impact of formatting on ats readability

The impact of formatting on ATS readability is often the hidden factor that separates a resume that lands an interview from one that disappears into a digital black hole. In this guide we break down the science behind applicant tracking systems (ATS), show you how to format for maximum readability, and provide checklists, step‑by‑step walkthroughs, and real‑world examples. By the end, you’ll have a resume that not only looks great to humans but also sails smoothly through any ATS.

Why ATS Readability Matters

Recruiters receive hundreds of applications for a single opening. According to a recent Jobscan study, 75% of resumes are never seen by a human because they fail the ATS scan. The ATS parses text, extracts keywords, and scores relevance. If your formatting confuses the parser, the system may drop your resume before a recruiter even has a chance to view it.

Key Statistics

• 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human reads them (source: Jobscan).
• 60% of hiring managers say a clean, ATS‑friendly layout influences their decision to move a candidate forward (source: CareerBuilder).

These numbers underscore the impact of formatting on ATS readability – a small tweak can dramatically improve your odds.

Core Formatting Elements That Influence ATS Readability

Below are the most common formatting choices that either help or hurt an ATS.

1. Font Choice & Size

• Do use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
• Don’t use decorative fonts (e.g., Comic Sans, Brush Script) – many ATS cannot read them.
• Recommended size: 10‑12 pt for body text, 14‑16 pt for headings.

2. Headings & Section Labels

• Use clear, conventional headings: Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills.
• Avoid creative titles like “My Story” or “What I Do”.
• Bold headings for visual hierarchy; most ATS ignore bold styling but it helps human reviewers.

3. Bullet Points vs. Paragraphs

• Bullet points are ATS‑friendly when they start with a simple dash or a solid bullet (•). Avoid special characters like arrows (→) or emojis.
• Keep each bullet under 2 lines to prevent line‑break parsing errors.

4. Margins & White Space

• Standard 1‑inch margins on all sides keep the text within the printable area.
• Excessive white space can cause the ATS to think sections are missing; keep the document dense but readable.

5. File Type

• PDF is safe for most modern ATS, but some older systems still prefer DOCX. When in doubt, upload a DOCX version.

6. Tables & Columns

• Avoid tables, text boxes, and multi‑column layouts. ATS often reads left‑to‑right and may drop content inside tables.

7. Keywords & Phrases

• Mirror the language from the job description. Use exact terms like “project management”, “SQL”, or “customer acquisition”.
• Sprinkle keywords naturally; keyword stuffing can trigger spam filters.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Building an ATS‑Friendly Resume

1. Start with a Template – Choose a simple, single‑column template from Resumly’s AI Resume Builder.
2. Add a Professional Summary – Write a 2‑3 sentence summary that includes the target job title and 3‑4 core skills.
3. List Work Experience – For each role, start with Job Title, Company, Location, and Dates on one line. Follow with 4‑6 bullet points that start with strong action verbs and embed keywords.
4. Insert Education – Include degree, institution, and graduation year. If you have a GPA above 3.5, add it; otherwise, omit.
5. Add Skills Section – Use a simple list separated by commas or bullet points. Prioritize hard skills that match the posting.
6. Run the ATS Resume Checker – Upload your draft to Resumly’s ATS Resume Checker. Review the readability score and fix any flagged items.
7. Test Readability – Use the Resume Readability Test to ensure sentence length and jargon are within optimal ranges.
8. Export as PDF or DOCX – Choose the format required by the employer.
9. Apply with Auto‑Apply – If you’re using Resumly’s Auto‑Apply, the system will automatically attach the ATS‑optimized resume.

ATS Formatting Checklist (Quick Reference)

• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
• Keep font size 10‑12 pt for body, 14‑16 pt for headings.
• Use conventional headings (Professional Summary, Work Experience, etc.).
• Avoid tables, columns, text boxes.
• Save as PDF (or DOCX if required).
• Include keywords from the job description.
• Use simple bullet points (dash or •).
• Keep margins at 1 inch.
• Run through ATS Resume Checker.
• Verify readability score > 70%.

Do’s and Don’ts of ATS‑Friendly Formatting

Real‑World Example: Before and After

Before (Problematic Formatting)

John Doe

🛠️ Skills: JavaScript • React • Node.js • Agile

Experience:
- Developed web apps (2020‑2022)
- Led a team of 5 engineers

Issues: Emoji, non‑standard bullet, missing headings, mixed symbols.

After (ATS‑Optimized)

John Doe

Professional Summary
Results‑driven Front‑End Engineer with 3 years of experience in JavaScript, React, and Agile development.

Work Experience
Front‑End Engineer | TechCorp | New York, NY | Jan 2020 – Dec 2022
- Developed responsive web applications using JavaScript, React, and Node.js, increasing user engagement by 25%.
- Led a cross‑functional team of 5 engineers to deliver quarterly releases on schedule.

Skills
- JavaScript, React, Node.js, Agile, Git, REST APIs

Improvements: Clear headings, standard bullets, keyword‑rich bullet points, no emojis.

Leveraging Resumly’s Free Tools for ATS Success

• ATS Resume Checker – Instantly see how an ATS parses your resume and get actionable fixes.
• Resume Readability Test – Measures sentence length, passive voice, and jargon.
• Buzzword Detector – Highlights overused buzzwords that may dilute impact.
• Job‑Search Keywords – Generates a list of high‑impact keywords for any role.

Integrating these tools into your workflow ensures the impact of formatting on ATS readability is continuously optimized.

Mini‑Conclusion: The Power of Clean Formatting

Every element—from font choice to bullet style—directly influences how an ATS reads your resume. By following the checklist and using Resumly’s free tools, you turn the impact of formatting on ATS readability into a competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does using a PDF ever hurt ATS parsing? Most modern ATS can read PDFs, but older systems may struggle. When in doubt, upload a DOCX version or check the job posting for file‑type preferences.

2. Can I include a photo on my resume? Generally no. Photos can cause parsing errors and may trigger bias filters. Keep the document text‑only.

3. How many keywords should I use? Aim for 5‑7 core keywords that appear in the job description. Sprinkle them naturally throughout your experience and skills sections.

4. Are tables ever acceptable? Only if the ATS explicitly supports them, which is rare. Stick to plain text lists.

5. Should I use a two‑column layout to save space? Avoid it. Two‑column layouts often confuse ATS parsers, causing content to be dropped.

6. How often should I run the ATS Resume Checker? Run it after each major edit—especially after adding new experience or tweaking keywords.

7. Does the ATS read bold or italic text? Bold and italic are ignored by most ATS, but they help human reviewers. Use them sparingly for headings.

8. What if my resume score is still low after fixing formatting? Consider revisiting the keywords and skill alignment. Use Resumly’s Job‑Search Keywords tool to discover missing terms.

Final Takeaway: Mastering the Impact of Formatting on ATS Readability

The impact of formatting on ATS readability is not a myth—it’s a measurable factor that can boost your interview rate by double digits. By adopting a clean, single‑column layout, using standard fonts, and leveraging Resumly’s AI‑powered tools, you ensure that both machines and humans see the best version of you.

Ready to transform your resume? Visit the Resumly homepage, try the AI Resume Builder, and run your draft through the ATS Resume Checker today.