When you search for “ATS resume template,” you’re usually greeted with two options:
- Something that looks like it was designed in MS Paint during a power outage
- Something so overdesigned it might crash your browser (and the ATS)
Neither will help you get hired.
Let’s fix that. Below are simple, scannable, actual resume templates.
What Makes a Resume Template “ATS-Friendly”?
Glad you asked. An ATS-friendly resume is:
- Text-based (not a bunch of images pretending to be a resume)
- Simple in structure (no tables, sidebars, or embedded fonts)
- Keyword-optimized (uses the language from the job description)
- Chronological or hybrid format (functional resumes = red flags)
If your resume template breaks any of those rules, it’s not ATS-friendly. It’s resume cosplay.
Template #1: The “Classic But Not Boring”
John Doe [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn.com/in/johndoe SUMMARY Detail-oriented operations specialist with 5+ years experience improving workflow efficiency and cross-functional collaboration in tech and logistics sectors. Passionate about building scalable systems that work. EXPERIENCE Operations Analyst — Acme Corp | New York, NY | Jan 2021 – Present - Improved inventory turnaround time by 28% through workflow automation - Managed 3 cross-departmental projects under budget and on deadline Operations Coordinator — WidgetCo | Remote | May 2018 – Dec 2020 - Created SOPs that reduced customer onboarding time by 40% - Supported the integration of new CRM platform across 5 teams EDUCATION BA, Business Administration — University of Somewhere, 2017 SKILLS Excel • SQL • Asana • Process Mapping • Communication
Copy and format with Resume Markdown
Template #2: The “Career Switcher”
Jane Smith [email protected] | (987) 654-3210 | Portfolio: janesmith.design SUMMARY Creative professional transitioning into UX Design with a background in marketing and user research. Trained in Figma, usability testing, and responsive web design. Excited to solve real-world problems through user-centered design. RELEVANT PROJECTS UX Redesign for Local Library App — Case Study - Conducted interviews with 8 users to identify pain points in navigation - Redesigned UI with low- and high-fidelity prototypes in Figma Content Strategist — Freelance | Remote | Jan 2019 – Present - Developed web copy and information architecture for 10+ client websites - Conducted user surveys to inform landing page A/B tests EDUCATION UX Design Certificate — Coursera x Google, 2024 BS, Communications — State University, 2018 SKILLS Figma • User Research • HTML/CSS • Copywriting • Empathy
Run through Resume Rank to test keyword alignment
Template #3: The “New Grad or No Experience”
Alex Rivera [email protected] | (000) 111-2222 | LinkedIn.com/in/alexrivera SUMMARY Recent graduate with strong organizational and problem-solving skills seeking entry-level role in data analytics. Eager to grow within a collaborative team and apply analytical tools to real business challenges. PROJECTS Capstone: Sales Forecasting with Python - Built a linear regression model to predict quarterly sales with 92% accuracy - Visualized insights using Matplotlib and Seaborn Part-Time Retail Associate — Big Box Store | June 2022 – Jan 2024 - Managed POS transactions and restocked merchandise daily - Recognized for customer service and upselling performance EDUCATION BS, Data Science — Local Tech College, 2024 SKILLS Python • Excel • SQL • Tableau • Time Management
Use Profile Spark to customize keywords to your target role
Common Template Traps to Avoid
Resume templates from Canva, Etsy, or “Pinterest for Professionals”
- ATS can’t parse them
- They often use invisible tables and embedded fonts
Graphs, icons, or skill bars
- ATS reads none of this, and humans don’t believe you’re “92% organized”
“Modern” templates that break traditional layout rules
- No recruiter wants to play resume Tetris
TL;DR:
Good resume templates don’t have to be ugly. But they do have to be boring enough for a bot.
Start with structure. Focus on content. Use tools that help you tweak without guessing:
- Resume Markdown → Build a clean resume fast
- Resume Rank → Make sure it’ll actually pass
- Profile Spark → Steal the keywords that matter
Because the best template is the one that gets seen. And no one sees a resume the ATS can’t read.
