ATS Resume Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before You Apply

Before you submit your next job application, run through this checklist. Each item takes less than a minute to verify. Together, they can mean the difference between your resume reaching a human or getting stuck in a digital filing cabinet.

Print this out. Bookmark it. Use it every time.

Format and Structure

1. Is your file saved as .docx or a standard PDF?

Why it matters: Some ATS platforms struggle with certain file types. Pages, .odt, image-based PDFs, and files created in design tools like Canva can cause parsing failures. The ATS can't read your resume if it can't open it properly.

How to check: Look at your file extension. If it's not .docx or .pdf, convert it. If it's a PDF, open it and try to select text. If you can't highlight words individually, the text might be embedded as an image.

How to fix: Create your resume in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Save as .docx for maximum compatibility. If the job specifically requests PDF, export to PDF from Word or Docs, not from a design tool.

2. Are you using a single-column layout?

Why it matters: Multi-column layouts confuse ATS parsers. The software reads left to right, top to bottom. With two columns, it may read across both columns on the same line, turning "Software Engineer | Skills: Python" into "Software Engineer Skills: Python", or worse, complete gibberish.

How to check: Look at your resume. Is there a sidebar? A skills column on the left? Two parallel sections? If yes, you have a multi-column layout.

How to fix: Move everything into a single column. Skills go in their own section, not a sidebar. It's less visually interesting, but it works.

3. Are you avoiding tables, text boxes, and images?

Why it matters: Tables are a common cause of parsing failures. Even if the table looks perfectly aligned in Word, the ATS may scramble the cell contents. Text boxes are often skipped entirely. Images (including logos and headshots) are invisible to text parsers.

How to check: Click around your resume in Word. If you see table gridlines, text box borders, or embedded images, those are potential problems.

How to fix: Replace tables with simple text formatted using tabs or line breaks. Remove text boxes and put the content directly in the document body. Delete all images, logos, and icons.

4. Are you using a standard, readable font?

Why it matters: Unusual or decorative fonts may not render correctly in all ATS platforms. Some systems substitute fonts, which can break your formatting. Others may fail to recognize characters entirely.

How to check: Look at your font choice. If it's anything other than the common professional fonts, consider switching.

How to fix: Use Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Times New Roman, or Helvetica. Size 10-12 for body text. These fonts are universally supported and easy to read on screen.

5. Are your section headings standard?

Why it matters: ATS platforms look for specific section labels to categorize your information. If you label your work history "Where I've Made an Impact" instead of "Experience" or "Work Experience," the system might not recognize it.

How to check: Review your section headings. Do they use conventional labels?

How to fix: Stick with these standard headings: Summary (or Professional Summary), Experience (or Work Experience), Education, Skills, Certifications. Save the creativity for your portfolio site.

Contact Information

6. Is your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn at the top of page one?

Why it matters: If a recruiter wants to contact you, they shouldn't have to search for your phone number. Some ATS platforms also pull contact info from the top of the document to populate your candidate profile.

How to check: Open your resume. Is your contact info the first thing you see? Is it in the document body, not in a header or footer?

How to fix: Put your full name on line one. Below it: phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn URL, and city/state (full street address is not necessary). Keep it in the body of the document, not in the header area.

7. Is your email address professional?

Why it matters: [email protected] tells a recruiter something about you, and it's not what you want them to know. This is a small thing, but it contributes to first impressions.

How to check: Look at your email address. Does it contain your name or some close variation?

How to fix: Use a simple format: [email protected] or [email protected]. Create a new one if needed. It takes two minutes.

Content

8. Do you have a 2-3 sentence summary with target role keywords?

Why it matters: Your summary is the first thing a recruiter reads after your name. It frames everything that follows. It's also a prime location for keywords that match the job description.

How to check: Does your resume start with a summary section? Is it 2-3 sentences? Does it mention the specific type of role you're targeting and your key qualifications?

How to fix: Write a summary using this formula: [Title] with [X years] experience in [skill area]. [Your best achievement with a number]. [What you bring to this role]. Tailor it for each application.

9. Does each job entry include company, title, dates, and achievement-based bullet points?

Why it matters: ATS platforms extract your work history into structured fields: employer name, job title, start date, end date. If any of these are missing or formatted inconsistently, the parsed result is incomplete. Bullet points with achievements (not just duties) are what make recruiters keep reading.

How to check: For each position, verify: company name, your title, start and end dates (month/year format), and 3-5 bullet points that describe what you accomplished, not just what you were responsible for.

How to fix: Use consistent date formatting throughout. "Jan 2022 - Present" or "01/2022 - Present", pick one and stick with it. Start every bullet point with an action verb. Include at least one number or measurable result per role.

10. Are your achievements quantified with numbers?

Why it matters: "Increased sales" is vague. "Increased sales by 35% over 12 months, generating $2.1M in new revenue" is specific and credible. Numbers make your claims verifiable and memorable.

How to check: Count the numbers in your bullet points. You should have at least one quantified achievement per role. Revenue, percentages, team sizes, time saved, costs reduced, projects delivered, anything measurable.

How to fix: For each bullet point, ask yourself: "How much? How many? How fast? Compared to what?" If you can add a number, add it. If you genuinely can't quantify something, make sure the result is still clear.

Skills and Keywords

11. Do you have a dedicated skills section with relevant technical and soft skills?

Why it matters: Many ATS platforms and recruiters scan the skills section specifically. It's a quick way to verify that you have the technical capabilities the role requires. It's also a natural place for keywords.

How to check: Is there a clearly labeled "Skills" section? Does it include both technical skills (tools, software, languages, methodologies) and relevant soft skills?

How to fix: Create a skills section near the top or bottom of your resume. List 8-15 relevant skills. Prioritize the ones mentioned in the job description. Don't list generic skills like "Microsoft Office" unless the job specifically asks for it.

12. Have you matched your keywords to the job description?

Why it matters: This is the single most impactful thing you can do for ATS compatibility. The system is looking for specific terms. If you don't use them, you don't match.

How to check: Open the job description side by side with your resume. Highlight key terms in the posting: required skills, tools, certifications, job-specific language. Now check how many of those terms appear in your resume.

How to fix: Naturally incorporate missing keywords into your summary, bullet points, and skills section. Don't force terms where they don't fit. But if the job says "agile methodology" and you've worked in agile environments, make sure those words appear on your resume.

You might also want to check out our article on the best ATS-friendly resume format.

Tools like Sira can automate this comparison and show you which keywords you're missing, which saves time when you're applying to multiple positions.

Education and Certifications

13. Is your education section complete with degree, school, and graduation year?

Why it matters: ATS platforms parse education into structured fields. If you list "B.S. Computer Science" without the school name or year, the system might not recognize it as a complete education entry. Some jobs have strict education requirements that are filtered automatically.

How to check: Does each education entry include the degree type, field of study, institution name, and graduation year (or expected graduation)?

How to fix: Format each entry consistently. Example: "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin, 2019." If you're still in school, write "Expected May 2026."

14. Are relevant certifications listed with their official names?

Why it matters: Certifications are often used as hard filters in ATS. If the job requires a PMP and you list "Project Management Professional" but not "PMP," the keyword filter might miss you. Use both the abbreviation and the full name.

How to check: Review the job posting for required or preferred certifications. Make sure yours are listed with the exact names and abbreviations used in your industry.

How to fix: Create a "Certifications" section or add them to your education section. Include the certification name, abbreviation, issuing organization, and year obtained. Example: "Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, 2023."

Final Checks

15. Is your resume 1-2 pages with a professional file name?

Why it matters: One page for early-career professionals (under 10 years). Two pages maximum for experienced professionals. Anything longer and recruiters won't read it. Your file name is the first thing a recruiter sees in their downloads folder.

How to check: Check your page count. Check your file name.

How to fix: If your resume is over two pages, cut the oldest or least relevant experience. Remove anything from more than 15 years ago unless it's directly relevant. Name your file "FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf" or "FirstName-LastName-[Role].pdf."

The Quick Version

For those who want the list without the explanations:

1. File format: .docx or standard PDF
2. Single-column layout
3. No tables, text boxes, or images
4. Standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
5. Standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
6. Contact info at the top of page one, in the document body
7. Professional email address
8. 2-3 sentence tailored summary
9. Each job: company, title, dates, achievement bullets
10. Numbers in your achievements
11. Dedicated skills section
12. Keywords matched to job description
13. Complete education entries
14. Certifications with official names
15. 1-2 pages, professional file name

We cover this in detail in our guide to how to use the right resume keywords.

If you pass all 15 checks, your resume is in good shape for ATS screening. If you want to verify automatically, Sira can run these checks against a specific job posting and flag what needs attention.

One More Thing

This checklist handles the ATS side of things. But remember that a human reads your resume after the ATS. Passing the automated screen is necessary but not sufficient.

For more on this topic, read our guide on resume formatting best practices for ATS.

Make sure your resume also tells a clear story about your career. Numbers, achievements, and relevant experience are what make recruiters pick up the phone. The checklist gets you through the gate. Your content gets you the interview.

Ready to improve your resume? Upload your resume to Sira and get it checked for ATS compatibility.