Perfect ATS-Friendly Resume: Read This First

The Right Format

Length: 1-2 pages maximum (1 page for entry-level, 2 pages for experienced professionals)
Layout: Single column design with clear, consistent formatting
Fonts: Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12pt size)
File Format: PDF or DOCX - both are ATS-friendly when properly formatted
Margins: 0.5-1 inch margins on all sides for optimal readability

Standard Sections & Correct Sequence

1. Header: Name, phone, email, LinkedIn, location (city, state/country)
2. Professional Summary: 2-4 lines highlighting your value proposition
3. Key Skills: Relevant technical and soft skills for the role
4. Professional Experience: Work history in reverse chronological order
5. Education: Degrees, certifications, relevant coursework
6. Additional Sections: Projects, Awards, Certifications (if relevant)

Why ATS Compliance Matters

What to AVOID:

Images, photos, or graphics (including profile pictures)
Tables, text boxes, or complex formatting
Fancy icons, symbols, or decorative elements
Headers/footers with important information
Multiple columns or unusual layouts

Why it matters: 75% of resumes are filtered by ATS software before human review. Non-compliant resumes get automatically rejected.

Using AI the Right Way

Important: We do NOT recommend using AI 100% to write resumes. Instead, use our PromptMyResume (Free Resume & Cover Letter Builder) as a tool to help generate tailored ideas for:

Professional summary variations
Industry-specific skills recommendations
Achievement bullet point structures
Cover letter templates and ideas

Best Practice: Take the most relevant AI-generated points and edit them in your own words to reflect your actual experience and achievements.

ATS Acceptance Guidelines

Keywords: Include job-relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume
Date Format: Use MMM YYYY format (e.g., "Jan 2020 - Mar 2023")
Quantified Achievements: Include numbers, percentages, and metrics wherever possible
Clear Section Labels: Use standard headings like "Experience," "Education," "Skills"
Job Titles: Use industry-standard job titles when possible

International Requirements

No Photos: Never include personal photos (illegal in many countries)
No Personal Data: Avoid age, marital status, nationality, or religion
Grammar & Spelling: Ensure perfect grammar - use tools like Grammarly
LinkedIn Link: Include clickable LinkedIn profile URL
Location Format: City, State/Province, Country (if applying internationally)

Writing Major Achievements

Formula: Action Verb + Scope/Context + Tool/Method + Metric/Result

Examples:

"Led cross-functional team of 8 using Agile methodology, resulting in 40% faster project delivery"
"Implemented data analytics strategy with Google Analytics, improving campaign ROI by 65%"
"Managed $500K annual budget across 5 marketing channels, generating $2M+ in revenue"

Action Verbs to Use: Led, Managed, Implemented, Developed, Increased, Reduced, Optimized, Achieved, Created, Improved

Specialized Resume Templates by Career Stage & Industry

Freelance Resumes

Showcase your diverse project portfolio and client success stories:

Project Portfolio Section
Client Testimonials
Hourly/Project Rates
Multiple Skill Categories
Availability & Location
Online Portfolio Links

Human Resources Resumes

Highlight your people management and organizational expertise:

HR Metrics & KPIs
Employee Relations
Recruitment Success
Training & Development
Compliance & Policies
HRIS Software Skills

Job Seekers Resumes

Perfect for career changers and those re-entering the workforce:

Transferable Skills Focus
Career Change Narrative
Volunteer Experience
Professional Development
Skills-Based Format
Career Objective

Fresh Graduates Resumes

Emphasize education, internships, and potential over experience:

Education-First Layout
Internship Experience
Academic Projects
Relevant Coursework
Extracurricular Activities
GPA (if 3.5+)

Professional Resumes

For experienced professionals seeking advancement or new opportunities:

Executive Summary
Career Progression
Leadership Experience
Industry Recognition
Professional Associations
Continuing Education

Senior Managers Resumes

Showcase strategic leadership and organizational impact:

P&L Responsibility
Team Size & Budget
Strategic Initiatives
Business Growth
Change Management
Board Presentations

IT Experts Resumes

Technical depth with business impact for IT professionals:

Technical Stack Details
System Architecture
Security Expertise
Cloud Platforms
DevOps & Automation
Incident Resolution

Sample Resume Preview

Important: This resume contains dummy data for reference purposes only. Replace all information with your actual details before use.

Sarah Johnson

sarah.johnson@email.com (555) 123-4567 New York, NY linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson

Professional Summary

Results-driven Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience developing and executing comprehensive digital marketing strategies. Proven track record of increasing brand awareness by 150% and generating $2M+ in revenue through data-driven campaigns.

Professional Experience

Senior Marketing Manager

TechCorp Solutions | 2021 - Present

Led cross-functional team of 8 to develop integrated marketing campaigns, resulting in 40% increase in lead generation
Implemented data analytics strategy that improved campaign ROI by 65%
Managed $500K annual marketing budget across digital and traditional channels

Marketing Specialist

Key Skills

Digital Marketing Google Analytics SEO/SEM Social Media Marketing Content Strategy Email Marketing Adobe Creative Suite Project Management

This template contains sample data only - customize with your real information

Download DOCX Format Word Document - Easy to Edit

Resume Samples Gallery