Have you ever applied for a job but never got a response? The problem is not in your skills or experience but in your resume. Many companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human sees them. If your resume is not ATS-friendly, it may never reach a hiring manager.

At NxtJob.ai, we understand how frustrating this can be. That’s why we offer a free ATS resume scan to help job seekers like you improve their chances of getting hired.

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a computer program that helps companies sort job applications. Many businesses get hundreds of resumes for each job. Reading them all would take too much time. Instead, they use ATS to scan resumes.

The system looks for certain words, the proper layout, and a clear structure. If your resume is missing these things, the ATS may not approve it. This means a hiring manager might never see your application. To improve your chances, you must ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. That way, it can pass the scan and reach real people.

Why Does Your Resume Need to Be ATS-Friendly?

Companies get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of job applications for one position. It would take too long for people to read them all. That’s why businesses use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The ATS scans resume fast and pick the best ones. If your resume is not ATS-friendly, it might not get noticed—even if you are an excellent fit for the job. A poorly formatted resume could get rejected before a recruiter ever sees it.

To improve your chances, you must follow ATS rules. Resumes that are appropriately structured include the right keywords and use the correct format to get read by people and not the scan.

Common Reasons Why Resumes Fail ATS Scans:

Incorrect format – Great visuals, like tables and fancy designs, definitely don’t suit the ATS.

Missing Keywords – The system does not include keywords that are related to the job. Your resume may not pass if you do not have them.

Unclear headings – Titles like “Work History” instead of “Professional Experience” can cause problems.

Special characters – Symbols and unusual fonts can create errors.

Wrong file type – Some ATS programs can’t read PDFs well. Using a Word document is a safer choice.

Too many stylistic elements – Avoid coloured text, multiple fonts, or complex layouts. Keep your resume clean and straightforward.

Common ATS Myths Debunked

Quite a few people misinterpret how Applicant Tracking Systems work. Mistakes made from following these myths can harm your job search. It’s time to dispel the worst myths of ATS.

Myth: ATS automatically rejects resumes. Debunked: ATS does not delete or reject resumes. It scans them and ranks them based on how well they match the job description. If your resume ranks too low, a recruiter may never see it.

Myth: Only keywords matter. Debunked: Keywords are essential, but they are not the only thing ATS looks for. It also checks your format, structure, and readability to make sure your resume is well-organized.

Myth: ATS cannot read PDFs. Debunked: Some older systems have trouble reading PDFs, but most modern ATS tools can process them. However, to be safe, it’s best to submit your resume as a Word document (.docx) unless the job posting says otherwise.

Myth: A human never sees your resume. Debunked: If your resume is ATS-friendly and ranks high, a recruiter will review it. The ATS helps sort resumes, but humans make the final hiring decisions. A strong, well-formatted resume increases your chances of getting noticed.

Understanding how ATS really works can help you avoid mistakes and improve your job search success.

How NxtJob.ai Can Help

At NxtJob.ai, we offer a free ATS resume scan to help job seekers improve their resumes. Many people don’t realize that their resumes might not pass an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) scan. The automatic details of our AI tool then review your resume and give a report on what is perfect and what needs improvement.

Key Features of NxtJob ATS Resume Checker:

Resume Keyword Optimization – Our software was designed to ensure your resume contains the correct industry keywords from job descriptions. However, without them, your resume may fail to rank.

Formatting Check – Fancy designs, tables, and images can confuse ATS software. Our scan points out any formatting issues.

Readability Score – We make sure your resume is easy for both ATS and recruiters to read. If it’s too complex, it may get ignored.

Structure Analysis – The tool reviews your headings and sections to see if they match ATS-friendly guidelines. Clear section titles help ATS understand your resume better.

Key Features of NxtJob ATS Resume Checker:

With NxtJob.ai’s free scan, you can fix resume mistakes and increase your chances of landing interviews.

Manual vs. AI Resume Review

There are key differences between manual resume review by recruiters and automated ATS screening.

Speed: ATS enables quick resume evaluations at the rate of one resume assessed per few seconds, but manual review takes numerous minutes to complete each assessment. The resume screening process through ATS takes only a few seconds because the software scans and analyses candidate applications.

Consistency: The resume evaluation process from a recruiter depends on individual screening methods and seasonal staffing requirements. The ATS system applies the same standardized evaluation parameters to each resume it screens.

Bias Risk: Human recruiters tend to introduce unintentional behavioral preferences that influence their hiring evaluations. ATS performs objective screening because it evaluates resumes solely based on keywords, along with structure and document formatting.

Keyword Matching: During keyword matching, recruiters examine resumes to determine whether they match essential job requirements by hand. ATS implements automatic keyword scans in job applications so it can produce rankings based on search term relevancy.

Formatting Sensitivity: The formatting capabilities of ATS work best on standardized layouts, whereas recruiters maintain flexibility when reviewing various resume types. ATS cannot handle complex resume formatting effectively, which includes tables and graphics.

How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

1. Use the Right Keywords

ATs software scans the resume for keywords similar to the job description. Your resume might fail screening if you do not include it.

To find the right keywords:

Read the job description carefully and highlight essential skills, qualifications, and industry-specific terms.

Look for repeated words or phrases in the job post. Employers often mention key skills multiple times.

Use those keywords naturally in your resume. Don’t copy and paste them randomly—make sure they fit your work experience.

Include variations of keywords. Some AT systems are able to recognise synonyms, while others are not. For instance, if relevant, use both ‘Project Management’ and ‘Managing Projects’.

The right keywords can increase your resume’s search receptivity and your chance of getting a recruiter actually going to look at it.

2. Choose a Simple Format

ATS software struggles to read complex resume designs with fancy formatting. To ensure your resume is processed correctly, keep the layout simple and professional.

Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Fancy fonts can confuse ATS.

Stick to black text on a white background for maximum readability. Avoid coloured text or shading.

Use clear section headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Creative titles like “My Journey” may not be recognised.

Keep it structured with bullet points. Lists are easier for ATS to scan than paragraphs.

Do not use tables, columns, or graphics. These elements can prevent ATS from reading your information correctly.

A well-structured resume makes it easier for ATS and recruiters to understand your qualifications.

3. Save in the Correct File Type

Different ATS systems process file formats differently, and some struggle with PDFs. To be safe, always submit your resume in a format that works best for ATS.

Use .docx (Microsoft Word) as the default file format. It is the most widely accepted tool by ATS.

Avoid PDFs unless the job posting specifies it. Some ATS systems have trouble extracting text from PDFs.

Do not submit image-based resumes. If your resume is a scanned document or image, ATS won’t read it correctly.

Use a simple file name like “John_Doe_Resume.docx” to keep it professional and ATS-friendly.

Saving your resume in the correct format ensures it won’t get rejected due to file compatibility issues.

4. Use Standard Headings

Because ATS software classifies information by heading, each section should be titled with its standard title.

Instead of creative or unclear section titles, use:

• Professional Experience (instead of “Career History” or “My Work Journey”).

• Education (instead of “Academic Background” or “My Studies”).

• “Things I’m Good At” or “My Abilities” should be switched to Skills.

• Certifications (instead of “Courses I Took” or “Learning Achievements”).

This way, ATS understands the sections of your resume using clear and industry-standard headings.

5. Avoid Special Characters and Images

• Many ATS systems have trouble processing special characters, symbols, and images. If your resume includes these, it may not be read correctly.

• Do not use images, icons, or logos—ATS can’t interpret them.

• Avoid special characters like “✓,” “★,” or “→.” Stick to plain bullet points (•) instead.

• Do not include text in headers, footers, or text boxes. Some ATS software ignores those sections entirely.

• Use standard date formats (e.g., “January 2023 – Present”) instead of creative date styles like “01/23 – Now.”

Actionable Resume Improvements Checklist

Before submitting your resume, go through this checklist to ensure it is ATS-friendly:

• Use headings (should be Work Experience, Education or Skills).

• As mentioned, they should include relevant keywords from the job description as well.

• It uses simple formatting and has only text, no tables, images, or unique fonts.

• Save the document in the .docx format unless specified.

• It should include bullet points of achievements and responsibilities.

• Use characters that AT might not recognise.

• The most important part is to maintain professionalism by checking spelling and grammar.

• So, pass your resume through NxtJob.ai’s free ATS scan run.

The Role of ATS in Modern Hiring

Recruiters and hiring managers rely on ATS to streamline their hiring process. According to recent studies:

• 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to filter resumes.

• Over 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes because they fail the ATS scan.

• Job seekers who optimise their resumes for ATS are three times more likely to get an interview.

Conclusion

In today’s job market, an ATS-friendly resume is a necessity. Optimising your resume and following the best practices will get you the appointments. Using the free ATS resume scan with Nxtjob.ai, you can find and correct common mistakes that could better shoot for your dream job. Don’t lose your resume in the system; move today!