How to Make an ATS-Friendly Designer Resume

Does your resume need a facelift? If you're struggling to make it both eye-catching and ATS-friendly, we're here to help. Many designers find this tricky, but don't worry - we've got your back!

Let's dive into what you need to get your resume noticed by hiring managers.

What is ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. Companies use ATS to sort and filter resumes. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never get seen by a human.

What Makes a Resume ATS-Friendly?

• Simple Layout: Use a clean, simple design without fancy graphics.
• Standard Fonts: Stick to fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Avoid Columns: ATS struggles with columns. Use a single-column format instead.
• Text Over Images: Keep important info in text form, not images.
• Use Headings Wisely: Clearly mark sections like “Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education.”
• Save as Word or PDF: These formats work best for ATS.

Steps to Update Your Resume in InDesign

1. Simplify the Design

Keep your design clean and straightforward. Avoid complex graphics and images. Focus on clear headings and sections.

2. Standardize Fonts

Use standard fonts. Avoid overly stylized or custom fonts that might not be recognized by ATS.

3. Avoid Columns

While a two-column layout can look stylish, it often confuses ATS. Stick to a single-column format to ensure your information is read correctly.

4. Proper Use of Headings

• Experience
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications

5. Emphasize Text Over Graphics

Important information should be in text form. Avoid placing text within images or graphics.

6. Test Your Resume

Before you send out your resume, test it with online ATS checkers. Websites like Jobscan.co can help you ensure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Designing Your Resume

Basic Template Layout

• Header: Your Name, Contact Info, LinkedIn/Website (optional)
• Experience: Job Title, Company Name, Dates Employed, Bullet Points on Achievements/Responsibilities
• Skills: List relevant skills in bullet points or short phrases.
• Education: School Name, Degree, Graduation Date
• Certifications: If applicable, name of Certification, Issuing Organization

Example:

---

John Doe

Email | Phone Number | LinkedIn/Website

---

Experience:

Graphic Designer
XYZ Company
Jan 2018 - Present
- Designed marketing materials.
- Improved UI/UX design by 30%.

Skills:

- Adobe InDesign
- HTML/CSS
- UX/UI Design

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
ABC University
Graduated: 2017

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Headers and Footers: Important info in headers/footers can be missed by ATS.
• Too Many Graphics: Avoid using too many images or graphics.
• Unstructured Text: Keep text well-structured with bullet points and clear headings.
• Fancy Fonts and Colors: Stick to plain text with a uniform style.

Additional Tips

• Keywords: Use keywords from the job description in your resume. ATS look for these keywords.
• Consistency: Ensure consistent formatting. Use the same style for dates and headings throughout.

Software Recommendations

• Microsoft Word: Most ATS can easily read Word documents.
• Google Docs: Easily accessible and ATS-friendly.
• Canva: Offers ATS-friendly templates if used with care.

Conclusion

Balancing a well-designed resume with ATS compatibility is critical in today's job market. Focus on creating a resume that is simple, clear, and easy for both ATS and human readers to understand. Use standard fonts, avoid complex layouts, and clearly label each section. Test your resume with an ATS checker before sending it out.

Good luck with your job hunt! Your perfect opportunity is just around the corner.