ATS Resume Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before Applying
Before submitting any application, running through a short checklist catches most of the common mistakes that quietly tank ATS compatibility — worth the two minutes every time.
Formatting checks
Single-column layout, no tables or text boxes, no embedded graphics for key info, standard section headers, and a standard font at 10-12pt. Contact info sits in the main body, not a header or footer.
Content checks
Job description keywords are reflected naturally in your bullets and skills section, dates are in a consistent format throughout, and each bullet starts with a strong action verb rather than a passive phrase.
File checks
Saved as PDF or DOCX depending on the posting's stated preference, filename is professional (not "resume_final_v3"), and the file opens correctly and displays as expected when reopened.
Length and structure checks
One page for under 5-7 years of experience, two pages beyond that. Sections appear in a logical order: contact, summary, experience, education, skills — not scrambled or reordered without reason.
Final scan
Read the whole resume once for typos, once for consistency (tense, formatting, punctuation), and once as if you were the recruiter skimming for 7 seconds — does the most important information stand out immediately? If yes, it's ready to send.