Resume Templates That Applicant Tracking Systems Can Read
A good resume template does two jobs: it looks clean to a person and it parses correctly for software. Resume AI Builder includes ATS-friendly templates you fill in through an AI chat, then export as a PDF. This guide explains how to choose the right layout and what to avoid.
Download Free →How to choose a resume template
Start with your situation, not with the prettiest design.
| Your situation | Best layout | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steady career in one field | Reverse-chronological | Recruiters expect it and it shows growth clearly. |
| Student or first job | Simple one-page with education near the top | Your education, projects and activities carry the page. |
| Changing careers | Combination: skills summary, then history | Puts transferable skills first without hiding your timeline. |
| Applying through an online portal | Plain single-column | Parsing reliability matters more than style. |
What makes a template ATS-friendly
- Single column. Side-by-side columns can be read in the wrong order.
- Standard headings such as Experience, Education and Skills, so the system can sort your content.
- Real text, not images. Text in graphics, icons or skill bars is often invisible to parsers.
- Common fonts and simple bullets, with contact details in the body rather than a header or footer.
- PDF with selectable text, not a scanned image.
Our ATS-friendly resume template guide goes deeper, and the ATS resume guide covers the full ruleset.
The sections every template should include
- Contact information: name, phone, professional email, city and state, and a LinkedIn link if useful.
- Professional summary: two or three lines on who you are and what you deliver.
- Experience: job title, employer, dates and results-focused bullets.
- Skills: tools and abilities that match the job post.
- Education and certifications.
Using the templates in Resume AI Builder
Resume AI Builder includes ATS-friendly templates tested against common applicant tracking systems. You don't fill in boxes on a template. You chat with the AI about your experience, it writes the content, and your resume appears in the template you choose. You can switch templates without retyping.
The app runs on iOS, Android and macOS and exports a PDF. Start with the free resume builder or read how the AI resume builder writes your bullet points.
Template mistakes that cost interviews
- Picking a creative design for a role that is screened by software.
- Cramming to fit more by shrinking the font below 10 pt.
- Using a photo in the US. Employers generally prefer that you leave it out.
- Leaving template placeholder text in the final file.
Frequently asked questions
Which resume template is best?
For most applicants, a single-column reverse-chronological template is the safest. It is the easiest for both recruiters and software to read.
Are creative resume templates bad?
Not always. They can suit design roles when you send the file to a person. For online portals that use an ATS, plain layouts parse more reliably.
Can I download a Word or Google Docs template?
Resume AI Builder is an app that exports PDFs. It does not currently provide Word or Google Docs files.
How long should a resume be?
One page for most people with under ten years of experience. Two pages is fine for longer careers.