How to Choose an ATS-Friendly Resume Template
Start with a layout that makes your experience easy to scan. Look for familiar section headings, readable type, consistent dates, and enough white space to separate each part of your resume. If you want to compare more styles first, browse all resume templates or learn how to choose a resume layout.
Choose a one-column template when you want the simplest reading order. A restrained two-column template can also work, but keep essential details such as your experience, education, and skills in clear text sections. Avoid putting important information only in graphics, icons, text boxes, headers, or footers.
The design should also fit your experience. A compact layout can help an experienced candidate organize a longer work history, while a more spacious layout can help a student or early-career candidate present projects, education, and skills clearly.
What Makes a Resume Template ATS-Friendly?
An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is software employers use to collect and organize applications. An ATS-friendly template uses a clear structure so the system—and the people reviewing your resume—can identify your information more easily.
Clear section headings
Use familiar labels such as Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Creative labels can make it harder for software and recruiters to understand where information belongs.
Readable text
Choose a professional font, a comfortable font size, and strong contrast. Keep key details as selectable text instead of embedding them in images.
Simple structure
Use consistent spacing and a logical reading order. Limit decorative graphics, text boxes, and complex tables that may separate details from their context.
Job-relevant content
Tailor your resume to the role by describing relevant skills and accomplishments in natural language. Do not add keywords you cannot support with your experience.
How to Use and Submit an ATS-Friendly Resume Template
- Choose a layout. Preview the templates above and select one that gives your most relevant experience enough space.
- Customize your content. Build and customize your resume with your own experience, skills, education, and measurable results.
- Check the reading order. Make sure headings, job titles, employers, dates, and bullet points appear in a logical sequence.
- Tailor the resume to the job. Reflect the role’s requirements accurately and prioritize the qualifications you can demonstrate.
- Follow the employer’s file instructions. Submit PDF or DOCX based on what the application requests. If no format is specified, review the uploaded document before submitting to confirm the text and layout appear correctly.
Before you apply, check your resume for structure and clarity, then compare your resume with a job description to see where your experience aligns with the role.
Start with a free Teal account. Some resume templates are included free, while others require Teal+. Check the current plan details before choosing a design.
