Resume ATS Format: Sabotaging Your Clients' Success?

The Applicant Tracking System: Friend or Foe?

The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is the gatekeeper standing between your clients and their dream jobs. As a resume writer, you already know that beating the ATS is paramount. But are you aware that the format of the resume is just as crucial as the content itself? Many talented professionals — even with expertly crafted resumes — get rejected simply because their formatting is incompatible with ATS software.

Why ATS Format Matters

First, understand that ATS software reads resumes. It doesn’t see them like a human recruiter. The system parses the resume, extracting keywords, skills, experience, and other relevant information to determine if a candidate is a match for a specific role. If the formatting is off, the ATS can’t accurately extract this information, leading to an automatic rejection — no matter how qualified your client is.

Common Formatting Mistakes That Break the ATS

• Tables and text boxes: Data inside them may be misread or ignored completely.
• Unusual fonts: ATS software often struggles with anything outside standard system fonts.
• Headers and footers: Critical information placed here is usually skipped.
• Excessive graphics or icons: Visually appealing for humans, but invisible to ATS parsing.
• Columns: Can create parsing errors, depending on how the software reads the document.

The Ideal ATS Resume Format

The most reliable format is clean and parsable:

• Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Avoid tables, text boxes, and decorative graphics.
• Organise content with clear headings and bullet points.
• Keep structure simple — single-column layouts are safest.

Remember: the resume must be both human-readable and ATS-friendly.

How TPR+ Helps You Win

This is where TPR+ comes in. We understand the challenges resume writers face. Instead of forcing you into generic templates, we let you insert your own branded resume templates into our system — for free. You maintain full control of your IP while ensuring every document is ATS-optimised.

Unlike a “free resume builder” that churns out cookie-cutter designs, TPR+ acts as the ATS-formatting bodyguard for your branded templates. You get the best of both worlds: polished, professional resumes that reflect your brand, while guaranteeing your clients’ resumes sail through ATS parsing.

The Cost of Ignoring ATS

Stop leaving your clients’ careers — and your business — to chance. Poor formatting can cost your clients interviews, and it can cost you money. By not streamlining your workflow, you could be losing $20k to $50k per year in missed opportunities. On top of that, hours lost to manual revisions contribute to burnout and reduce the time you have with your family.

Your Secret Weapon

Embrace ATS-friendly formatting practices and leverage TPR+ to safeguard your clients’ resumes and grow your business. Fast, professional, branded, and ATS-ready — TPR+ is your secret weapon to reclaim your time, protect your IP, and scale without burnout.