How to Understand How Translation Affects ATS Parsing

Quick answer: Translating a resume changes the wording, formatting, and keyword density that an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) relies on to rank candidates. If you don’t plan the translation carefully, the ATS may misread or discard your application. This guide walks you through the why, the how, and the tools you need to keep your multilingual resume ATS‑friendly.

Why ATS Parsing Matters for Multilingual Candidates

In 2023, Jobscan reported that 87% of recruiters use an ATS to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. The system scans for:

• Exact keyword matches (including industry jargon).
• Standard section headings (e.g., Experience, Education).
• Clean, machine‑readable formatting (tables, bullet points, simple fonts).

When you translate a resume, you inevitably replace keywords, alter headings, and sometimes introduce characters that the ATS can’t parse. The result? Your resume may be ranked lower or rejected outright, even if your qualifications are perfect.

Bottom line: A well‑translated resume is only as good as its ability to speak the ATS’s language.

How Translation Changes the Resume Structure

Keyword Mapping and Language Variations

Different languages have multiple ways to express the same skill. For example, “project management” in Spanish can be gestión de proyectos or dirección de proyectos. An ATS trained on English job descriptions may only recognize one variant. To avoid losing points:

1. Identify core keywords in the original English version.
2. Research the most common translation used in local job ads (use the Job Search Keywords tool).
3. Include both the translated term and the English equivalent in parentheses if the ATS supports Unicode.

Formatting Shifts and Parsing Errors

Many translation tools (Google Translate, DeepL) re‑format text automatically. Common issues include:

• Converting bullet points to dashes that the ATS treats as plain text.
• Adding hidden characters (zero‑width spaces) that break parsing.
• Changing date formats (e.g., 01/2022 to 01‑2022), which can confuse the system’s date parser.

Solution: After translation, run the document through a plain‑text editor (like Notepad) to strip hidden formatting, then re‑apply a clean template.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Translate Your Resume Without Breaking ATS

1. Start with an ATS‑Optimized English Template
   • Use Resumly’s AI Resume Builder to generate a clean, ATS‑friendly layout.
2. Extract Plain Text
   • Copy the content into a plain‑text file to remove hidden styles.
3. Create a Keyword Glossary
   • List every skill, certification, and industry term.
   • Search local job boards for the most frequent translations (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed).
4. Translate Manually or with a Hybrid Approach
   • Use a machine translator for the first pass.
   • Review each line, replace synonyms with the glossary terms, and keep headings identical (e.g., Experience → Experiencia but also add Experience in small caps).
5. Preserve Section Headings
   • Keep the original English heading in parentheses: ## Experiencia (Experience).
6. Re‑apply Formatting
   • Use simple bullet points (•) and standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, 11‑12 pt).
7. Run an ATS Check
   • Upload the translated file to Resumly’s ATS Resume Checker.
   • Fix any flagged issues (missing keywords, unreadable sections).
8. Test with a Real Job Posting
   • Paste the job description into the Resume Readability Test to see how well your resume matches.
9. Iterate
   • Adjust keywords, re‑run the checker, and repeat until the score is above 80%.

Do’s and Don’ts Checklist

Tools and Resources to Test Your Translated Resume

• ATS Resume Checker – Instantly see how an ATS reads your file.
• AI Cover Letter Builder – Generate a cover letter that mirrors the same keyword strategy.
• Resume Roast – Get AI‑driven feedback on tone and readability.
• Buzzword Detector – Spot overused jargon that may trigger ATS filters.
• Career Personality Test – Align your resume narrative with the roles you’re targeting.

By leveraging these free tools, you can validate every element of your multilingual application before hitting “Apply”.

Real‑World Example: Before and After Translation

Original English Version (Excerpt)

Experience
- Managed a cross‑functional team of 12 engineers to deliver a SaaS product, increasing ARR by 35%.
- Implemented Agile Scrum, reducing release cycle from 8 weeks to 3 weeks.
Skills
- Project Management, Java, AWS, Data Analysis

Translated Spanish Version (Problematic)

Experiencia
- Gestionó un equipo multifuncional de 12 ingenieros para entregar un producto SaaS, aumentando el ARR en un 35%.
- Implementó Scrum Ágil, reduciendo el ciclo de lanzamiento de 8 semanas a 3 semanas.
Habilidades
- Gestión de proyectos, Java, AWS, Análisis de datos

Issues Detected by ATS Checker:

• Missing keyword "Project Management" (Spanish version used Gestión de proyectos only).
• The term "ARR" (Annual Recurring Revenue) is not recognized in Spanish; the ATS flagged it as unknown.
• Bullet formatting changed to an em‑dash, causing a parsing error.

Optimized Bilingual Version

## Experiencia (Experience)
- Managed a cross‑functional team of 12 engineers to deliver a SaaS product, increasing **ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue)** by 35%.
- Implementó **Agile Scrum** (Agile Scrum), reducing release cycle from 8 weeks to 3 weeks.
## Habilidades (Skills)
- **Project Management** (Gestión de proyectos), Java, AWS, Data Analysis (Análisis de datos)

Result: The ATS now detects both English and Spanish keywords, retains proper bullet points, and scores 92% on the Resumly checker.

Best Practices Checklist for Multilingual ATS Success

• Research local job ads and extract the top 10 keywords.
• Maintain original English headings in parentheses.
• Use Unicode‑compatible fonts (Arial, Calibri) to avoid character loss.
• Limit line length to 70 characters to prevent wrap‑around errors.
• Run the ATS checker after each translation iteration.
• Include a short English summary at the top of the resume for global recruiters.
• Save as a text‑based PDF (not scanned image).
• Update your LinkedIn profile with the same bilingual keywords (use the LinkedIn Profile Generator).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will an ATS understand non‑Latin scripts (e.g., Chinese, Arabic)? Modern ATS platforms support Unicode, but many still prioritize Latin characters. Include an English version of critical sections to be safe.
2. Do I need to translate every section of my resume? Focus on the Experience, Skills, and Education sections. A bilingual summary at the top is often enough.
3. Can I use Google Translate for my resume? It’s a good starting point, but always review for industry‑specific terminology and formatting errors.
4. How many keywords should I include? Aim for a 1:1 ratio of keywords to bullet points. Over‑stuffing can trigger spam filters.
5. Is a PDF safer than a .docx for ATS parsing? Both work if the PDF is text‑based. Avoid image‑only PDFs.
6. What if the job posting is in a language I don’t speak? Use Resumly’s AI Resume Builder to generate a draft, then have a native speaker proofread.
7. Will translating affect my chances with global companies? Yes, if done poorly. A well‑optimized bilingual resume signals cultural awareness and technical precision.
8. How often should I update my translated resume? Whenever you acquire a new skill or certification, run it through the ATS checker again.

Conclusion: Mastering Translation for ATS Success

Understanding how translation affects ATS parsing is the first step toward landing interviews in multiple markets. By preserving keyword integrity, maintaining clean formatting, and leveraging Resumly’s free tools, you can turn a multilingual resume from a liability into a strategic advantage.

Ready to put these tactics into practice? Visit the Resumly homepage to start building an ATS‑optimized, bilingual resume in minutes, then test it with the ATS Resume Checker. Your next global opportunity is just a well‑parsed resume away.