📋 In this guide:
1. What ATS Software Actually Looks For
ATS doesn't read your resume like a human. It parses your CV as raw text and then scores it against a checklist. Understanding this is the key to writing an ATS-friendly resume.
Keyword match
Does your resume contain the specific words and phrases from the job description? This is weighted most heavily.
Section recognition
Can the ATS identify your Work Experience, Education, and Skills sections? Non-standard headings confuse parsers.
Parsability
Can the ATS extract your text cleanly? Tables, columns, and graphics often prevent text from being read.
Chronology
Are your jobs and degrees listed with clear dates? ATS checks for career gaps and experience length.
Content quality signals
Does your experience section use action verbs? Are there measurable achievements? These affect ranking score.
2. ATS Resume Dos and Don'ts
3. The Right ATS-Friendly Format
Layout
Single column only. No sidebars, no two-column layouts, no headers/footers with important content. Everything in one straight column from top to bottom.
Font
Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Helvetica. Size 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for your name. No icons or symbols in critical sections.
File format
PDF is standard and preferred. Make sure it is text-based (you can select and copy text from it). DOCX also works. Never use JPG, PNG, or scanned PDFs.
Length
1 page for 0-3 years experience. 2 pages for 3-10 years. Never more than 2 pages for most roles. ATS does not penalise length, but human reviewers do.
Margins & spacing
1 inch margins all around. Standard line spacing (1.15 or 1.5). Consistent formatting throughout — same bullet style, same date format, same heading style.
4. How to Write Each Section
This is the first section ATS scans. Write a focused summary that includes your job title, years of experience, key skills, and what you bring to the role. Include 3-4 keywords from the job description naturally.
✅ GOOD EXAMPLE:
"Results-driven Data Analyst with 4 years of experience in SQL, Python, and Power BI. Proven track record of building dashboards and reporting systems that improved business decision-making. Experienced in ETL pipelines, data modeling, and stakeholder reporting across BFSI and e-commerce domains."
❌ BAD EXAMPLE:
"Seeking a challenging role in a dynamic organization where I can utilize my skills and grow professionally."
List your jobs in reverse chronological order. For each role, include: Company name, Job title, Dates (Month Year – Month Year), and 4-6 bullet points using action verbs + measurable results.
✅ GOOD EXAMPLE:
"• Developed and maintained 15+ Power BI dashboards tracking sales KPIs for 3 business units, reducing manual reporting time by 60% • Wrote complex SQL queries to extract and transform data from PostgreSQL databases for monthly executive reports"
❌ BAD EXAMPLE:
"• Responsible for creating reports • Worked with the data team • Handled various tasks as assigned"
List your technical skills clearly. ATS scans this section heavily. Use the exact terms from job descriptions — not abbreviations or informal names.
✅ GOOD EXAMPLE:
"Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, Excel (Advanced), Pandas, NumPy, MySQL, PostgreSQL, ETL, Data Modeling, DAX, Power Query"
❌ BAD EXAMPLE:
"Good with computers, Excel, some Python, data tools"
Include your degree name, institution, year of passing, and percentage/CGPA. ATS looks for specific degree keywords. Write the full degree name — B.Tech, B.E., MBA, MCA — not abbreviations alone.
✅ GOOD EXAMPLE:
"Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) — Computer Science Engineering ABC Institute of Technology, Pune | 2022 | CGPA: 8.2/10"
❌ BAD EXAMPLE:
"B.Tech CSE — ABC College, 2022"
Include relevant certifications with the full name, issuing organization, and year. ATS specifically scans for certification keywords in IT roles.
✅ GOOD EXAMPLE:
"AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | Amazon Web Services | 2025 Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Google | 2024"
❌ BAD EXAMPLE:
"AWS cert, few online courses"
5. How to Find and Use the Right Keywords
Keywords are the single biggest factor in your ATS score. Here's the exact process:
Copy the job description
Take the full job description of the role you're applying for and paste it into a document.
Identify required skills and tools
Look for technical skills, tools, methodologies, and qualifications mentioned. These are your target keywords.
Check what's in your CV
Compare those keywords against your current CV. Make a list of what's missing.
Add keywords naturally
Add missing keywords to your Skills section and weave them into your Work Experience bullets where they genuinely apply. Never keyword-stuff or lie.
Use exact terms
If the JD says 'Power BI', write 'Power BI' — not 'PowerBI' or 'MS Power BI'. ATS often does exact string matching.
6. How to Check If Your Resume Is ATS-Friendly
After writing or updating your resume, check your ATS score before submitting to any job. This takes 30 seconds and tells you exactly where you stand.
Check your ATS score free at scoremycv.in
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Target a score of 80+ before submitting. If your score is below 80, use the missing keywords list in your report to make targeted improvements. If you score below 60, consider getting your CV professionally rewritten — it's faster and more reliable than trying to fix a low-scoring CV manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does ATS work differently for different companies in India?
A: The specific ATS software varies (TCS uses iCIMS, Infosys uses Workday, etc.) but the core principles are the same across all systems: keyword match, parsable format, complete sections, and standard structure. An ATS-optimised resume works across all platforms.
Q: Can I use a Naukri or LinkedIn resume template?
A: Naukri's own resume templates are designed for Naukri's internal ATS but may not work well with other ATS systems. LinkedIn's PDF export is generally ATS-friendly. Canva templates are almost always ATS-unfriendly due to their graphic-heavy format.
Q: Should I include a photo on my Indian resume?
A: Avoid photos on resumes for most IT and MNC roles — ATS cannot process images, and photos can actually trigger bias-related filtering at some international companies. A photo takes up space that should have keywords.
Q: Is it okay to use the same resume for all IT companies?
A: Only if you're applying for the exact same role everywhere. If you're applying for both Data Analyst and Business Analyst roles, maintain separate CVs. The keyword sets are different enough to significantly impact your score.
Q: How often should I update my resume?
A: Update it every time you complete a significant project, learn a new tool, get a certification, or change jobs. Don't wait until you're actively job hunting — keeping your resume current means you're always ready.
Check If Your Resume Is ATS-Ready
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