How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume in Google Docs™ (and Beat AI Screening)

Did you know that up to 75% of resumes are rejected by an automated system before a human ever sees them? This system, the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), is the first hurdle in any modern job application. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly, it’s instantly filtered out.

This guide will teach you how to create a clean, professional resume in Google Docs™ that is designed to beat the ATS.

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What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by companies to manage job applications. It scans every resume, extracts key information, and organizes it for the recruiter. Recruiters then search this database using keywords to find the most qualified candidates. If the ATS can’t read your resume, you become invisible to the recruiter.

3 Common Mistakes That Make Your Resume Invisible

Avoid these critical errors to ensure your resume makes it past the initial AI scan.

Mistake #1: Multi-Column Layouts

ATS bots read text linearly, from left to right, top to bottom. A two-column layout can scramble your information. For example, the system might read a line from your ‘Skills’ column and a line from your ‘Experience’ column as a single, nonsensical sentence, causing your data to be parsed incorrectly or ignored completely.

Mistake #2: Non-Standard Section Headings

Using creative headings like “My Professional Journey” instead of the standard “Work Experience” can confuse the ATS. The system is programmed to look for conventional terms. Stick to universally recognized headings like:

• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Contact Information

Mistake #3: Missing Keywords

This is the most important mistake to avoid. Recruiters don’t read every resume; they search for them. If a job posting lists “Project Management” and “Data Analysis” as requirements, the recruiter will search for those exact terms. If those keywords aren’t present in your resume, you will not appear in their search results.

The Free & Simple Solution: The Right Template

You don’t need to buy a fancy template. Google Docs™ has a perfect, pre-built, ATS-friendly resume waiting for you.

1. Open the Template Gallery: In Google Docs™, navigate to File > New > From template gallery.

2. Find the ‘Spearmint’ Template: Scroll through the “Resumes” section and locate the template named Resume - Spearmint.

3. Create Your Resume: Click on the template to create a new, editable copy in your Google Drive.

This template is specifically designed to be easily read by an ATS because it uses a clean, single-column layout and standard formatting.

Pro Tip: Match the Exact Job Title

Look at the job title in the company’s posting (e.g., “Digital Marketing Specialist”). Use that exact title in your resume’s summary or headline. This creates an immediate, high-value keyword match for the ATS, significantly increasing your chances of getting noticed.

By avoiding these common pitfalls and using the right free tool, you can create a powerful resume that gets past the robots and into the hands of a human recruiter.

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Get the Add-On

Supercharge your Google Docs™ experience even further! If you work with tables and text frequently, our Add-On can save you countless hours.

Install the Text To Table Converter

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Next Step: Perfect Your Resume’s Formatting

Customize and Save Your Resume Styles Learn how to save your preferred font, color, and size settings as the permanent default for your resume template and all future documents.