How to create an ATS-friendly resume
Many employers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to collect and search resumes. An ATS-friendly resume is simply one that software can read accurately and a recruiter can scan quickly.
- 1
Use one column and standard headings
Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Projects, Certifications.
- 2
Keep text as text
Don't put your name, contact details or skills inside images, icons, text boxes or headers.
- 3
Match the job honestly
Use the job title and skills from the job description only where they truly describe your experience.
- 4
Write achievement bullets
Action + Scope + Method + Result.“Built a Power BI dashboard used by 12 store managers to track weekly sales.”
- 5
Use consistent dates
Write every date the same way, such as “Jun 2023 – Present”.
- 6
Download both formats
A text-based PDF for most portals, and an editable Word (DOCX) file for portals that ask for it.
How to improve your existing resume
Choose Upload & Improve Resume and get an ATS-ready resume in minutes. Your file is read in your own browser.
- UploadA PDF, Word or text file, or paste your resume text.
- OrganiseYour details are sorted into standard ATS sections.
- StrengthenWeak openings like “Responsible for…” are fixed and dates made consistent.
- Review & downloadApprove each change, tailor it to a target role, then download.
Nothing is invented. The builder never adds jobs, qualifications, numbers or certifications you did not provide. Where a bullet needs a result, it shows a placeholder for you to fill in with a real figure.
Check your resume and write a cover letter
Preview how parsing software reads your resume
The ATS Check step is a learning tool: iGrow’s own parser re-reads your finished resume, the way resume-parsing software generally works, and shows whether your name, contact details, job entries, education, skills and dates come out cleanly. It is a simulation, not a test against any employer’s system — each employer configures its ATS differently. You also get general formatting tips for widely used systems such as:
- Workday
- Oracle Taleo
- iCIMS
- SAP SuccessFactors
- Greenhouse
- Lever
- Zoho Recruit
- Job portals
Create a matching cover letter
The Cover Letter step builds a letter from your own resume details, the company name and one honest reason you want to work there. Choose a tone, edit freely, and download it as PDF or Word.
- Professional
- Confident
- Enthusiastic
- Concise
Resume builder for students and freshers
No work experience yet? That's a perfectly normal place to start. Begin with a Career Objective, then add your education, projects, internships, certifications and achievements. The Fresher / Graduate template puts education and projects first, and guidance from the iGrow Career Library shows the skills employers commonly look for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to create an account?
Yes. Register and create an account with iGrow to create resumes. Once you are registered, enter the access code you receive from iGrow in the builder. Each code includes a set number of resumes, and editing or re-downloading the same resume is always free.
Is my resume data private?
Your resume is read, edited and downloaded in your own browser. If you use an access code, only the code and a random resume number (no resume content) are checked with iGrow’s server to count your resumes. Your resume text is sent only if you choose AI rewrite or ✨ Fix with AI and agree: it then goes through iGrow’s server to the AI service to create the suggestions, and is not stored. Drafts are saved only on your device, and you can turn this off or delete your data at any time.
Will my resume pass every ATS?
No tool can guarantee that, because employers configure their systems differently. The builder follows widely accepted ATS-friendly practices (single column, standard headings, real text) to reduce parsing problems.
What does the Resume Readiness Score mean?
It is an educational, rule-based check of completeness, clarity, evidence and formatting. It is not an official ATS score and does not predict interview selection. The builder shows exactly how each part is calculated.
Can I upload a scanned resume?
Scanned (image-only) PDFs can't be read, because the builder doesn't use OCR. Upload your Word file or a text-based PDF, or paste the text.
Which file should I send to employers — PDF or Word?
Send the PDF unless the employer or portal asks for Word. Keep the DOCX so you can edit it later.
Built with care by iGrow Success Masters Academy · Explore careers in the iGrow Career Library · Last updated: November 2026