What Are ATS-Friendly Resume Examples?
ATS-friendly resume examples are templates and samples designed to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) - the software that scans resumes before they reach human recruiters. These examples demonstrate proper formatting, keyword usage, and structure that ATS systems can easily parse and understand.
In this guide, we'll show you ATS-friendly resume examples for different professions and explain what makes them effective.
Why ATS-Friendly Examples Matter
Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS systems, and even smaller companies are adopting this technology. Your resume must:
- Pass the ATS screening to reach human recruiters
- Rank highly based on keyword matching
- Maintain formatting when parsed by the system
- Include relevant keywords from job descriptions
Using ATS-friendly resume examples as templates ensures your resume gets through initial screenings.
Key Elements of ATS-Friendly Resumes
1. Simple, Clean Formatting
ATS systems struggle with complex layouts. Effective examples use:
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Clear section headings
- Bullet points instead of tables
- Consistent date formats
- No headers, footers, or text boxes
2. Standard Section Headings
Use conventional headings that ATS systems recognize:
- Professional Summary or Summary
- Work Experience or Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
3. Keyword Optimization
Effective examples include:
- Keywords from job descriptions
- Industry-specific terminology
- Software and tools mentioned in postings
- Relevant certifications
ATS-Friendly Resume Examples by Profession
Software Engineer Example
Key Features:
- Prominent Skills section with programming languages
- Project descriptions with technologies used
- GitHub and portfolio links
- Quantifiable achievements
Sample Structure:
- Professional Summary highlighting technical expertise
- Technical Skills section (Programming Languages, Frameworks, Tools)
- Work Experience with project-focused descriptions
- Education with relevant coursework
- Projects section showcasing portfolio work
Marketing Manager Example
Key Features:
- Results-focused descriptions
- Metrics and KPIs prominently displayed
- Campaign and strategy highlights
- Relevant tools and platforms
Sample Structure:
- Professional Summary emphasizing results
- Core Competencies (Digital Marketing, Analytics, etc.)
- Work Experience with quantifiable achievements
- Education and Certifications
- Notable Campaigns or Projects
Registered Nurse Example
Key Features:
- Licenses and certifications prominently displayed
- Clinical experience detailed
- Specializations highlighted
- Continuing education included
Sample Structure:
- Professional Summary with specialization
- Licenses and Certifications
- Clinical Experience
- Education
- Continuing Education and Training
What Makes These Examples ATS-Friendly?
1. Proper Keyword Placement
Effective examples include keywords:
- In the professional summary
- Throughout work experience descriptions
- In the skills section
- Naturally integrated, not stuffed
2. Standard Formatting
All examples use:
- Simple, clean layouts
- Standard fonts and sizes
- Consistent formatting
- Text-based content (no images)
3. Clear Structure
Examples follow logical organization:
- Contact information at top
- Summary or objective
- Experience in reverse chronological order
- Education and skills clearly separated
Common Mistakes in Resume Examples
What to Avoid:
- ❌ Graphics, charts, or images
- ❌ Complex tables and columns
- ❌ Unusual fonts or formatting
- ❌ Headers and footers
- ❌ Text boxes and shapes
- ❌ Scanned PDFs (image-based)
What to Include:
- ✅ Simple, clean design
- ✅ Standard section headings
- ✅ Text-based PDF
- ✅ Consistent formatting
- ✅ Relevant keywords
- ✅ Quantifiable achievements
How to Use Resume Examples Effectively
1. Don't Copy Directly
Use examples as inspiration, not templates to copy:
- Adapt the structure to your experience
- Customize content for each application
- Include your unique achievements
- Tailor keywords to job descriptions
2. Match the Format to Your Industry
Different industries prefer different formats:
- Tech: Combination format with skills emphasis
- Finance: Chronological format, traditional
- Creative: Can be more flexible, but still ATS-friendly
- Healthcare: Chronological with certifications
3. Test Your Resume
Before submitting, test your resume:
- Copy content to plain text editor
- Check if formatting is preserved
- Verify keywords are present
- Use online ATS checkers
Using Our ATS-Friendly Templates
Our free resume builder offers ATS-friendly resume examples and templates that are:
- ✅ Pre-tested for ATS compatibility
- ✅ Professionally designed
- ✅ Easy to customize
- ✅ Available in multiple formats
- ✅ Free to use
All our templates follow ATS best practices:
- Simple, clean formatting
- Standard section headings
- Proper keyword placement
- Text-based output
- Mobile-responsive design
Industry-Specific Examples
Technology
Tech resume examples should emphasize:
- Programming languages and frameworks
- Technical projects and achievements
- Relevant certifications (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
- Portfolio and GitHub links
Healthcare
Healthcare examples should highlight:
- Licenses and certifications
- Clinical experience and specializations
- Continuing education
- Patient care metrics
Finance
Finance examples should showcase:
- Relevant certifications (CFA, CPA, etc.)
- Quantifiable financial results
- Risk management experience
- Regulatory knowledge
Education
Education examples should include:
- Teaching certifications
- Classroom experience
- Curriculum development
- Student achievement metrics
Key Takeaways from ATS-Friendly Examples
- Simplicity Wins: Simple formatting beats complex designs for ATS
- Keywords Matter: Include relevant keywords from job descriptions
- Structure Counts: Use standard section headings
- Format Correctly: Use text-based PDFs, not scanned images
- Test Before Submitting: Verify ATS compatibility
Conclusion
ATS-friendly resume examples provide a blueprint for creating resumes that pass applicant tracking systems. By following these examples and using our ATS-optimized resume templates, you can significantly increase your chances of reaching human recruiters.
Remember: Your resume needs to work for both ATS systems and human readers. Start with ATS optimization, then ensure your content is compelling and well-written.
Ready to create your ATS-friendly resume? Browse our free resume templates - all tested for ATS compatibility. No credit card required.
For more resume writing tips and examples, visit our career blog.