ATS-Friendly Resume Templates: Free Downloads & Examples
I still remember when my cousin spent whole three hours making what she was calling "perfect resume". She had chosen a very beautiful template from a design website. It had many columns, wonderful colors and there were 'progress bars' to show skills and beautiful 'icons' beside every heading. She was feeling very happy and proud with it. She applied at 30 places, but she didn't get even a single call.
Then I showed her what ATS actually sees when it scans that beautiful resume of hers—a heap of disorderly words and numbers! Her name was missing, work experience had got upside down and half of her skills part was not even visible to system.
Then we changed her to a plain and ATS-friendly resume template. Capability was same, just format was plain—without any show-off. After that she applied at just 8 places and within two weeks she got 3 interview calls.
Then she understood that most 'beautiful' resume doesn't win, but that resume wins which system can read.
Today I'm going to give you such Free Resume Templates which actually go in sync with ATS system. No complicated design which fails, and no such formatting trick which becomes heavy on you. Just clean and professional templates, which will pass robots and reach recruiter's desk directly.
Why You Need ATS Resume Templates
Most people don't understand a basic thing about ATS Resume Templates: their purpose is not to look good, but to be 'readable'. Truth is that when you apply for a job online, your resume passes through a software before any human sees it. This software (Applicant Tracking System) tries to read your resume and extract information from it. Now think, if your resume is too much decorative or complicated, ATS gets confused. It doesn't understand where your work experience is written or what your skills are. Result? No matter how capable you are, system rejects you immediately.
This is why you need a resume template for ATS specifically designed to work with these systems.
Understand it like this: Will you ever send email to someone in such a font which his computer can't show? Obviously, no. Because nobody will be able to read it. Exactly this happens when you use some fancy resume which ATS can't 'parse'.
An excellent ATS Compliant Resume Template removes this problem from root:
- It uses very simple format which every ATS can read easily.
- All your information reaches in right sections.
- Your capability is clearly visible in company's system.
- And most important thing—you actually get shortlisted for that job.
Yes, it is not as 'glamorous' as those designer templates, but does it get you interview? Yes, absolutely!
Now it's your choice: Do you want a 'beautiful' looking resume which gets rejected, or a 'plain' resume which gets you job? I think this decision is not very difficult to make.
What Makes a Resume Template ATS Friendly
Software's perspective of an excellent ATS-friendly resume template is that one which has these qualities:
Structure & Layout
- Single column layout: This is critical. The one column resume ATS format is the safest because ATS reads from top to bottom. Two columns confuse the system.
- No use of text boxes: Text boxes are 'invisible' for ATS systems. Whatever you'll write inside text box, that won't be visible to software.
- Distance from tables: Tables cause resume layout for ATS problems. The ATS reads tables cell by cell, often in random order.
Content & Formatting
- Don't use image or graphics: ATS can't extract words from photos. If you've put your name or any skill in form of a photo, system will see just 'empty space'.
- Standard fonts: Always use Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Georgia. These fonts can be read easily on every system.
- Plain headings: Use words like 'Work Experience', 'Education', and 'Skills' only. Don't change headings to show something 'different'.
Simple formatting: Using Bold for highlighting is okay, but avoid Italics, Underlining and strange special characters as much as possible.
Contact details should be on main page: Never put your phone number or email in 'Header' or 'Footer'. Many ATS don't even read these parts.
When you see resume templates that pass ATS, they all follow these rules. No exceptions.
Simple Resume Format ATS (The Template Structure)
Let me walk you through the ideal simple resume format ATS structure from top to bottom.
Section 1: Contact Information
Keep this at top of your main document:
YOUR FULL NAME
City, State | Phone Number | Email Address | LinkedIn Profile URL
This should be completely clear and straight so that software identifies your information immediately.
Section 2: Professional Summary
This is a small introduction of 2-3 lines about who you are and what you can do:
This section gives you a chance to add necessary Keywords at start of resume itself.
Section 3: Skills
Make a plain list of your capability:
Skills:
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Excel
- Budget Planning
Here use Bullet Points and write one skill in every line. Don't forget to match words from job description.
Section 4: Work Experience
Job Title | Company's Name, City, State | Month Year – Month Year
- Describe what work you did there.
- Show any achievement or result in bullet point.
- Use necessary keywords related to work.
Section 5: Education
Name of degree | Name of school/college, City, State | Year of graduation
If your education is completed recently and you have very good GPA, you can add them here.
Section 6: Certifications
If you have any professional certificate, write it here with issuing institution and date.
This structure works because it's exactly what ATS systems are programmed to look for. When you use resume templates that pass ATS, they follow this exact format.
Where to Find Best ATS Friendly Resume Templates Free
If you're looking for best ATS Friendly Resume Templates free, you don't need to go anywhere else. Just go to these places, but be careful while choosing:
Google Docs Resume Templates
There are many free templates on Google Docs.
- What to choose: Options named "Simple" or "Professional".
- What to avoid: "Modern" or "Creative" level templates, because these often have ATS problems (like columns or text boxes).
- Advantage: These are already in such a format which works well online and you can easily download these in .docx.
Microsoft Word Built-In Templates
Open Word and search "Simple Resume" or "Professional Resume". MS Word has some basic Word resume template ATS options given already. Just remember to choose simplest looking template instead of fancy design.
Indeed Resume Builder
Indeed gives a free resume builder which automatically makes ATS compliant resume template. Its templates are specially made to pass ATS screening.
ResumeGenius Free Templates
They offer a few free basic templates that work well with ATS. The templates are tested and proven to parse correctly.
Novoresume Simple Templates
Their free tier includes one simple template that's completely ATS-friendly. Clean, professional, and works with every system.
Here's what to look for when choosing a free resume template for online ATS checker testing:
- Does it use a single column?
- Can you select and copy all the text easily?
- Does it use standard fonts?
- Are there any graphics or images?
- Does it have basic section headings?
The best template is the one that looks professional to humans but remains completely readable to ATS software.
Does ATS Read PDF Resume Templates
People always ask: does ATS read PDF resume templates? The answer is: it depends, but .docx is safer.
Modern ATS systems can usually read PDFs. But "usually" isn't good enough when you're applying for your dream job. Here's the reality:
- Some older ATS systems can't read PDFs at all. Your beautifully formatted PDF becomes a blank document in their system.
- Some ATS systems can read simple PDFs but struggle with PDFs created from design software or with complex formatting.
- Some companies specifically ask for Word resume template ATS formats (.docx) in their job posting.
My advice:
Unless the job posting specifically requests a PDF, use .docx format. If they do ask for a PDF, make sure it's a simple PDF created directly from Word or Google Docs. Don't use PDFs exported from design programs like Photoshop or Illustrator.
The goal isn't to find the "best" format. The goal is to use whatever format that specific company's ATS can read perfectly.
Simple Resume Template for ATS (Step-by-Step Creation)
Let me show you how to create your own simple resume template for ATS from scratch.
Step 1: Open a Blank Document
Start with Word or Google Docs. Blank document. No template. Choose a standard font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-11 point for body text.
Step 2: Add Your Contact Information
At the top, centered or left-aligned: YOUR NAME (16-18 point, bold) City, State | Phone | Email | LinkedIn. Keep it simple. One line or stacked vertically.
Step 3: Add Your Sections
Create clear section headings: PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY, SKILLS, WORK EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS. Make headings bold and slightly larger (12-13 point).
Step 4: Fill in Your Content
Under each section, add your information using simple bullet points. For work experience include Job Title, Company, Dates, and keyword-rich bullet points.
Step 5: Format Consistently
Make sure all your dates look the same (MM/YYYY). Use the same bullet point style throughout. Keep spacing consistent between sections.
Step 6: Save Properly
Save as: FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx. This gives you a professional ATS resume that any system can read perfectly.
The whole process takes about 30 minutes if you already have your content written. And you'll use this template for every application, just customizing the keywords for each job.
Resume Format ATS Accepts (Technical Requirements)
Let's get specific about resume format ATS accepts from a technical standpoint.
File Format Requirements
- Primary format: .docx (Microsoft Word 2007 or later)
- Acceptable alternative: Simple PDF (when specifically requested)
- Avoid: .pages, .odt, image files, .txt files
Font Requirements
- Acceptable fonts: Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman
- Font size: 10-12 point for body text, 14-18 point for your name
- Avoid: Script fonts, decorative fonts, unusual typefaces
Layout Requirements
- Columns: Single column only
- Margins: 0.5 to 1 inch on all sides
- Length: 1-2 pages
- Sections: Clearly labeled with standard headings
Formatting Elements
- Allowed: Bold text, standard bullet points (•), simple horizontal lines
- Avoid: Text boxes, tables, images/photos, headers/footers, charts/graphs, background colors, borders
When you follow these CV template ATS friendly technical requirements, your resume will work with 99% of ATS systems.
Modern ATS Resume Templates (Balancing Style and Function)
You might be thinking: "Does this mean my resume has to look boring?" Not exactly. You can create modern ATS resume templates that look professional while still being completely ATS-compatible.
Here's how:
- Use subtle design elements: Clean section dividers using simple horizontal lines and bold headers.
- Choose a professional color: Dark blue, dark grey, or black for headings. Keep body text black.
- Organize information strategically: Put strongest qualifications near the top.
- Make it scannable: Use enough white space and concise bullet points.
A modern ATS resume template doesn't mean fancy graphics. It means clean, professional design that works for both robots and humans.
Resume Template Without Graphics ATS & Why This Matters
Let me be really clear about resume template without graphics ATS: this isn't optional. It's essential.
Here's what happens when you use graphics:
- Graphic header for name: ATS sees nothing. Recruiter thinks: "Who is this?"
- Skill level bars: ATS sees nothing. Recruiter thinks: "No skills."
- Photo included: ATS sees nothing. Space wasted.
- Icons for contact: ATS sees corrupted characters. Recruiter can't contact you.
- Infographic timeline: ATS sees nothing. Work history blank.
Every single one of these scenarios leads to automatic rejection. This is why every resume design ATS friendly approach eliminates all graphics.
Resume Template for Job Application ATS (Customization Tips)
Having a good resume template for job application ATS is just the start. You need to customize it for each job.
- Analyze the job description: Read it carefully. Highlight key requirements. Look for repeated terms.
- Update your skills section: Add skills from the job description that you actually have. Use their exact terminology.
- Adjust your work experience: Can you add keywords from this job description? If they want "budget management", ensure you use those exact words.
- Modify your summary: Include 2-3 of the most important keywords from the job posting.
- Test your customized resume: Use an ATS checker to scan your customized version against the specific job description. Your score should be 75% or higher.
This customization process takes about 10-15 minutes per job. It dramatically improves your chances because now you're using a resume template tested with ATS AND optimized for that specific position.
Downloadable Resume Templates
Ready to get started? Here are the best downloadable resume templates you can use right now:
Google Docs Templates
- Go to Google Docs
- Click "Template Gallery"
- Choose "Resumes"
- Select "Simple" or "Professional"
- Customize with your information
- Download as .docx
Microsoft Word Templates
- Open Word
- File > New
- Search "simple resume"
- Choose the plainest option
- Replace with your information
- Save as .docx
Resume Layout for ATS (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Even with a good template, people make resume layout for ATS mistakes. Let me show you what to avoid:
- Mistake 1: Mixing up section order. Stick to the standard order: Contact, Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Education.
- Mistake 2: Using multiple columns. I keep emphasizing the one column resume ATS format because I see this mistake constantly.
- Mistake 3: Putting dates on the right side. This can confuse ATS. Keep dates on the left or under company name.
- Mistake 4: Using text boxes. Never use text boxes. All text belongs in the main document body.
- Mistake 5: Creating custom section names. Don't make up names like "My Journey". Stick with standard labels.
- Mistake 6: Inconsistent formatting. If you bold one job title, bold all of them.
A good professional ATS resume template prevents most of these mistakes automatically. But you still need to be careful when you customize it.
Conclusion
ATS Resume Templates don't need to be 'fancy' to be effective. Truth is that your template will work better if it's plainer. Those beautifully looking resumes—with many columns, graphics and creative layouts—often fail in ATS Screening.
A Simple Resume Format ATS Template does what is needed: It presents your strengths in such a way that both software and human can understand easily.
Granted, it doesn't look as attractive as some designer template, but does it take you across ATS and reach real recruiters? Yes, absolutely! And ultimately this is the only thing that matters.
Don't let your resume become 'invisible' in pursuit of looking beautiful. Choose a template which works, customize it a bit according to every job, and start getting those interviews which you're deserving.
Make your ATS-Friendly resume today
Don't waste your time in sending resumes which get rejected before anyone sees them. Download a plain and tested Free Resume Template, fill your information in it, and check it.
Your next interview is just one right resume away.
Are you ready to check score of your resume?
Use this tool now and see how ready your resume isFAQS
1. What are the best ATS friendly resume templates free to download?
The best ATS friendly resume templates free options include: Google Docs simple resume templates, Microsoft Word built-in basic templates, Indeed Resume Builder, Resume Worded simple formats, and basic templates from Novoresume. Look for templates labeled "simple" or "professional" with single-column layouts, no graphics, and standard section headings for best results with resume templates that pass ATS.
2. Where can I find resume templates that pass ATS screening?
Resume templates that pass ATS are available from Google Docs (template gallery), Microsoft Word (built-in templates), Indeed, Zety, and ResumeGenius. The key is choosing templates with single-column layouts, standard fonts, no text boxes or tables, and clear section headings. Avoid anything labeled "creative" or "modern" with fancy graphics, as these typically fail ATS parsing.
3. What is a simple resume template for ATS and how do I create one?
A simple resume template for ATS has: single-column layout, standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), clear section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills), no graphics or images, no tables or text boxes, and contact info in the main document. Create one by starting with a blank Word document, using basic formatting only, and following the structure: contact info, summary, skills, work experience, and education.
4. Is there an ATS friendly CV template download available for free?
Yes, free ATS friendly CV template download options are available from multiple sources. Google Docs offers several in their template gallery. Microsoft Word has built-in options. Indeed, Resume Worded, and ResumeGenius provide free basic templates. Look for simple, single-column designs without graphics. These downloadable resume templates work with most ATS systems when saved as .docx files.
5. What resume format ATS accepts and should I use?
The resume format ATS accepts best is .docx (Microsoft Word format). This works with 99% of ATS systems. Simple PDFs are sometimes acceptable if specifically requested, but .docx is always safer. The layout should be single-column with standard section headings, no tables or text boxes, and basic fonts like Arial or Calibri in 10-12 point size for a professional ATS resume.
6. Does ATS read PDF resume templates correctly?
Does ATS read PDF resume templates correctly? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Modern ATS systems usually handle simple PDFs created from Word or Google Docs, but older systems struggle with PDFs or can't read them at all. Unless the job specifically requests PDF resume ATS friendly format, it's safer to submit .docx files. If you must use PDF, keep formatting extremely simple.
7. Why should I use a one column resume ATS format?
You should use a one column resume ATS format because ATS systems read from top to bottom, left to right. Multi-column layouts confuse the parsing software, causing it to read information in the wrong order or miss entire sections. Single-column resume layout for ATS ensures your information is extracted accurately, improving your chances of passing screening and reaching human reviewers.
8. What makes a Word resume template ATS compatible?
A Word resume template ATS compatible format includes: single-column layout, standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), no text boxes or tables, clear section headings ("Work Experience," "Education," "Skills"), simple formatting (bold for emphasis only), and contact information in the main document body. The template should use .docx format and avoid images, graphics, charts, or complex design elements that confuse parsing software.
9. How do I find a resume template without graphics ATS can read?
To find a resume template without graphics ATS systems can read, look for templates labeled "simple," "basic," or "professional" rather than "creative" or "modern." Check Google Docs simple templates, Word built-in basic options, or create your own from scratch. Avoid templates with: photos, logos, icons, charts, skill bars, background images, or any visual elements. Text-only simple resume format ATS templates work best.
10. What is an ATS compliant resume template and where can I get one?
An ATS compliant resume template is designed specifically to pass applicant tracking system screening. It uses: single-column layout, standard section headings, basic fonts, no graphics or tables, and .docx format. Get these from Google Docs (Resume section), Microsoft Word (built-in templates), Indeed Resume Builder, or create your own following CV template ATS friendly guidelines. These templates score 70%+ on ATS checkers before customization.
11. Are there good resume template for job application ATS systems?
Yes, several resume template for job application ATS options work well. Google Docs "Simple" template, Word's "Basic Resume," and Indeed's Resume Builder all create ATS-compatible formats. The key is choosing templates with single-column layouts, standard headings, and no complex formatting. After selecting a resume template for ATS, customize it for each application by adding keywords from the specific job description.
12. What does resume design ATS friendly actually mean?
Resume design ATS friendly means the resume uses formatting that ATS software can easily parse and extract information from. This includes: single-column layout, standard fonts, clear section labels, no graphics or images, no tables or text boxes, basic formatting only, and standard bullet points. The design prioritizes readability by software over visual creativity while still maintaining professional appearance for human reviewers.
13. How can I get a modern ATS resume template that looks professional?
A modern ATS resume template balances clean design with ATS compatibility. Use: single-column layout with strategic white space, subtle color for headings (dark blue or grey), bold section headers, standard fonts in appropriate sizes, and consistent formatting throughout. Modern doesn't mean graphics—it means professional, organized, and easy to read for both ATS and humans. Find these as simple resume template for ATS options from major resume sites.
14. Where can I find a resume template tested with ATS systems?
Find resume template tested with ATS options at Indeed Resume Builder, Jobscan's recommended templates, Resume Worded's free template, and Novoresume basic format. These have been verified to pass ATS screening. You can also test any template yourself using ATS checker tools—upload the template and run it through Jobscan or similar tools. A good free resume template for online ATS checker testing should score 70%+ even before adding your specific content.
15. What should I look for in professional ATS resume templates?
In professional ATS resume templates, look for: single-column layout, standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills), clean typography with standard fonts, no graphics or complex formatting, consistent spacing and alignment, .docx file format compatibility, contact information in main document, and simple bullet points. The best ATS-friendly resume templates prioritize content organization and keyword placement over visual design, ensuring both software and humans can easily read your qualifications.