Your resume has two audiences: robots and real people. The trick? Formatting it so the bots don’t freak out, and the humans don’t fall asleep.
Most job seekers overcorrect in one direction. Either they use a pretty Canva template that ATS software chokes on, or they build a text wall so dry it could be mistaken for an IRS form.
You deserve better. Here’s how to format your resume so it survives ATS scans and still looks decent to the humans who matter.
1. Keep It Simple. No, Simpler Than That.
- Stick to basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
- Use standard section headers like “Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”
- Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, icons, or graphics (ATS can’t read them reliably)
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs. Nobody likes a resume novella
Pro move: Use Resume Markdown to format a clean, structured resume without fighting with Word or Google Docs.
2. Use a Consistent Layout
- Left-align everything. Don’t center your text like it’s a wedding invite.
- Dates should be consistently on the right. Month/year format is safest.
- Don’t get clever with whitespace, weird indents, or layout tricks. ATS hates flair.
3. Save It Right
- Use
.docxor.pdfonly if the PDF is text-based (not an image!) - Name your file something boring like
Firstname_Lastname_Resume_2025.docx - Avoid uploading from Canva or websites that export as image-based PDFs. ATS will just see blank space.
4. Skip the Fancy Stuff
The following things may look cute but are functionally cursed:
- Icons for contact info (the little phone emoji is not your friend)
- Bar graphs for skills (“98% Excel” is not a skill, it’s a vibe)
- Headshots, color blocks, or sidebars
When in doubt, choose function over aesthetics. If you need to scratch the design itch, do it on your personal website or portfolio. Not your resume.
5. Don’t Forget Humans Still Read This
- Start with your most relevant experience and make it easy to scan
- Use clear job titles and company names . Bold them for readability
- Group bullets by impact, not by duties
- Avoid buzzwords unless they’re part of the job description
TL;DR:
Formatting for ATS means playing by boring rules, but the payoff is real. Clean resumes get through. Messy ones don’t.
Want to double check your format before you apply? Run your resume through Resume Rank and see how it stacks up.
Formatting might not land you the job, but it can absolutely keep you from getting ghosted before you even get in the door.
Let’s not let a robot decide your future based on your choice of font.
