Parsing & Formatting3 min read

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.

SectionRecognized HeadingsAvoid These
Work HistoryWork Experience, Professional Experience, ExperienceCareer Path, My Journey, Where I've Been
EducationEducation, Academic Background, Educational QualificationsLearning, Academic Journey, Schooling
SkillsSkills, Technical Skills, Core Competencies, Key SkillsToolbox, What I Know, My Arsenal
SummaryProfessional Summary, Summary, ProfileAbout Me, Who I Am, My Story
CertificationsCertifications, Licenses, CredentialsBadges, Achievements, Qualifications
ProjectsProjects, Key Projects, Selected ProjectsMy 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

1

Use standard, recognized heading names from the ATS dictionary—no creative alternatives

2

Format all headings identically: same size, same style (bold/caps), same spacing

3

Use heading formatting (bold, caps, larger size) to differentiate from body text

4

Keep to one level of headings for main sections—use bold labels for subsections

5

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Should headings be bold, CAPS, or both?
Any of these works—the key is consistency. Bold headings are the most common. ALL CAPS headings are also well-recognized. Bold + CAPS is fine too. Just ensure every section heading uses the same format throughout your resume.
What font size should headings be?
Section headings should be 12-16pt, at least 2pt larger than your body text. This size difference helps the parser identify them as structural elements rather than content.
Can I add icons or decorations to headings?
Icons next to headings are invisible to ATS parsers. They won't help or hurt parsing, but they add no value for ATS. If you include them for human readers, ensure the heading text itself is standard and parseable.

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