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Try freeFree ATS resume template
Instead of sifting through endless articles for that perfect free ATS resume template, let AI do the heavy lifting by offering tailored advice for your specific needs. What's more, you can chat with multiple AIs, asking follow-up questions to explore different angles and ultimately get the most comprehensive guidance possible.
Join 10,000+ analysts, marketers & other professionals
Ask questions like this to multiple AIs at once
Try freeFree ATS resume template
Instead of sifting through endless articles for that perfect free ATS resume template, let AI do the heavy lifting by offering tailored advice for your specific needs. What's more, you can chat with multiple AIs, asking follow-up questions to explore different angles and ultimately get the most comprehensive guidance possible.
Join 10,000+ analysts, marketers & other professionals
DeepSeek V3.2Free ATS resume template
Here's a copy-paste ready ATS resume template plus the exact steps to customize it for your industry.
The ATS-Friendly Template
Copy everything below into a blank Word/Google Doc. Use Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman 10-12pt. No tables, text boxes, or headers/footers.
[YOUR NAME]
[City, State] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn URL]
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[2-3 sentences incorporating your target job title and 2-3 key skills from the job description. Example: "Results-driven Marketing Specialist with 5+ years optimizing digital campaigns. Proven expertise in SEO, Google Analytics, and cross-functional team leadership driving 40% ROI improvement."]
CORE COMPETENCIES
• [Skill from job description] • [Skill from job description] • [Skill from job description]
• [Technical tool/software] • [Industry keyword] • [Certification relevant to role]
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
• [Action verb] + [what you did] + [metric/result]. Example: "Managed \$100K annual budget, reducing costs by 15% through vendor negotiations"
• [Responsibility directly from job description rewritten with your experience]
• [Quantified achievement using numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts]
• [Technical skill or software mentioned in target job posting]
[Previous Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
• [Bullet focusing on transferable skills relevant to new role]
• [Achievement with metric: "Spearheaded project delivering 3 weeks ahead of schedule"]
• [Leadership/teamwork example if applicable]
EDUCATION
[Degree] in [Major]
[University Name], [City, State] – [Graduation Year]
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
• [Certification Name] – [Issuing Organization], [Year]
• [Relevant Course/Training] – [Platform/Company], [Year]
Step-by-Step Customization Guide
Step 1: Decode the Job Description (5 minutes)
- Copy the job posting into a document
- Highlight every noun and verb in the "Requirements" section (e.g., "project management," "Salesforce," "cross-functional collaboration")
- Match 8-10 of these exact phrases in your "Core Competencies" and "Professional Summary" sections
Step 2: Bullet Point Formula
Use this structure for every bullet: [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Metric] + [Purpose/Result]
Weak: "Responsible for social media" ATS-Optimized: "Managed Instagram and LinkedIn campaigns, increasing engagement 45% and generating 200+ qualified leads quarterly"
Step 3: File Formatting Checklist
- Filename: FirstName_LastName_JobTitle.docx (never "Resume_Final_FINAL.pdf")
- Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around
- Length: 1 page (under 5 years exp.) or 2 pages max
- Spacing: Single space, double space between sections only
- Save as: .docx first (safest for ATS), .pdf only if specifically requested
Pro Tips to Beat the Bots
Avoid these ATS killers:
- Tables or columns (ATS reads left-to-right across entire page, garbling text)
- Headers/footers (contact info often gets stripped)
- Graphics, icons, or photos (ATS can't read them)
- Unusual section titles ("My Journey" → use "Professional Experience")
- Abbreviations without full spelling first (write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" then use SEO after)
Keyword Placement Strategy: Put the 3 most important job requirements in your first bullet point under current job. ATS algorithms weight recent experience heavier.
Free Alternative Resources
If you want pre-designed versions:
- Canva: Search "ATS resume" (avoid the creative layouts; pick the plain single-column ones)
- Resume Worded: Free ATS scanner to test your finished version
- Jobscan.co: Compare your resume against specific job descriptions (free tier available)
Quick Test: Copy your finished resume into a plain text editor (Notepad/TextEdit). If it looks garbled or out of order, the ATS will struggle too.
What would help you most right now?
- Are you targeting a specific industry (tech, healthcare, finance) where I can suggest targeted keywords?
- Do you have employment gaps or career changes that need special ATS-friendly formatting?
- Would you like me to review 3-4 bullet points from your current resume to optimize them for ATS scanning?
Share your target job title or paste a job description, and I'll help you identify the exact keywords to weave into this template.
Gemini 2.5 FlashFree ATS resume template
To create an ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System) resume, you need to prioritize readability over aesthetics. Most companies use software to scan resumes for keywords; if your resume has complex layouts, columns, or graphics, the software may fail to read it, and a human will never see your application.
Below is a text-based template you can copy and paste into Google Docs or Microsoft Word, followed by a step-by-step guide to making it successful.
Copy-Paste ATS Template
[YOUR FULL NAME] [City, State, Zip Code] | [Phone Number] [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile URL]
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY [2-3 sentences highlighting your years of experience, core expertise, and a major achievement. Use keywords found in the job description.]
CORE COMPETENCIES
- [Skill 1] • [Skill 2] • [Skill 3]
- [Skill 4] • [Skill 5] • [Skill 6]
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
[Current/Most Recent Job Title] | [Company Name] [Start Date] – [End Date or "Present"]
- [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Metric]. (e.g., Increased sales by 20% by implementing a new CRM tool.)
- [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Metric].
- [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Metric].
[Previous Job Title] | [Company Name] [Start Date] – [End Date]
- [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Metric].
- [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Metric].
EDUCATION
[Degree Name] | [University Name] [Graduation Year or Expected Graduation Date]
- [Optional: Honors, GPA (if above 3.5), or relevant coursework]
CERTIFICATIONS & PROJECTS
- [Certification Name], [Issuing Organization] – [Year]
- [Project Name]: [Brief 1-sentence description of what you did and the outcome.]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
To ensure your resume passes the "digital gatekeeper," follow these specific steps:
1. Formatting (The "Must-Dos")
- Margins: Set all margins to 1 inch.
- Font: Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia. Avoid fancy or custom fonts.
- Size: Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for your name and section headers.
- No Columns: ATS read from left to right. Avoid using two-column layouts, as the software often jumbles the text.
- No Graphics: Do not use images, charts, icons, or photos.
2. Optimize for Keywords
The ATS ranks you based on how well your resume matches the job description.
- Analyze the Job Post: Look for "Required Skills" or "Responsibilities." If they mention "Project Management" three times, make sure that exact phrase is in your resume.
- Standard Headers: Use simple headers like "Professional Experience" instead of "Where I've Been."
3. Quantify Your Achievements
Don't just list your duties; list your results.
- Weak: Managed a team and helped with sales.
- Strong (ATS-Friendly): Managed a team of 10 and increased quarterly sales revenue by 15% ($100k) through targeted lead generation.
4. Save as the Right File Type
- Unless the application specifically asks for a Word Doc (.docx), save your resume as a PDF. This preserves the formatting while remaining readable by modern ATS software.
Quick Checklist Before You Submit
- Did I remove all tables, text boxes, and images?
- Are my dates formatted consistently (e.g., MM/YYYY or Month YYYY)?
- Did I include the exact keywords found in the job description?
- Is my contact information at the very top (not hidden in a header/footer)?
To help me tailor this further for you:
- What specific industry or job title are you applying for?
- Do you have a specific "gap" in your employment or a career change you are trying to navigate?
- Would you like help writing a professional summary for a specific role?