An applicant tracking system does not hire you. It helps an employer organize applications and make them searchable. The best ATS-friendly resume is therefore not a document stuffed with keywords; it is a clear, conventional resume that software can parse and a recruiter can understand immediately.
Use standard section headings such as Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, and Projects. Keep essential contact details as normal text near the top. Avoid putting important information inside images, text boxes, headers, footers, or complex visual layouts, because different systems can read those elements inconsistently.
Match the language of the job description where it is truthful. If a role asks for TypeScript, REST APIs, and PostgreSQL, use those exact terms when they accurately describe your work. Do not add skills you do not have just to pass a filter. The goal is to help the right experience be found, not to create a mismatch that fails later in an interview.
Choose a readable template with a straightforward hierarchy. A single-column layout, standard fonts, clear dates, and short achievement-focused bullets are safe choices for most employers. Export to the file format requested in the application, and keep a current DOCX version because many systems handle it well.
Most importantly, optimize for the human after the parser. A recruiter should be able to tell what direction you are heading, what you have delivered, and why your background fits the role. Clear structure and specific evidence will outperform clever formatting every time.