How to Improve ATS Score: 15 Proven Ways to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

Are you applying for jobs but not getting interview calls even though you have the right skills? Your resume may be getting rejected before a recruiter even sees it.

Many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan, organize, and filter resumes during the hiring process. If your resume is difficult for an ATS to read or does not contain the right job-related information, it may receive less visibility during the recruitment process.

The good news is that you can improve your ATS resume score by using the right keywords, maintaining a clean resume format, highlighting relevant skills, and matching your resume with the job description.

In this guide, you'll learn how to improve ATS score, how ATS resume screening works, which resume keywords to use, common ATS mistakes, and how to create an ATS-friendly resume that is easier for both software and recruiters to understand.

What Is an ATS Resume?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System.

An ATS is software used by companies and recruiters to manage job applications. Depending on the system and employer workflow, it can help recruiters organize resumes, search candidate information, and identify applications that appear relevant to a particular position.

When you submit your resume online, the system may analyze information such as:

• Job titles

• Technical skills

• Education

• Work experience

• Certifications

• Keywords

• Resume sections

• Relevant qualifications

This is why simply having a beautiful resume is not always enough.

Your resume should be both professional for recruiters and readable by applicant tracking systems.

How to Improve ATS Score on Your Resume

1. Read the Job Description Carefully

The first step to improving your ATS score is understanding the job description.

Before editing your resume, identify:

• Required technical skills

• Preferred skills

• Job title

• Qualifications

• Tools and technologies

• Required experience

• Industry-specific terminology

• Important responsibilities

For example, suppose a company is hiring for a Junior Software Developer and mentions:

Java, SQL, Git, REST API, Spring Boot, Data Structures

If you genuinely have experience with these technologies, make sure they are clearly represented in your resume.

Don't copy the entire job description into your resume. Instead, naturally incorporate relevant qualifications that accurately describe your experience.

2. Use Relevant Resume Keywords

Keywords are one of the most important parts of an ATS-friendly resume.

If a job description repeatedly mentions a particular skill that you genuinely possess, that terminology can be useful to include in the appropriate resume sections.

For example, a software developer resume may contain keywords such as:

• Java

• Python

• C++

• JavaScript

• SQL

• React.js

• Node.js

• MongoDB

• REST API

• Git

• GitHub

• Data Structures

• Algorithms

• Object-Oriented Programming

• Software Development

• Problem Solving

However, don't add keywords just to increase your ATS score.

If you don't actually know a technology, don't put it on your resume.

Recruiters can ask about anything listed on your resume during an interview.

3. Use a Simple ATS-Friendly Resume Format

One of the easiest ways to improve resume compatibility with ATS software is to keep your formatting simple.

A good ATS-friendly resume generally uses:

• Clear headings

• Standard fonts

• Consistent spacing

• Simple bullet points

• Normal text formatting

• Logical section ordering

• Clear dates and job titles

Avoid unnecessarily complicated layouts.

For example, an ATS-friendly structure can be:

Name & Contact Information

Professional Summary

Technical Skills

Education

Experience / Internship

Projects

Certifications

Achievements

This structure makes your information easier to understand.

4. Avoid Excessive Graphics and Design Elements

A highly designed resume may look impressive visually, but complex designs can sometimes make information harder for resume-parsing software to interpret.

Avoid relying heavily on:

• Large graphics

• Text embedded inside images

• Decorative charts

• Excessive icons

• Complicated tables

• Multiple text boxes

• Unusual fonts

• Decorative headers

A clean and professional resume is usually a safer choice when ATS compatibility is important.

5. Match Your Resume With the Job Title

The job title is another important piece of information.

If you're applying for a:

Frontend Developer

your resume should clearly communicate your frontend development experience.

For example:

Frontend Developer with experience building responsive web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.js.

If you're applying for a:

Java Developer

your resume should emphasize relevant Java technologies, projects, databases, and development experience.

Don't change your job title dishonestly. Instead, make the role and experience you actually have clear.

6. Improve Your Professional Summary

Your professional summary should immediately communicate your value.

Avoid generic statements such as:

"I am a hardworking and dedicated person looking for an opportunity to grow."

Almost every candidate can write this.

Instead, focus on your actual skills and experience.

Example

MCA graduate with hands-on experience in Java, Python, SQL, React.js, and Node.js, with practical experience developing web and software projects. Strong understanding of object-oriented programming, databases, and problem-solving.

This gives recruiters more useful information in fewer words.

7. Optimize Your Technical Skills Section

Don't hide your important technical skills inside long paragraphs.

Create a dedicated skills section.

Example

Programming Languages:
Java, Python, C++, JavaScript

Web Technologies:
HTML, CSS, React.js, Node.js

Databases:
MySQL, MongoDB

Core Concepts:
Data Structures, Algorithms, OOP, DBMS

Tools:
Git, GitHub, VS Code

This format makes your technical profile easy to scan.

8. Add Relevant Projects

Projects are extremely valuable for students and freshers.

If you don't have much professional experience, your projects can demonstrate practical skills.

Instead of writing:

Expense Tracker

write something more informative:

Expense Tracker Web Application

• Developed a web application for tracking income and expenses.

• Implemented transaction management and expense categorization.

• Integrated MySQL for storing user and transaction data.

• Built the application using PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

This approach naturally includes relevant technical keywords while explaining what you actually built.

9. Quantify Your Achievements Whenever Possible

Numbers can make resume statements more specific and credible.

Instead of:

Improved application performance.

Try:

Reduced page loading time by approximately 30% through frontend optimization.

Instead of:

Worked on a team project.

Try:

Collaborated with a 4-member development team to build a full-stack web application.

Only use numbers that are accurate and that you can explain.

10. Use Standard Resume Section Headings

Don't make your resume unnecessarily creative with unusual section names.

Use headings that are easy to understand, such as:

• Summary

• Education

• Skills

• Experience

• Projects

• Certifications

• Achievements

Instead of creating a heading like:

"What I Bring to the Table"

use:

"Technical Skills"

Simple terminology makes the document easier to scan.

11. Don't Stuff Keywords Into Your Resume

One common misconception is:

More keywords = higher ATS score.

That's not a good strategy.

Keyword stuffing can make your resume unnatural and may hurt its quality.

For example, don't write:

Java Java Java Java Developer Java Java SQL Java Spring Java Developer...

Instead, describe your actual experience naturally:

Developed backend features using Java and Spring Boot and integrated REST APIs with a MySQL database.

This provides meaningful context.

12. Use the Right File Format

Follow the employer's instructions whenever a specific file format is requested.

If no format is specified, a properly generated PDF can be convenient for preserving visual formatting, while some application systems may specifically request DOCX.

The most important thing is that the submitted file should contain selectable, readable text rather than a screenshot of your resume.

13. Check Your Resume for Spelling and Grammar Errors

Even a technically strong resume can create a poor impression if it contains obvious mistakes.

Before submitting your resume, check:

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Company names

• Technology names

• Dates

• Phone number

• Email address

• LinkedIn URL

• GitHub URL

For example:

JavaScript is correct.

Writing Java Script may not communicate the same terminology as clearly.

Similarly:

MongoDB is correct.

Avoid inconsistent spellings throughout your resume.

14. Keep Your Resume Relevant

Your resume doesn't need to contain everything you've ever done.

Focus on information that supports the job you're applying for.

For a software developer position, relevant information might include:

• Programming languages

• Development frameworks

• Databases

• Software projects

• Internships

• Coding achievements

• Certifications

• GitHub projects

• Relevant coursework

Unrelated information can take valuable space away from your strongest qualifications.

15. Test Your Resume Before Applying

Before submitting your resume, perform a final ATS-readiness check.

Ask yourself:

Resume Content

• Does my resume match the job I'm applying for?

• Are my important technical skills clearly visible?

• Are my projects explained properly?

• Are my achievements specific?

ATS Compatibility

• Is the formatting simple?

• Are my section headings clear?

• Is the text selectable?

• Did I use relevant job-specific keywords?

• Did I avoid unnecessary graphics and text boxes?

Recruiter Readability

• Can someone understand my profile within a few seconds?

• Is my strongest experience easy to find?

• Are there any spelling mistakes?

• Are my links working?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, your resume is in a much stronger position.

Best ATS Resume Structure for Freshers

If you're a college student or fresher, you can use this structure:

1. Name and Contact Information

Include:

• Full name

• Phone number

• Professional email

• LinkedIn

• GitHub

• Portfolio, if relevant

2. Professional Summary

Write 2–3 concise lines describing your skills and career direction.

3. Technical Skills

Group your skills into logical categories.

4. Education

Mention:

• Degree

• College/University

• Graduation year

• Relevant academic information

5. Projects

Add 2–3 strong projects.

6. Internship or Experience

Include relevant experience if available.

7. Certifications

Add relevant certifications.

8. Achievements

Include hackathons, competitions, awards, or significant technical achievements.

ATS Resume Keywords for Freshers

If you're a fresher looking for software or technology jobs, some potentially relevant keywords include:

Programming:
Java, Python, C++, JavaScript

Web Development:
HTML, CSS, React.js, Node.js

Database:
MySQL, MongoDB, SQL

Core Concepts:
Data Structures, Algorithms, OOP, DBMS, Operating Systems

Development:
REST API, Git, GitHub, Software Development

Professional Skills:
Problem Solving, Team Collaboration, Communication, Analytical Thinking

Remember to include only the skills you actually understand.

ATS Score vs Resume Quality: What's More Important?

An ATS score should not become the only goal of resume optimization.

A resume should ultimately satisfy both the screening process and the human recruiter.

A resume with lots of keywords but weak project descriptions isn't necessarily a strong resume.

A better approach is:

Relevant Keywords + Clear Formatting + Strong Projects + Accurate Skills + Good Writing

Together, these elements create a stronger application.

Common ATS Resume Mistakes

Here are some mistakes that candidates should avoid:

❌ Using a resume screenshot

Text inside an image may not be parsed correctly.

❌ Adding fake skills

Never add technologies you don't know.

❌ Keyword stuffing

Use keywords naturally.

❌ Using complicated layouts

Keep your resume simple and readable.

❌ Writing generic summaries

Make your summary specific to your actual profile.

❌ Listing responsibilities without impact

Explain what you built, improved, or achieved.

❌ Sending the same resume everywhere

Customize your resume according to the role whenever possible.

How to Improve ATS Score: Quick Checklist

Before submitting your application, check these points:

• Read the complete job description

• Identify relevant keywords

• Match your genuine skills with the role

• Use a clean resume format

• Keep section headings clear

• Add relevant projects

• Highlight technical skills

• Improve your professional summary

• Remove unnecessary information

• Check spelling and grammar

• Verify contact information

• Test all professional links

• Follow the employer's file-format instructions

• Never add fake skills or achievements

Final Thoughts

Improving your ATS score is not about tricking an Applicant Tracking System. It's about making your resume clear, relevant, searchable, and easy to understand.

Start with the job description, identify the skills and qualifications the employer genuinely needs, and then present your own experience using accurate, relevant terminology.

For students and freshers, focus especially on technical skills, practical projects, internships, certifications, coding achievements, and problem-solving experience.

A strong ATS-friendly resume can help your application communicate its value more effectively, but remember that the final hiring decision depends on much more than a resume score.

Build your resume for the ATS, but write it for the human recruiter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good ATS score for a resume?

There is no universal ATS score that guarantees an interview because different ATS platforms and employers use different processes. Instead of focusing only on a number, make sure your resume is relevant to the job description and easy to parse.

How can I increase my ATS resume score?

Use relevant keywords from the job description when they accurately describe your skills, maintain a clean format, clearly list your experience and projects, and remove unnecessary design elements.

Is a 90+ ATS score necessary?

No. There is no universal "90+" threshold that guarantees a recruiter will contact you. Relevance to the specific position and the quality of your qualifications are more important than chasing a particular score.

Is Canva resume ATS-friendly?

Some Canva templates can work, but highly graphic-heavy designs may create parsing problems. A simple, text-based layout is generally a safer choice when ATS compatibility is important.

Should freshers focus on ATS resumes?

Yes. Freshers can benefit from an ATS-friendly resume because it helps present their education, technical skills, projects, internships, and certifications in a clear structure.

How many keywords should I add to my resume?

There is no ideal number. Use relevant keywords naturally where they accurately describe your qualifications. Avoid repeating keywords unnecessarily.

Secondary Keywords:

• ATS score

• improve ATS resume score

• ATS-friendly resume

• ATS resume

• ATS resume format

• ATS resume for freshers

• how to increase ATS score

• resume keywords

• ATS resume keywords

• resume optimization

• resume for freshers

• fresher resume

• resume tips for freshers

• ATS-friendly resume format

• resume score checker

• how ATS works

• applicant tracking system

• campus placement resume