What section headings do applicant tracking systems recognise best?

Plain, widely used headings are the safest choice: Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills and Certifications. Applicant tracking systems generally try to split a resume into sections so they can fill fields such as job history and education. Software is built and tested on common wording, so a familiar heading gives it the best chance of placing your content in the right field.

Safe headings for most resumes:

• Summary (or Professional Summary)
• Work Experience (or Experience)
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications, Projects, Languages, Volunteer Work

Products and employer settings differ, and nobody outside a vendor knows exactly how each one matches headings. That is why sticking to ordinary words is a low-risk habit: it costs you nothing, and it also helps the recruiter who reads the file. Save creative wording for your bullet points, where your achievements can stand out.