Tailor Your Resume Header with Contact Info for ATS Parsing

Quick answer: Your resume header is the first data point an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) reads. By structuring contact information correctly, you boost the chance that the ATS parses your details accurately and forwards your application to a human recruiter.

Why the Header Matters for ATS

When recruiters upload a resume into an ATS, the software scans the document for keywords, dates, and contact information. If the header is malformed, the system may:

• Miss your phone number or email, causing the recruiter to be unable to contact you.
• Misclassify your name as a job title, lowering relevance scores.
• Flag the file as unreadable, sending it to a spam folder.

According to a 2023 Jobscan study, 68% of resumes are rejected before a human ever sees them, and the top reason is poor ATS formatting. Your header is the gateway.

Key Elements of an ATS‑Friendly Header

Do not add decorative symbols (★, ✔) or embed the header inside a table with merged cells—most ATS parsers cannot read them.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Crafting Your Header

1. Open a plain‑text editor (e.g., Notepad) or a clean Word document with default margins.
2. Type your name on the first line, using a larger font (14‑16 pt) but no special characters.
3. Press Enter and list your phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL on separate lines or separated by a simple pipe (|).
4. Add your city and state on the next line. If you’re open to remote work, you can add “Remote” after the location.
5. Save the file as a .docx or PDF (ensure the PDF is text‑based, not image‑based).
6. Run an ATS check using Resumly’s free ATS Resume Checker to verify parsing.
7. Iterate based on the checker’s feedback—adjust spacing or remove unsupported symbols.

Example of a perfect header:

Jane Doe
+1‑555‑123‑4567 | jane.doe@email.com | https://linkedin.com/in/janedoe
Seattle, WA | Remote

Checklist: Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Use a standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
• Keep contact lines left‑aligned; avoid centering.
• Include a professional email address.
• Test with an ATS parser before sending.

Don’t

• Add emojis, graphics, or decorative borders.
• Use a header/footer section for contact info.
• Include multiple phone numbers or email aliases.
• Embed the header inside a complex table.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Leveraging Resumly Tools to Perfect Your Header

Resumly offers several free utilities that complement the header‑optimizing process:

• ATS Resume Checker – instantly shows how an ATS reads your contact block.
• Resume Readability Test – ensures the surrounding sections don’t drown out the header.
• Job‑Search Keywords Tool – helps you embed role‑specific keywords elsewhere, keeping the header clean.
• AI Resume Builder – generates a fully ATS‑compliant layout with a pre‑validated header.

Mini‑conclusion: Using Resumly’s suite guarantees that your header not only looks professional but also passes the toughest ATS scans.

Mini‑Case Study: From Rejection to Interview

Background: Mark, a software engineer, applied to 30 tech roles. His resume was rejected by the ATS because his header placed the name inside a graphic banner.

Action Steps:

1. Mark switched to a plain‑text header following the step‑by‑step guide above.
2. He ran the new resume through the ATS Resume Checker and saw a 100% parsing rate for his name, phone, and email.
3. He added a concise LinkedIn URL and removed the decorative banner.

Result: Within two weeks, Mark received interview invitations from 5 companies, a 16% conversion from his previous zero‑response rate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I include my personal website in the header? Yes, if the site showcases work relevant to the job (e.g., a portfolio). Keep the URL short and professional.

2. Should I list a second phone number? Generally no. Choose the number you check most frequently. If you must, place the secondary number on a separate line after the primary.

3. Is it okay to write “Available for relocation” in the header? Better to mention relocation preferences in the Career Summary or Location line (e.g., “Seattle, WA | Open to relocation”).

4. Do ATS systems read emojis? No. Emojis are treated as unknown characters and can cause parsing errors.

5. What font size is optimal for the name? 14‑16 pt is standard; anything larger may be truncated in some ATS views.

6. Can I use a PDF instead of a Word document? Yes, but ensure the PDF is text‑based (not a scanned image). Run it through the ATS checker to confirm.

7. How often should I update my header? Whenever your contact details change or you move to a new city. Also, revisit it when applying to roles that emphasize remote work.

8. Does the ATS care about the order of contact items? Most parsers are flexible, but the safest order is: Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Location.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Header for ATS Success

Your resume header is more than a decorative element; it is the first data packet an ATS consumes. By following the guidelines above—using plain text, standard fonts, and a clear pipe‑separated format—you ensure that the system reads your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn without hiccups. Pair this with Resumly’s free tools, and you’ll turn a common rejection point into a competitive advantage.

Ready to see your header in action? Try Resumly’s AI Resume Builder today and let the platform auto‑format your contact information for flawless ATS parsing.

Boost your job‑search efficiency with Resumly’s full suite of AI‑powered career tools:

• Auto‑Apply – one‑click applications.
• Job‑Match – personalized role recommendations.
• Career Guide – expert advice for every stage of your journey.

Take the first step: Optimize your resume header now and let the ATS work for you, not against you.