ATS format resume: Template and tips for Applicant Tracking Systems
Job hunting in Malaysia can be tough. In 2023, 52% of Malaysians were out looking for work due to the shifting job market.
But what if your job application never even reaches a recruiter? Today, 75% of hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Your application may not reach a human manager unless it gets past an ATS. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, the system filters it out – no matter how qualified you are.
This guide is here to help you beat the bots. You’ll learn what ATS is, why it matters, and how to format your resume so it speaks to both machines and hiring managers. We also share ATS tips, examples, templates, and tools that can help you optimise your resume.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What are applicant tracking systems (ATS)?
- What are the sections of an ATS-friendly resume?
- How to optimise your resume for ATS
- ATS-friendly resume templates
- ATS-friendly resume examples
- How to use ATS resume checkers
- ATS resume errors to avoid
- Learning to balance ATS optimisation and human appeal for your resume
- FAQs
What are applicant tracking systems (ATS)?
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are software that helps companies sort through job applications. Screening happens before a human recruiter even sees the applications. It scans resumes and filters out candidates who don’t meet specific criteria listed in the job posting. These criteria can include education level, years of experience, and key skills.
Many large employers and multinational companies in Malaysia now use ATS in the hiring process. Globally, 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 70% of big businesses rely on it. The tough part? ATS systems reject 60% of resumes, often due to formatting errors or a lack of resume keywords.
These systems look for information such as:
- Degree level or certifications (e.g., diploma, degree, certifications)
- Minimum years of experience
- Relevant job titles and skills (e.g., software development, financial modelling)
- Keywords that match the job description
Updating your resume is a step in your job application checklist. If your resume doesn’t match what the ATS system is looking for, it won’t go through.
What are the sections of an ATS-friendly resume?
An ATS-formatted resume follows a clean, straightforward layout. Here’s what it should include.
- Contact information: Start with your full name, phone number, professional email address, and current location. Stick to the basics and avoid adding unnecessary links or graphics here.
- Professional summary or career goals: Write a resume summary that stands out to highlight your achievements, relevant experience, and top skills. Tailor this section to match the job you’re applying for.
- Work experience: Outline your work experience in your resume. List your roles in reverse chronological order. Include your job title, employer name, location, and employment dates. Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities, focusing on results where possible.
- Education: Know how to list education on your resume. Mention your degree(s), institution name(s), and graduation year(s). Don’t forget to add honours or distinctions if you have any.
- Skills: Include a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Use keywords from the job description to help your resume align with ATS filters.
- Certifications and additional training: Show you’re up to speed with industry standards. List certifications that relate to the job.
- Formatting and layout guidelines: ATS systems read resumes from top to bottom. They look for familiar headings and simple formatting.
Here’s how to make your resume format easy to scan:
- Use standard section titles like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education.”
- Avoid columns, graphics, images, or tables. These can confuse the ATS and scramble your content.
- Save your resume in an ATS-compatible format (e.g. .doc, .docx file, or a text-based PDF).
- Use simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Verdana – they’re easy on both ATS and human eyes.
- Spell out acronyms on first use (e.g., Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)), especially if the job ad uses the full term.
Balancing ATS optimisation with readability is key. You want your resume to get past the software, but you also want it to impress the recruiter who reads it next. Make it clean, relevant, and easy to follow in order to land that job interview.
How to optimise your resume for ATS
Here’s how to create an ATS-compliant resume that works:
1. Tailor your resume to each job application
Every role is different, so your resume should be, too. Study the job description and identify the keywords and phrases it emphasises. These phrases could be “market research,” “customer relationship management,” or “problem-solving.” Then, sprinkle these terms throughout your resume to show alignment with the role.
2. Use the right keywords strategically
Make a resume with strong keywords. Add job-specific keywords in your professional summary, work experience, and skills list. Instead of keyword stuffing, provide real examples of how you’ve applied those specific skills. For instance: “Conducted in-depth market research to support product launches.”
3. Stick to standard headings
Use familiar section titles: Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications. Creative headers like “Where I’ve Worked” may confuse the ATS, removing you from the shortlist.
4. Keep formatting simple and clean
ATS software can’t reliably read text in tables, columns, images, text boxes, headers, or footers. Stick to a basic, linear structure that flows from top to bottom. Left-align all your text and use standard bullet points for lists.
5. Choose ATS-friendly fonts
Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Verdana. Avoid decorative or script fonts that confuse the software and distract recruiters.
6. Organise content thoughtfully
Keep all essential details in the main body of your resume. These details include the job title, company name, dates, and your qualifications. Don’t hide this information in graphics or formatting elements – the ATS might skip them!
An ATS-friendly resume doesn’t have to be boring. There are ways to make an ATS resume stand out. It just needs to be clear, structured, and tailored.
ATS-friendly resume templates
An ATS-friendly resume template is a great starting point. It ensures your formatting is on point while giving you room to customise content.
Here are some free and premium resources to explore:
- Microsoft Office: Search for "ATS resume" in the template gallery.
- Canva: Try the "Visual Vibes" collection. Look for simple, clean layouts.
- ResumeWorded: Offers ATS-friendly resume templates designed for different career levels.
You can also follow these sample templates:
Template 1: ATS resume template for mid-level professional
Name: [Your Full Name]
Phone: [Your Contact Number]
Email: [Your Professional Email]
Location: [City, State]
Professional Summary: [2 to 3 sentences about your experience, key strengths, and the value you bring to the role]
For example:
- Experienced marketing executive with 6+ years in digital strategy and brand development
- Skilled in managing multi-platform campaigns and increasing audience engagement
Work Experience:
[Job Title | Company Name | Location | Month Year – Month Year]
[Achievement or responsibility #1]
[Achievement or responsibility #2]
[Achievement or responsibility #3]
[Previous Job Title | Previous Company | Location | Month Year – Month Year]
[Achievement or responsibility #1]
[Achievement or responsibility #2]
Education: [Degree Title | Institution Name | Year Graduated]
Skills:
[Skill #1]
[Skill #2]
[Skill #3]
Certifications:
[Relevant certification]
Template 2: ATS resume template for a fresh graduate
Name: [Your Full Name]
Phone: [Your Contact Number]
Email: [Your Professional Email]
Location: [City, State]
Objective: [1–2 sentences outlining your academic background and career goals]
For example:
- Recently graduated in Computer Science with practical experience through internships and academic projects. Seeking to contribute to a software development team in a dynamic company.
Education:
[Degree Title | University Name | Month Year – Month Year]
[Coursework or projects relevant to the job]
[Awards or academic achievements, if any]
Internship Experience:
[Intern Title | Company Name | Location | Month Year – Month Year]
[Responsibility or achievement #1]
[Responsibility or achievement #2]
Skills:
[Skill #1]
[Skill #2]
[Skill #3]
Extracurricular Activities:
[Club, role, and achievement if applicable]
ATS-friendly resume examples
Here are 2 examples to guide you:
Example 1: Experienced digital marketer
Name: Nur Aisyah Binti Mohd Faizal
Phone: 012-3456789
Email: [email protected]
Summary:
- Results-driven digital marketing professional with 6+ years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and social media marketing
- Proven ability to boost engagement by 40%
Work Experience:
Digital Marketing Manager | XYZ Agency | Kuala Lumpur | Jan 2019 – Present
- Increased organic web traffic by 60% through SEO strategy
- Managed paid campaigns across Facebook and Google Ads
Skills:
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Social Media Marketing
Google Analytics
Education: BA (Hons) in Marketing | Universiti Malaya | 2016
Why it works:
- Clean, single-column layout
- Bold section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
- Keywords like "social media marketing" and "analytics"
Example 2: Fresh Graduate (Computer Science)
Name: Tan Wei Jie
Summary: I recently graduated in Computer Science with hands-on experience in Java, Python, and web development through academic projects and internships.
Work Experience:
Intern | Software Solutions Sdn Bhd | May 2024 – Aug 2024
- Developed a web application using React.js and Firebase
Skills:
Software development
Problem-solving
Team collaboration
Why it works:
- Emphasises education and internships
- The skills section highlights software development, problem-solving
- Includes extracurricular activities and coursework
How to use ATS resume checkers
Want to test your resume before sending it? You can scan your resume through online tools called ATS resume checkers. These checkers give feedback on formatting, keyword usage, and job compatibility. They help you spot issues that could lead to your resume's rejection.
Many of these tools are free and accessible to Malaysian job seekers at all career stages. Here are some options to explore.
- Kickresume ATS Resume Checker: Runs 20+ checks on a resume’s structure, content, and design.
- Enhancv: Analyses 16 criteria, including layout, content, skills, and writing style.
- Resume Worded: Offers detailed feedback tailored to your experience level.
- SkillSyncer: Uses AI to match your resume against specific job descriptions.
- MyPerfectResume: Checks over 30 ATS-related factors to improve your document’s chances.
These tools can help increase your chances of moving forward. On average, only 15% of resumes make it past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager. That’s why it pays to test and refine your document before applying. But always review results with a critical eye. These tools are helpful, but human judgment is still key.
ATS resume errors to avoid
Here are 6 common mistakes that could sink your resume.
- Using non-standard fonts: Stick with Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Verdana. Decorative fonts may not render correctly, making your content unreadable to the system.
- Adding images, graphics, or charts: ATS systems can’t read them.
- Saving in the wrong format: Avoid image-based PDFs or unusual file types. Use .doc, .docx, or text-based PDFs.
- Leaving out relevant keywords: ATS scans for specific terms from the job description. Use terms from the job description naturally.
- Using acronyms only: Spell them out first.
- Keyword stuffing: Don’t overload your resume with keywords. It should still sound natural.
Learning to balance ATS optimisation and human appeal for your resume
Yes, you need to impress the bots – but don’t forget the humans. Optimising for ATS is just the first step. The second is crafting a clear message about your strengths, achievements, and job fit.
Use the tips, tools, and examples to guide you as you revise and improve your resume. Keep your resume clean, keyword-optimised, and easy to read. And stay informed about how ATS technology is evolving. Trends like AI-powered screening and candidate ranking are shaping the future of the recruitment process.
A well-optimised resume can get past the ATS system, bringing you a step closer to success in your job search. Start updating your resume today.
FAQs
- What percentage of companies use ATS?
About 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 70% of large organisations use an ATS for job applications. This shows the widespread use of ATS in today’s hiring landscape. If your resume doesn’t have ATS compatibility, it may never reach a human recruiter. - How do Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work in detail?
An ATS scans resumes to find keywords, qualifications, and formats that match the job ad. It scores and ranks applicants based on how closely their resume aligns with the role. Only the top matches can move forward to human review. - What are the most important elements of an ATS-friendly resume?
Apply a simple layout and clear headings. Use ATS-compatible formats such as .docx or text-based PDFs. You must include relevant keywords from the job description. These elements help your resume pass the automated screening. - How do ATS systems parse and analyse resumes?
An ATS software breaks a resume into sections: work experience, skills, and education. It pulls and compares the data with job requirements to determine your match. A well-structured resume makes this process easier and more accurate. - What are the best practices for keyword optimisation in ATS-friendly resumes?
Tailor each resume to the job description by using exact keywords and phrases. Add them naturally in your summary, experience, and skills sections. Avoid keyword stuffing – it makes your resume harder to read and can hurt your score. - Which fonts are most compatible with ATS systems?
Fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, and Verdana are the safest options. These fonts ensure your resume is easy to read by both ATS and hiring managers. Decorative or custom fonts can confuse the system and cause errors. - What are the top-rated ATS-friendly resume templates available online?
Microsoft Office, Canva, and Resume Worded all offer solid ATS-friendly templates. These layouts follow best practices for headings and formatting. They’re designed to pass automated scans and still look polished to humans. - How effective are ATS resume checkers in improving resume acceptance rates?
ATS resume checkers help you identify keyword gaps and formatting issues. Before hitting send on your job application, you can use these checkers to assess your resume. They offer personalised feedback that can boost your resume’s visibility. While not foolproof, they’re useful tools for fine-tuning your document. - What are the latest features in ATS resume-checking tools?
Modern tools now include AI-driven scoring, keyword tracking, and formatting advice. Some even compare your resume to specific job listings and suggest exact changes. These features help job seekers create more targeted applications. - What is the average rejection rate of resumes by ATS?
On average, ATS systems reject 60% of resumes due to poor formatting or a lack of keywords. This high rejection rate is proof that formatting and keyword use matter. A few simple tweaks can keep the ATS system from skipping your resume. - How can job seekers test if their resume is truly ATS-friendly?
You can use free tools like Resume Worded, Kickresume, or Enhancv to check if your resume is ATS-friendly. These tools highlight issues with structure, formatting, and keywords. Testing your resume before applying helps improve your chances. - What are the emerging trends in ATS technology that job seekers should be aware of?
ATS platforms now use AI to assess skills, rank candidates, and even predict job fit. Some systems look beyond keywords and check phrasing or behavioural cues. Stay current with these trends to stay competitive in a tech-driven job market.
