# How to beat ATS (applicant tracking systems)

> What ATS is, how it filters resumes, and what you can do to get past it.

By Aleksandr Kondaurov · Jun 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Tags: career
Series: Job-search guide · Part 5
URL: https://kondaurov.dev/blog/beat-ats/

## What is ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that companies use to manage job applications. Before a human ever sees your resume, ATS scans, parses, and ranks it.

**Over 90% of large companies use ATS.** If your resume doesn't pass the software, it doesn't reach a recruiter — no matter how qualified you are.

## How ATS filters work

ATS does three things with your resume:

1. **Parses** — extracts text and tries to identify sections (experience, education, skills)
2. **Matches** — compares your content against the job description keywords
3. **Ranks** — scores you relative to other applicants

The recruiter then sees a ranked list. They typically review the top 10-20%. Everyone else is invisible.

## What kills your resume in ATS

**Fancy formatting.** Columns, tables, graphics, icons, headers in images — ATS can't read these. Your beautifully designed resume becomes garbled text.

**Wrong file format.** Some ATS struggle with anything other than .pdf or .docx. Avoid .pages, .odt, or image-based PDFs (scanned documents).

**Missing keywords.** If the job says "React" and you wrote "modern JavaScript frameworks," ATS might not make the connection. It's matching strings, not understanding context.

**Non-standard section headers.** "Where I've Been" instead of "Experience." "My Toolbox" instead of "Skills." ATS looks for standard headings.

## How to optimize for ATS

### Use the job description as your keyword source

Read the job posting carefully. Identify:

- **Required skills** — list them in your Skills section using the exact same terms
- **Job title** — if they say "Software Engineer" and you wrote "Developer," add their version too
- **Technologies** — spell them the way the posting does (React.js vs React vs ReactJS — use their version)

### Keep formatting simple

- Single column layout
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Standard section headers: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
- No tables, text boxes, or columns
- No images or icons

### Use a clean PDF

A well-structured PDF with real text (not scanned image) works with virtually every ATS.

### Don't keyword-stuff

ATS systems (and recruiters) can detect keyword stuffing — listing every technology you've ever heard of, or hiding white text on white background. This gets you rejected faster than missing keywords.

**Only include skills you can actually discuss in an interview.**

## The real strategy

ATS is a filter, not a judge. Your goal isn't to "beat" it — it's to **not get filtered out.**

1. Match keywords from the job description
2. Use clean, simple formatting
3. Include a skills section with specific technologies
4. Use standard section headers
5. Submit as a clean PDF

Once you're past ATS, a human reads your resume. That's where [strong bullet points](/blog/resume-writing/#write-better-bullet-points) and [tailoring](/blog/tailoring/) matter.