Guide

How to Write a Resume That Passes the ATS

A step by step guide to writing a resume in 2026: format, sections, skills to include, and how to tailor it to each job description.

Short answer

Write a resume by choosing a simple one column format, adding contact details, a two line summary, your experience as results-focused bullets, education and a short skills list. Then tailor it to each job by mirroring the posting's real requirements and check it with an ATS resume checker before you apply.

Key facts

Length
1 page early career, 2 pages for most others
Core sections
Contact, Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
File type
Word .docx or text-based PDF
Free check
3 free checks a day with a free account, then $5 / 10 credits or $4.99/month for 50 checks.

Seven steps

  • Pick a single column layout with standard headings.
  • Add name, email, phone, city and a LinkedIn or profile link.
  • Write a two line summary that matches the role you want.
  • List experience newest first, three to five bullets per role, each with an action and a result.
  • Add education and certifications on one line each.
  • List the skills you can prove, using the posting's wording.
  • Run an ATS check against the job description and fix what it finds.

What skills to put on a resume

Lead with the hard skills the job asks for and you genuinely have: tools, languages, methods and certifications. Show the most important ones inside work bullets with numbers, for example "Cut ticket backlog 40% by automating Okta onboarding". Soft skills land better as evidence than as a list.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Photos, graphics and two column designs.
  • Hidden text or keyword stuffing; recruiters read the resume too.
  • Claiming skills or numbers you can't back up in an interview.

Check your resume against a real job, free.

Open the ATS resume checker

Questions

How long should a resume be?

One page if you have under about five years of experience, two pages for most others. Senior and technical roles can justify two full pages.

Should I use a resume builder or AI?

AI can help draft bullets, but always check every claim is true and tailor it to the job. An ATS checker then shows what is still missing.

How do I tailor my resume to a job?

Split the posting into must-haves and nice-to-haves, mirror the exact wording you honestly match, and show those skills in your work bullets.

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