ATS Formatting Mistakes in Resumes That Can Cost You — and How Novorésumé Helps You Fix Them

ATS Formatting Mistakes in Resumes That Can Cost You — and How Novorésumé Helps You Fix Them Your resume is more than simply a document in the competitive job market of today; it’s your online first impression. But many job hopefuls are unaware that human beings do not usually read resumes first. Most resumes pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is software that filters and ranks applications according to predetermined criteria, before they are seen by a recruiter. Employers can handle thousands of resumes more effectively thanks to this method, but it also means that even highly qualified applicants may be turned down for minor formatting mistakes.

Unfortunately, a lot of job searchers unintentionally commit important formatting errors in applicant tracking systems (ATS) that make it impossible for anybody to understand their resumes. Even if your skills are ideal for the position, some typical mistakes might cost you an interview, such as using photos and tables or sending resumes in the incorrect file format. The first step to creating a resume that passes the digital test and gets in front of actual recruiters is to understand how the applicant tracking system (ATS) operates.

One of the most reputable resume-building websites in the world, Novorésumé, can assist in this situation. Novorésumé, which was created with ATS compatibility in mind, guarantees that your resume will pass ATS scanners with ease and seem professional. This post will discuss the most common ATS formatting errors, their significance, and how Novorésumé offers clever, sophisticated fixes to make your resume both machine-readable and human-readable.

1. Using Headers and Footers for Key Information

One of the most frequent errors made by applicants is to include crucial information, such as contact information, in the header or footer. Your phone number or email address may never be recorded because the majority of ATS systems are unable to read content contained in headers or footers. Because of this, recruiters won’t be able to get in touch with you, even if you make the short list.

How Novorésumé Fixes It: Your contact information is automatically positioned in ATS-friendly areas inside the main content area thanks to Novorésumé’s templates. This guarantees that both ATS and recruiters accurately read all of the important information, including your name, contact information, and LinkedIn URL..

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2. Overusing Graphics, Tables, and Icons

To make their resumes more aesthetically pleasing, many job seekers include tables, charts, or logos. A human might find that impressive, but ATS scanners are unable to decipher visual cues. The system is frequently confused by a resume that is overflowing with icons, text boxes, and columns, leading it to misunderstand or completely ignore important areas.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Novorésumé’s The design engine of Novorésumé employs neat, organized layouts that strike a balance between originality and usefulness. In order to prevent interfering with ATS processing, its intelligent iconography are incorporated as text-friendly images. Additionally, the platform offers readability-optimized layouts that preserve style without compromising functionality.design engine uses clean, structured layouts that balance creativity and functionality. Its smart icons are embedded as text-friendly visuals, ensuring they don’t disrupt ATS parsing. The platform also provides templates optimized for readability — maintaining style without sacrificing performance.

3. Uploading Resumes in the Wrong File Format

A lot of applicants submit their resumes as complicatedly formatted PDFs or, worse, as pictures. But not all PDFs are made equal; some employ visual formatting that is incompatible with ATS software. For ATS, properly formatted.pdf or.docx files are the safest choices.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Novorésumé automatically exports resumes in ATS-optimized file formats. The platform ensures that your content, spacing, and fonts remain consistent while being fully readable by automated systems. You never have to worry about your resume being “invisible” to ATS software.

4. Using Fancy Fonts and Non-Standard Characters

Stylish fonts may make your resume stand out to you, but to an ATS, they’re unreadable code. Fonts like Brush Script, Papyrus, or Comic Sans might break the scanning process. Similarly, using symbols or emojis can confuse the software, leading to parsing errors.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Though they might stick out to you, fancy fonts are unintelligible code to an applicant tracking system. Fonts that break the scanning process include Comic Sans, Papyrus, and Brush Script. In a similar vein, utilizing emojis or symbols can cause confusion for the software and result in parsing issues.

5. Incorrect or Missing Keywords

Your resume may still be unsuccessful if it contains the incorrect keywords, even if it is attractively formatted. Role-specific phrases like “machine learning,” “customer retention,” or “JavaScript” are searched for by ATS software. Your resume might never reach a human reviewer if it lacks these.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Novorésumé helps users craft keyword-optimized resumes through guided content suggestions. Its smart AI features highlight relevant skills, keywords, and job titles based on your career field. This ensures that your resume aligns with what recruiters and ATS systems are actively searching for.

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6. Poor Section Order and Inconsistent Formatting

An ATS goes through resumes from top to bottom in a sequential manner. The ATS may misread your professional path if certain parts of your resume are arranged incorrectly (experience listed after hobbies, for example) or if your formatting is erratic (various fonts, alignment problems).

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Novorésumé offers pre-structured templates with a clear hierarchy — including headline, summary, experience, education, and skills. The drag-and-drop interface allows customization without breaking ATS compatibility. This ensures that both the ATS and recruiters can quickly identify your strengths.

7. Ignoring File Naming Conventions

Remarkably many applicants send in resumes with file names like “New.docx” or “Resume_Final_2.pdf.” Some applicant tracking systems use filenames to monitor candidates, even though it might not appear significant. Inadequate naming may result in omission or confusion.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
When you download a resume through Novorésumé, it automatically recommends professional file naming, such as John_Doe_Resume.pdf. This small but impactful detail helps you stand out as an organized and polished applicant.

8. Skipping the Professional Summary or Skills Section

ATS tools look for summaries and skill sections to categorize candidates. If your resume lacks these parts, you might not appear in recruiter searches, even with relevant experience.

How Novorésumé Fixes It:
Novorésumé provides pre-written summaries and skill suggestions tailored to various industries. You can customize these to highlight your unique achievements, ensuring both keyword optimization and human appeal.

Why ATS-Friendly Formatting Matters in 2025

Resumes that don’t follow ATS guidelines are automatically filtered out in the age of AI-powered hiring. Automated systems are now the main gatekeepers for the hundreds of resumes that recruiters get every day. An improperly structured resume might ruin your chances before you even start, even if you are a top applicant.

With Novorésumé, you create a visually appealing, content-rich, and ATS-approved career tool rather than just a resume. The platform guarantees that every format satisfies contemporary recruitment criteria, every part is positioned effectively, and every keyword is optimized.

Unique Value of Novorésumé

In contrast to conventional resume builders, Novorésumé prioritizes intelligence and design. It combines a user-friendly design with the latest research in resume building. Professionals from a variety of industries, including software engineers and marketing specialists, use the platform’s templates because they like the harmony between innovation and conformity.

In order to maintain consistency and professionalism in your application package, Novorésumé also offers cover letter templates. When used in tandem, these resources give you the confidence to tell your career story and guarantee that your documents pass all ATS checks.

Conclusion

Your dream job shouldn’t be lost in translation between your resume and an algorithm. By understanding common ATS formatting mistakes and using intelligent tools like Novorésumé, you can ensure that your hard work, experience, and skills are recognized — not rejected.

In a world where first impressions are digital, your resume must speak fluently to both humans and machines. Novorésumé bridges that gap — helping you stand out in the stack and land interviews that matter.