How to Make a Resume with a High ATS Score
To make a resume with a high ATS score, you need to build it so a machine can read it easily and match it to the job description. That means simple formatting, standard section headings, and the exact keywords the company used in its posting. You don't need a perfect score; you need a resume that parses cleanly and shows you're a strong match.
Set Up the Format So the Software Can Read It
ATS software reads text, not design. If your resume has tables, columns, images, graphics, or unusual fonts, the software may skip or scramble parts of it. Keep everything in a single column, left-aligned, with black text on a white background.
Use a standard font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10 to 12 points. Save the file as a .docx or a text-based PDF, not a scanned image. Name the file clearly, like FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx, so it's easy to track.
Stick to common section headings: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Skills, Education, and Certifications. Avoid creative labels like "Career Journey" or "My Story." The software looks for predictable structure.
Match Your Words to the Job Description
The biggest factor in your ATS score is keyword matching. Read the job posting carefully and pull out the exact phrases it uses, like "project management," "budget oversight," or "cross-functional collaboration." Use those same phrases in your resume, in context, not just dumped in a list.
If the posting says "led cross-functional teams," write that instead of "managed diverse groups." Mirror the company's language. Spell out acronyms the first time you use them, like "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)," then you can use the short form afterward.
In your skills section, list 8 to 12 skills that appear in the job description. In your work experience, weave those same terms into your bullet points with action verbs and numbers. For example, instead of "improved sales," write "boosted sales through targeted campaigns." Metrics help both the software and the human reader see your impact.
Write for Humans Too
An ATS score gets you past the first filter, but a person still reads your resume. Keep each bullet point under two lines. Start with a strong action verb like "led," "built," "cut," or "launched." Quantify what you can: team size, budget, percentage improvement, time saved.
Tailor the resume for every application. A generic resume matches fewer keywords and reads as lazy. Spend a few minutes adjusting your summary and top bullets so they speak directly to the role. That small effort raises both your ATS match and your chances with the recruiter.
Proofread for typos and avoid special characters, symbols, or unusual punctuation. Run your resume through a free ATS checker or simply paste the text into a plain document to see how it parses. If the content reads clearly as plain text, the software will likely read it fine.
After you've made these changes, test your resume against a job description you plan to apply to. Tweak the keywords and wording until the match feels strong, then send it. If you want help building or fixing your resume, improving your LinkedIn profile, or preparing for interviews, Destava's AI career manager can handle those steps for you.