An ATS-Readable Resume Format, and Why You Should Avoid Tables

Admin Loy · 2026-10-27 · job-search

A resume that looks great to people may not parse in an ATS. See a safe layout, standard headings, fonts and file types, plus a simple test to check your resume reads correctly.

You spent a whole night on a two-column resume with neat phone and email icons and a skills table with proficiency bars. You sent it to several companies and heard nothing. The problem may not be your qualifications. Some companies use an ATS to extract data from resumes, and the system may not read a complex design completely.

What is an ATS and how does it read resumes?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, software HR teams use to receive, store and search applications. When you upload a file, the system converts your resume to text and splits it into fields such as name, experience, education and skills. Recruiters then search or filter candidates using those fields. If the conversion goes wrong, your experience may land in the wrong field or disappear. ATS products vary in capability, so a file that is easy to read is the safest choice.

Why tables and columns cause problems

Reading order gets scrambled

Systems often read left to right, line by line. With two columns, text from the left and right may merge into one line, so a company name sticks to a skill name and nothing makes sense.

Text in tables and text boxes can drop out

Some systems skip text inside tables, text boxes, or page headers and footers. If your phone number sits in the header, the system may not see it at all.

Graphics in place of text cannot be read

Circle bars for English level, icons instead of the word email, or company logos cannot be read as text. Write words instead, for example English: can communicate in meetings and write emails.

A safe structure

Header: name, target role, phone, email, LinkedIn link as plain text in the main body, not in the page header
Summary: 2 to 3 lines
Work Experience: title, company, dates and achievement bullets
Education
Skills: a comma-separated list
Certifications or Projects if you have them

Use standard headings systems recognise, such as Work Experience, rather than creative ones like My Journey.

Small details that matter

Standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri or a Thai font like TH Sarabun New, at a readable size
One date format throughout, for example 03/2023 to 06/2025
Plain round bullets, no unusual symbols
Send a PDF created from Word or Google Docs, not a scanned or image-based PDF, unless the company asks for Word
Name the file clearly, for example Resume_FirstName_LastName.pdf

Extra care for Thai-language resumes

If you send a Thai resume, check that vowels and tone marks do not float or break when copied out, which can happen when fonts are not fully embedded. Use fonts installed as standard on most computers. If the company is international or the ad is in English, send an English version as the main file. Write tool and skill names such as SQL or SAP in English, as they appear in the ad.

A simple two-minute test

Open your PDF, select all text, copy it, and paste into Notepad or a blank note. If the text is in the right order, headings are complete, and your phone and email are there, most systems should read it. If text is scrambled, missing, or cannot be copied at all, fix the structure before sending.

A resume must pass two gates: first a machine that reads text, then a person who reads your story.

Does design still matter?

Yes, but use it where it does not interfere with reading: spacing between sections, bold job titles, thin divider lines. If you work in design, keep creative work in your portfolio and send an easy-to-read resume as the main file. When sending directly to a person by email or through a referral, you can attach a designed version as well.

How to start

Run the plain-text copy test on your current resume.
Move content out of tables, columns and text boxes into a single column.
Replace icons and proficiency bars with words.
Use standard headings and export a new PDF.
Check it again with Resume Lab.