Guide to Resume Section Titles ATS Understand

Greenhouse describes resume parsing as importing information into candidate-profile fields. Its support documentation explains that an unsuccessful parse can leave the resume attached while requiring manual entry of the candidate’s details. A parsing problem therefore does not, by itself, demonstrate that an application was rejected.

Clear headings are a practical starting point, but review the information actually imported by the application system. If a field is missing or incorrect and the form allows editing, correct it before submitting. Do not infer a universal ATS score or an interview probability from the result.

The vendor reference and the limits of this guidance are listed at the end of the article.

Use headings that describe the information below them. These are suggested labels, not a mandatory vocabulary for every ATS.

• Contact Information: Put your name and contact details at the top in ordinary document text. A separate heading is optional.
• Professional Summary: Use a short introduction when it adds useful context about your background and target role.
• Work Experience: Professional Experience or Employment History are also clear labels. Include accurate job titles, employers, and dates.
• Education: List relevant qualifications and institutions.
• Skills or Technical Skills: Include skills you can demonstrate and explain.
• Certifications and Licenses: Identify the credential and issuer accurately. Include status or dates when relevant.
• Projects, Publications, or Volunteer Experience: Add only the sections that help explain your fit.

You do not need every section. Choose the structure that presents your actual background clearly.

A separate section is useful when its contents deserve attention and would be difficult to find elsewhere. An early-career candidate might emphasize relevant projects; a researcher might need publications; a career changer might include volunteer work.

Avoid repeating the same list under multiple headings. A short, specific section is more useful than several nearly identical categories.

The following example shows a change in labels only. It is hypothetical and does not report a customer’s parsing score or interview outcome.

Keep the underlying facts unchanged. Do not add skills you do not have, change employment dates, or invent accomplishments to match a job description. The aim is to make the existing information easier to locate.

1. 1Read the employer’s instructions for accepted file types and size limits. Follow those instructions first.
2. 2Open the exported document and check that the text can be selected and copied in a sensible order. This is a basic inspection, not proof of compatibility with every system.
3. 3If you use a resume checker, review individual findings against your document. Treat its score as feedback from that tool, not the employer’s decision.
4. 4When an application imports your resume, review names, contact details, employers, roles, and dates. Correct editable fields where needed.
5. 5If parsing fails, follow the application’s instructions or contact its support channel. Avoid submitting duplicate applications merely to compare formatting.
6. 6Keep a copy of the final file and the job description so you can review what you submitted.

Resumize’s analyzer offers feedback on your resume. It does not reproduce every employer’s ATS, reveal a private ranking, or predict whether you will receive an interview.

Greenhouse lists unclear sections, columns, complex tables, graphics, and contact details placed in headers, footers, or text boxes among potential parsing problems. It notes that formatting issues may produce a partial parse that needs correction. Those are documented risks for that product, not proof that every system fails on the same layouts.

For a straightforward application resume, start with a simple reading order, visible section headings, and consistent dates. Keep important information in ordinary text. Inspect the exported file, because the editing view and the final PDF may differ. A portfolio can carry more elaborate design when it serves a different purpose.

Role-specific headings can be useful when they accurately describe the content. Teaching Experience, Research Experience, or Relevant Projects can help readers navigate a specialized background.

After editing, check that each section has a distinct purpose and that the most relevant evidence is easy to find.

Vendor reference: Greenhouse Support, “Unsuccessful resume parse,” updated March 2, 2026.

This source supports the Greenhouse-specific descriptions above. The suggested headings and hypothetical examples are editorial guidance, not a controlled ATS experiment or verified customer study. Application behavior varies by product and employer configuration; review the instructions and imported fields for the application you are using.