You’ve probably heard the advice: make your resume “ATS-compliant.”
It sounds high-stakes. It’s also not quite true.
There’s no single format that applicant tracking systems require — and no system is auto-rejecting your resume because it doesn’t follow a specific template. Recruiters can always open and review the original file you send.
What’s actually happening behind the scenes is much simpler: an applicant tracking system (ATS) scans your resume, pulls out the text, and stores it so a recruiter can search and review it later. Typically, the ATS is attempting to parse your contact information to create a profile.
The goal isn’t compliance. It’s making sure your resume can be read.
Here’s how to do that:
- Submit your resume as a PDF (most systems prefer it)
- Do a quick highlight test (if you can select all the text, you’re in good shape)
- Keep formatting clean and straightforward (the system can’t read images)
- If you’re using a design tool like Canva, be sure not to “flatten” your file (flattening turns your resume into an image, and the text can’t be read)
And one thing we’ll always say: there are real people on the other side of these systems. At Boly:Welch, every resume that comes through our desk is reviewed by a human.
So instead of chasing a made-up standard, focus on what actually works! Clearly stated experience, strong outcomes, and a resume that’s easy to read — by software and by people.
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