Resume Heading Format for ATS: How to Format Section Headings
Section headings are the signposts that tell the ATS where each part of your resume begins and ends. The format, wording, and style of your headings directly impact how accurately the parser categorizes your information. Getting headings right is one of the simplest and most impactful ATS optimizations.
ATS-Recognized Heading Names
ATS parsers maintain dictionaries of recognized section headings and their common variations. Using a recognized heading guarantees correct section classification.
For work history, use: 'Work Experience,' 'Professional Experience,' 'Experience,' or 'Employment History.' For education: 'Education' or 'Academic Background.' For skills: 'Skills,' 'Technical Skills,' 'Core Competencies,' or 'Key Skills.' For your intro: 'Professional Summary,' 'Summary,' or 'Profile.'
Avoid creative headings like 'My Journey,' 'Toolbox,' 'What I Bring,' or 'Career Highlights.' These aren't in the ATS dictionary and may cause the parser to miscategorize content.
| Section | Recognized Headings | Avoid These |
|---|---|---|
| Work History | Work Experience, Professional Experience, Experience | Career Path, My Journey, Where I've Been |
| Education | Education, Academic Background, Educational Qualifications | Learning, Academic Journey, Schooling |
| Skills | Skills, Technical Skills, Core Competencies, Key Skills | Toolbox, What I Know, My Arsenal |
| Summary | Professional Summary, Summary, Profile | About Me, Who I Am, My Story |
| Certifications | Certifications, Licenses, Credentials | Badges, Achievements, Qualifications |
| Projects | Projects, Key Projects, Selected Projects | My Work, Things I Built, Portfolio |
Heading Formatting Styles
The visual formatting of headings helps the parser identify them as section markers rather than regular text. Effective heading formats include: ALL CAPS, Bold text, Larger font size (12-16pt), or combinations of these.
Consistency is critical—use the exact same formatting style for all section headings throughout your resume. If your first heading is bold and 14pt, every heading should be bold and 14pt. Inconsistent formatting confuses the parser's heading detection.
A subtle underline or bottom border beneath headings is ATS-safe and adds visual structure. However, avoid using horizontal rules or decorative lines that span the full page width, as these can sometimes interfere with parsing.
Heading Hierarchy and Subheadings
Most resumes need only one level of headings—the major section headings. Subheadings (like grouping experience by type or skills by category) should be formatted differently from main headings to avoid confusing the parser.
For subheadings, use bold text at the same size as body text rather than the larger size of main headings. This creates a visual distinction while keeping the parser focused on main section boundaries.
Avoid deeply nested heading structures. If you need to organize content within a section, use bold labels or categorized lists rather than multiple heading levels.
Pro Tips
Use standard, recognized heading names from the ATS dictionary—no creative alternatives
Format all headings identically: same size, same style (bold/caps), same spacing
Use heading formatting (bold, caps, larger size) to differentiate from body text
Keep to one level of headings for main sections—use bold labels for subsections
Add a consistent amount of space above each heading to signal section transitions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using creative heading names not in the ATS dictionary
Inconsistent heading formatting across sections
Formatting headings as images or text boxes that the parser can't detect
Using too many heading levels that confuse the parser's section detection

