Free ATS-Friendly Resume Template

Our most popular template, designed to pass any Applicant Tracking System

This template has been tested with major ATS platforms including Workday, Taleo, iCIMS, and Greenhouse. Features clean formatting, standard fonts, and proper section headers.

Download the free ATS-friendly template

ATS-friendly resume template preview - clean professional format

Template Specifications

  • Font: Calibri 11pt (easily parseable)
  • Layout: Single-column design
  • Margins: 1-inch on all sides
  • Size: US Letter (8.5" x 11")
  • Sections: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
  • Formats: DOCX, PDF available

Clean Layout

Single-column design with clear sections. No complex tables or graphics that confuse ATS.

Standard Fonts

Uses Calibri 11pt for body text. Easily readable by all ATS systems and hiring managers.

Proper Margins

1-inch margins on all sides. Standard US letter size (8.5" x 11"). Prints perfectly.

Standard Sections

Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills. All section headers are ATS-recognized.

Bullet-Friendly

Uses standard bullet points (•) that parse correctly. Avoids special characters.

Date Format

Consistent "Month Year" format (e.g., January 2024). ATS systems parse this reliably.

How to use this template

  1. 1
    Click "Use This Template" to open the editor with this template pre-loaded.
  2. 2
    Fill in your information in each section. Use the provided examples as guidance.
  3. 3
    Customize as needed - adjust sections, reorder items, but maintain the clean formatting.
  4. 4
    Download as DOCX or PDF when complete. DOCX is recommended for ATS compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit this template in Google Docs?

Yes. We provide both DOCX and Google Docs versions. Both maintain ATS-friendly formatting.

Is there a student version?

Yes. The education-first layout places Education before Experience, perfect for recent graduates.

Can I add a skills bar or icons?

Skip visual skill bars. Use text bullets for ATS compatibility. Icons do not parse well in most systems.

How should I format dates and locations?

Use consistent formats like "Jan 2024–Present" for dates and "London, UK" for locations. Consistency helps ATS parsing.

Will headers or footers break ATS parsing?

Keep important content in the main body. Some ATS systems ignore headers/footers. Your name should be in the body, not just the header.

Can I switch fonts?

Yes. Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Helvetica for best ATS compatibility.

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