• Use left‑aligned text and avoid headers/footers for critical information.

Don’t:

• Insert tables, text boxes, or graphics.
• Use multi‑column layouts.
• Add excessive whitespace or decorative lines.

Example: A plain‑text version of a work experience section:

Experience
Software Engineer – XYZ Corp – Jan 2022 – Present
- Developed a micro‑service architecture that reduced API latency by 35%.
- Led a team of 5 engineers to deliver 12 releases per year.

Internal link: Learn more about Resumly’s AI Resume Builder that automatically formats your resume for ATS compliance – https://www.resumly.ai/features/ai-resume-builder

Strategy 2: Optimize Keywords for the Target Role

Definition: Keywords are exact words or phrases that appear in the job description and are used by ATS to rank candidates.

How to Find the Right Keywords

1. Copy the job posting into a text editor.
2. Highlight nouns and action verbs that appear 2+ times (e.g., project management, SQL, Agile).
3. Use Resumly’s Job‑Search Keywords tool to discover additional industry‑specific terms – https://www.resumly.ai/job-search-keywords

Checklist

• Include at least 5 primary keywords.
• Mirror the exact phrasing (e.g., “project management” vs. “managing projects”).
• Place keywords in the Professional Summary, Skills, and Experience sections.

Case study: Jane, a data analyst, added “data visualization” and “Python” (exactly as listed) to her summary. Her ATS score jumped from 62 to 84.

Strategy 3: Leverage an AI‑Powered Resume Builder

Resumly’s AI Resume Builder analyzes your existing content, suggests ATS‑friendly phrasing, and auto‑formats the document.

Step‑by‑Step Guide

1. Visit the AI Resume Builder – https://www.resumly.ai/features/ai-resume-builder
2. Upload your current resume or start from scratch.
3. Choose the job title you’re targeting.
4. Let the AI rewrite bullet points with power verbs and metrics.
5. Export as a .docx file.

Result: Users report an average ATS score increase of +12 points after one iteration.

Strategy 4: Tailor Each Application, Not Just the Cover Letter

Many candidates think customizing the cover letter is enough. In 2025, ATS also scans the resume body for role‑specific language.

Mini‑Checklist for Tailoring

• Update the Professional Summary to reflect the target role.
• Swap out generic bullet points for role‑specific achievements.
• Adjust the Skills list to prioritize the top 8 keywords from the posting.

Pro tip: Use Resumly’s AI Cover Letter generator to keep the narrative consistent – https://www.resumly.ai/features/ai-cover-letter

Strategy 5: Quantify Achievements with Numbers

Why it works: ATS algorithms assign higher relevance to bullet points that contain measurable outcomes.

Do:

• Include percentages, dollar amounts, or time frames.
• Start each bullet with a strong verb followed by a metric.

Example:

• Increased sales revenue by 23% within six months by redesigning the pricing model.

Don’t:

• Use vague statements like “Improved processes.”

Strategy 6: Use Standard Section Headings

ATS looks for common headings such as Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications. Deviating from these can cause the parser to miss critical data.

Quick Reference Table

Strategy 7: Avoid Graphics, Logos, and Complex Visuals

Even though a sleek design looks great to humans, most ATS strip out images and can misinterpret surrounding text.

What to Remove

• Company logos.
• Icons next to bullet points.
• Background images or watermarks.

Instead, use plain text symbols like hyphens or asterisks for bullets.

Strategy 8: Test Your Resume with an ATS Checker

Resumly offers a free ATS Resume Checker that scores your document and highlights problem areas.

If you want to compare a few options before settling on one, it's worth looking at a roundup of the best free ATS resume checkers so you know how each tool scores and reports on keyword matches.

How to Use It

1. Go to https://www.resumly.ai/ats-resume-checker
2. Upload your resume (PDF or DOCX).
3. Review the Score and the Keyword Match report.
4. Implement the suggested changes and re‑run the test.

Sample output:

• Score: 71/100
• Issues: 2 tables detected, 3 missing keywords.

After fixing the issues, the score rose to 86/100.

Strategy 9: Keep Length Optimal – 1‑2 Pages for Most Roles

While senior executives may need 2‑3 pages, most candidates should aim for one page if under 10 years of experience, otherwise two pages.

Do:

• Remove outdated roles older than 10 years unless highly relevant.
• Consolidate similar positions into a single entry.

Don’t:

• Include every internship or part‑time job.
• Add long paragraphs; use concise bullet points.

Strategy 10: Continuously Refine with a Resume Roast

A Resume Roast is a peer‑review that points out ATS‑unfriendly elements.

How Resumly Helps

• Submit your resume to the Resume Roast tool – https://www.resumly.ai/resume-roast
• Receive a detailed report with actionable fixes.
• Iterate until your score consistently stays above 80.

Success story: Mark, a marketing manager, used the Roast three times and lifted his ATS score from 68 to 92, resulting in 5 interview calls within two weeks.

Bonus: Leverage Additional Free Tools

• Buzzword Detector – Identify overused buzzwords that may trigger ATS filters. https://www.resumly.ai/buzzword-detector
• Resume Readability Test – Ensure your language is clear for both bots and humans. https://www.resumly.ai/resume-readability-test
• Career Personality Test – Align your resume tone with your personality type. https://www.resumly.ai/career-personality-test

Quick Reference Checklist (All 10 Strategies)

• Use ATS‑friendly formatting (standard fonts, no tables).
• Insert target‑role keywords (5+ primary, exact phrasing).
• Build or refine with Resumly’s AI Resume Builder.
• Tailor each resume version to the specific job.
• Quantify every achievement.
• Use standard headings.
• Remove all graphics and logos.
• Run the ATS Resume Checker and fix issues.
• Keep the document to 1‑2 pages.
• Perform a Resume Roast and iterate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How often should I run the ATS Resume Checker?

Run it after every major edit and before you submit an application. A quick check takes under a minute.

Q2: Can I use a template from Microsoft Word?

Only if the template is single‑column, plain‑text. Most decorative templates break ATS parsing.

Q3: Do keywords need to appear in every section?

No, but they should be present in the Summary, Skills, and at least two experience bullet points.

Q4: Is a PDF safe for ATS?

Yes, as long as it’s text‑based (not image‑based). Use Resumly’s export function to guarantee compatibility.

Q5: How many metrics should I include?

Aim for one metric per bullet. Too many numbers can look cluttered; too few reduces relevance.

Q6: Will the AI Cover Letter affect my ATS score?

Indirectly, yes. A well‑aligned cover letter can reinforce the same keywords, signaling relevance to the ATS.

Q7: Should I list soft skills like “team player”?

Only if the job description explicitly mentions them. Otherwise, focus on hard, measurable skills.

Q8: How does the Chrome Extension help?

It auto‑fills your optimized resume into job portals, ensuring the exact ATS‑friendly version is submitted each time – https://www.resumly.ai/features/chrome-extension

Conclusion: Master the Main Keyword – 10 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Resume ATS Score in 2025

By systematically applying these ten strategies, you’ll transform a generic resume into an ATS‑optimized powerhouse. Remember to format cleanly, embed the right keywords, quantify results, and continuously test with Resumly’s free tools. Your improved ATS score translates directly into more interview invitations and, ultimately, faster career growth.

Ready to put these tactics into action? Start with Resumly’s AI Resume Builder and ATS Resume Checker today – https://www.resumly.ai. Your next interview is just a few clicks away!