ATS Resume Guide: How to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems in Malaysia

You've spent hours perfecting your resume, but it never reaches human eyes. Why? Because an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) filtered it out before any recruiter saw it.

An ATS is software that scans, parses, and ranks resumes based on keywords, formatting, and relevance. Here's what happens to your resume:

1. 1Scanning: The ATS converts your resume from PDF/Word to plain text
2. 2Parsing: It extracts information like name, contact details, education, work experience, and skills
3. 3Keyword Matching: It compares your resume against the job description keywords
4. 4Scoring: You receive a match score (typically 0-100%)
5. 5Ranking: Only top-scoring candidates are shown to recruiters

Understanding which ATS systems Malaysian employers use helps you optimize your resume:

• JobStreet: Built-in ATS used by thousands of Malaysian companies
• LinkedIn Recruiter: Used by tech companies and startups
• Workday: Common in multinational corporations (Shell, Petronas, etc.)
• Taleo: Used by large enterprises and government-linked companies (GLCs)
• iCIMS: Growing adoption in Malaysia's tech sector

1. File Format Matters

Not all file formats are ATS-compatible. Here's what works:

2. Standard Section Headings

ATS systems are programmed to recognize standard section headings. Creative headings confuse the system.

3. Simple, Clean Formatting

Complex formatting elements break ATS parsing. Keep it simple:

What to AVOID:

• ❌ Tables and text boxes (ATS reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom - tables break this flow)
• ❌ Headers and footers (content here is often skipped)
• ❌ Multiple columns (confuses parsing order)
• ❌ Images, graphics, logos, or photos
• ❌ Fancy fonts (stick to Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia, Times New Roman)
• ❌ Special characters or symbols (★, →, •)
• ❌ Underlining or excessive bold/italics
• ❌ Text boxes or shape elements

What to USE:

• ✅ Standard bullet points (use simple dash - or asterisk *)
• ✅ Bold for section headings and job titles
• ✅ Simple date formats (Jan 2020 - Dec 2023)
• ✅ Clear spacing between sections
• ✅ Left-aligned text (avoid center or right alignment)
• ✅ Standard margins (0.5" to 1" on all sides)

4. Keyword Optimization

Keywords are the heart of ATS optimization. The system matches your resume against job description keywords.

How to find the right keywords:

1. 1Read the job description carefully (read it 3 times!)
2. 2Highlight required and preferred qualifications
3. 3Note specific skills, tools, and technologies mentioned
4. 4Look for repeated words or phrases
5. 5Check similar job postings from the same company

5. Strategic Keyword Placement

Where you place keywords matters. ATS gives more weight to keywords in certain sections:

• Skills section: Highest priority - create a dedicated skills section with relevant keywords
• Work experience: Include keywords naturally in your achievement descriptions
• Summary/Profile: Open with 2-3 key qualifications that match the job
• Job titles: Mirror the job title in your previous roles (if accurate)

6. Job Title Accuracy

Your job titles should match industry standards and the position you're applying for:

7. Dates and Formatting

Use consistent, ATS-readable date formats:

Here's the optimal structure for ATS compatibility:

1. 1Contact Information (at the top, not in header)
2. 2Professional Summary (2-3 sentences with key qualifications)
3. 3Skills (organized by category, using exact keywords from job description)
4. 4Work Experience (reverse chronological order, achievement-focused bullet points)
5. 5Education (degree, institution, graduation date, relevant coursework)
6. 6Certifications (optional, if relevant)
7. 7Languages (optional, common in Malaysian market)

Before submitting, test your resume's ATS compatibility:

The Copy-Paste Test

1. 1Copy all content from your resume
2. 2Paste it into Notepad or a plain text editor
3. 3Check if the content appears in the correct order
4. 4Look for any strange characters or broken formatting
5. 5Ensure all text is readable and properly structured

Online ATS Scanners

Use these free tools to test your resume:

• Jobscan.co - Compare your resume against specific job descriptions
• Resume Worded - Get ATS optimization suggestions
• TopResume ATS Checker - Free basic scan

• Using creative resume templates: Those beautiful templates from Canva or Pinterest often have tables, graphics, and complex layouts that break ATS
• Putting contact info in header/footer: ATS often skips these sections entirely
• Using acronyms without spelling them out: Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" not just "SEO"
• Listing skills in paragraph form: Use bullet points or comma-separated lists instead
• Using generic skills: "Microsoft Office" vs. "Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Macros)"

Different industries in Malaysia have different keyword priorities:

Tech & IT

• Specific programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Java, React, Node.js)
• Frameworks and tools (Angular, Vue, Docker, AWS)
• Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, DevOps)
• Certifications (AWS Certified, Google Cloud, CISSP)

Banking & Finance

• Financial analysis, Risk management, Compliance
• Software: SAP, Oracle, Bloomberg Terminal
• Certifications: CFA, ACCA, CIMA
• Regulations: BNM guidelines, Financial reporting standards

Marketing & Communications

• Digital marketing, Content marketing, SEO/SEM
• Tools: Google Analytics, Facebook Ads Manager, HubSpot
• Skills: Social media management, Campaign management
• Metrics: ROI, Conversion rates, Engagement metrics

Engineering

• Software: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MATLAB
• Standards: ISO, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing
• Certifications: PE (Professional Engineer), PMP
• Technical skills: CAD, FEA, Process optimization

Before submitting your resume, ensure:

• ☑️ Saved in .docx or .pdf format (created from Word/Google Docs, not scanned)
• ☑️ Used standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia)
• ☑️ No tables, text boxes, headers, or footers
• ☑️ Contact information in main body (not header)
• ☑️ Standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
• ☑️ Keywords from job description included naturally
• ☑️ Acronyms spelled out (at least on first use)
• ☑️ Simple bullet points (no special symbols)
• ☑️ Consistent date formatting
• ☑️ Job titles match industry standards
• ☑️ Passed the copy-paste test (readable in Notepad)
• ☑️ Scanned with online ATS checker (70%+ match score)
• ☑️ File name is professional: FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx

Stop worrying about ATS compatibility. Resumi's templates are:

• ✓ Pre-tested with major ATS systems (JobStreet, LinkedIn, Workday)
• ✓ Formatted for maximum keyword visibility
• ✓ Simple, clean designs that both ATS and recruiters love
• ✓ Automatically optimized for Malaysian job market
• ✓ Include achievement-focused templates proven to pass ATS

Don't let ATS be the reason you don't get interviews. Start building your ATS-friendly resume today!