ATS resume builder

ATS-Friendly Resume Builder

Write your resume in a single-column template with standard headings and real text, then check the plain text an applicant tracking system is likely to extract before you apply.

Start With ATS ClassicStart With ATS Modern

What makes a resume ATS-friendly

An applicant tracking system (ATS) stores applications and lets recruiters search them by keyword. It works from the text it extracts from your file, so columns, text boxes and headers can scramble or drop details that a person would read without trouble.

  • A single-column layout with a logical reading order
  • Standard headings: Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills
  • Real, selectable text, never text inside images
  • Job titles, employers and dates in a consistent format
  • Contact details in the main body, not in a page header
  • A text-based PDF or Word file

No resume builder can guarantee how a specific employer’s system will rank your application. What an ATS-friendly resume does is make sure your information is read correctly.

ATS-friendly templates

Four templates designed for applicant tracking systems

ATS-friendly templates prioritize simple structure and machine-readable text.

  • ATS Classic

    Traditional serif design with a centered header and full-width section rules. Safe for almost any application.

    Use ATS Classic

  • ATS Modern

    Clean sans-serif type with an accent-colored name and letterspaced headings.

    Use ATS Modern

  • ATS Compact

    A dense single column that fits more experience on one page.

    Use ATS Compact

  • Minimal

    Generous whitespace and quiet headings with no decoration.

    Use Minimal
Built-in checks

Test how your resume reads

  • ATS Text Preview

    See the plain text and reading order a system is likely to extract from your resume.

  • Resume completeness

    The ATS Resume Checker highlights missing contact details, a missing summary, long paragraphs and more.

  • Job description match

    The job description matcher shows which keywords from a posting already appear in your resume.

Frequently asked questions

Will an ATS-friendly resume get me more interviews?

It cannot guarantee interviews. It helps make sure your information is read correctly. The content, especially relevant experience and skills, is what matters most.

Can I add a photo to an ATS-friendly resume?

The ATS templates do not include a photo area, which suits countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom where photos are usually left off.

Should I download PDF or Word?

Follow the employer’s instructions. If none are given, the text-based PDF from the builder is a good default. See resume file formats.

Build your ATS-friendly resume now

Pick one of the four ATS-friendly templates and switch between them at any time without retyping. Free, with no signup.

Start With ATS ClassicView All Templates