Best ATS Resume Template for 2025

An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software that automates and manages parts of the hiring process. This includes posting job descriptions, receiving applications, and parsing resumes and cover letters to detect potential candidates.

All job applicants must consider the ATS resume scanning process because it is increasingly common. Job recruiters and hiring managers use applicant tracking systems to save time filtering out unqualified candidates or irrelevant applications.

When an ATS scans a resume, it looks for predetermined criteria based on certain keywords or phrases in the job description. Then it ranks resumes based on the number of criteria met.

Resumes with the most criteria are given more attention than those with less. Resumes that do not meet a bare minimum of criteria are excluded from consideration.

If you do not make your resume ATS-friendly, and the ATS cannot read it or detect enough keywords, you could be rejected, even if you have the skills and experience for the job.

An ATS-friendly resume template is any resume formatted to be scannable by an applicant tracking system. This means the resume needs to present information in a way that the ATS expects, such as providing specific headings, text with job description buzzwords, and a compatible file format.

The best way to get your resume passed by an ATS is to use a template and follow best practices. Best practices for an ATS resume include:

• Using a DOC file when possible, PDF when necessary.
• Removing any graphics or images.
• Using the reverse chronological resume format.
• Using bullets to provide detail.
• Providing standard headings for sections, such as “work experience”.
• Using keywords from the job description.
• Providing numeric quantifiable data.
• Using the date format mm/yyyy or [month] [year], such as “07/2025” or “July 2025”.
• Clarifying acronyms and abbreviations.
• Using a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman.

The best format for ATS is the reverse chronological resume. This is because the structure emphasizes work experience, which is what most recruiters and hiring managers are interested in. Therefore, most ATS expect the work experience section of a resume to be found at a certain point with bulleted information for each job title.

Word (DOC) files are better for ATS because most systems can parse through the document a lot easier than a PDF. However, it is good practice to have both DOC and PDF versions of your resume in case an application requests a specific file format.

It is not guaranteed that all Google Docs and Microsoft Word resume templates will be ATS-friendly because it depends on how the document is formatted and saved. For example, templates containing graphics that are saved as images may not be read by the ATS.

Graphics and images are not recommended for making an ATS-friendly resume. This is because a graphic or image may contain additional data that the ATS cannot scan, resulting in computation errors.

Yes, an ATS also scans cover letters. This means you need to be just as focused on writing an ATS-friendly cover letter as much as an ATS-friendly resume. Similar guidelines need to be followed, including:

• Proper file format.
• No graphics or images.
• Keywords from the job description.

Check out ourfree cover letter templates, oruse our cover letter builder to ensure your application is ready for any ATS!