ATS Optimization: Making Your Resume Work Smarter
If you’ve spent any time researching resumes, you’ve probably seen warnings about the “mysterious ATS” (the Applicant Tracking System) that supposedly rejects resumes before a human ever reads them. Some of that advice is helpful, but much of it is outdated or exaggerated.
The truth? Modern ATS software has evolved significantly. It doesn’t “toss” your resume for using color or formatting. Instead, it’s a powerful organizational tool used by recruiters to manage high volumes of applicants, scanning, sorting, and ranking resumes based on relevance. Understanding how it really works can help you design a resume that performs well both in technology and in human hands.
As a professional resume writer in Nashville, TN, I focus on creating resumes that look sharp, read naturally, and align with how today’s hiring systems and people actually operate.
What the ATS Really Does
Applicant Tracking Systems are designed to help recruiters:
Parse information (extract your name, contact info, and experience into a database)
Match keywords from your resume to the job description
Score and organize applicants based on relevance
That means your goal isn’t to “trick” the ATS, it’s to make your resume clear, structured, and aligned with the language employers use.
How Modern ATS Technology Has Evolved
Older systems struggled with nontraditional layouts, tables, or PDFs. But today’s leading software, such as Workday, Lever, Greenhouse, and iCIMS, can read most modern, well-formatted resumes.
Still, simplicity wins. A few quick rules keep your resume reader-friendly for both machines and people:
Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Certifications, etc.).
Avoid embedding text in images or graphics; ATS systems can’t read them.
Stick with standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica.
Save your file as a PDF or Word document, depending on the application instructions.
The goal is compatibility, not minimalism. You can absolutely include tasteful design elements and white space as long as the text remains selectable and structured.
Keyword Relevance Still Matters
ATS platforms rely on keywords to determine fit, but they no longer count repetitions. They look for context in where and how a skill is used.
That’s why scattering keywords randomly at the bottom of your resume doesn’t help. Instead, naturally incorporate them into your:
Professional summary (e.g., “Strategic Operations Manager experienced in Lean process improvement and cost optimization.”)
Core Competencies (e.g., “Process Improvement, KPI Development, Vendor Relations, Budgeting & Forecasting”)
Experience Bullets (e.g., “Implemented a Six Sigma process improvement strategy that reduced cycle time by 18%.”)
If a recruiter searches for “process improvement,” your resume will surface — not because of keyword stuffing, but because you used the phrase meaningfully.
Formatting That Works With Both Systems
Modern ATS systems can interpret:
Bullet points
Bold text
Simple lines or shading
Basic two-column layouts (as long as text is selectable)
What they still can’t read effectively are complex text boxes, charts, and columns built with tables. If your resume template looks like a graphic design project, test it by copying and pasting the text into a blank Word document. If everything pastes in order, your file is likely ATS-friendly.
GEO Optimization: Don’t Forget Location
Many recruiters filter candidates by geography, especially for hybrid or in-office roles. Including your city and state (e.g., Nashville, TN) in your header or summary helps ensure your resume appears in location-based searches.
If you’re open to relocation or remote work, you can include that context: “Based in Nashville, open to nationwide or hybrid opportunities.”
The Human Element Still Wins
Even the best ATS score won’t guarantee an interview; that’s where your storytelling, structure, and tone make all the difference. Recruiters use ATS software to filter, but they still make decisions based on a human connection.
Your goal is twofold:
Make your resume easy for the system to read.
Make it impossible for a person to ignore once they do.
That means focusing on authenticity, clarity, and results rather than gimmicks or formatting tricks.
Final Thoughts
Today’s ATS technology is more innovative and more forgiving than most job seekers realize. Instead of fearing it, learn to write through it, using structure, keywords, and formatting that make your resume both machine-readable and human impactful.
If you’re unsure whether your resume is truly optimized for modern hiring systems, I can help. As a resume writer offering executive resume services, LinkedIn optimization, and interview coaching in Nashville, TN, and beyond, I design resumes that strike the right balance between design and data, helping professionals stand out in both digital and personal review.
You can click the link above to schedule a consultation.