The best ATS CV format is usually simple, structured and easy to read in a predictable top-to-bottom order. A strong format helps applicant tracking systems extract your information correctly and helps recruiters review it quickly.
Use the free ATS Resume Checker
Use a single-column layout
A single-column CV reduces uncertainty about reading order. Keep each section stacked vertically instead of placing major content in sidebars. This is especially helpful for work experience, education and skills, which should remain easy to identify as normal text.
Recommended section order
A practical structure is: name and contact details, professional summary, work experience, education, skills, then certifications or additional sections when relevant. Senior candidates may place certifications or technical skills earlier if they are central to the role. The key is clarity rather than forcing every person into the same exact order.
Use familiar headings
Prefer headings such as Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications, Projects and Languages. Creative labels may look distinctive but can make automated classification less reliable.
Keep work history consistent
For each role, use a consistent pattern for job title, employer and dates. Bullet points should explain actual responsibilities and results. Avoid turning important experience into charts, timelines or images that cannot be read as ordinary text.
Fonts, spacing and margins
Use a professional, readable font such as Arial, Calibri or another standard sans-serif typeface. Keep body text comfortably readable and use consistent spacing between sections. Reasonable margins and white space make the document easier for humans to review without changing what the ATS extracts.
Tables, columns and text boxes
Some modern systems can process tables and multi-column layouts, but support varies. If your priority is broad compatibility, avoid using tables, floating text boxes and sidebars for essential content. LebJobs ATS-safe templates follow this conservative approach.
What about icons and graphics?
Decorative elements are less risky when they are purely decorative and do not contain the only version of important information. Your phone number, email, job titles, skills and dates should remain available as selectable text.
One page or two pages?
Length should reflect relevant experience, not an arbitrary rule. Early-career candidates can often present a strong CV in one page. Experienced professionals may need two pages. Avoid shrinking text excessively just to force everything onto one page.
Save the file correctly
DOCX is a common recruitment format, while text-based PDFs can also parse well. Do not submit a scanned image unless specifically requested. See PDF vs DOCX for ATS for more detail.
Use job-specific language
A clean format alone is not enough. Your CV also needs relevant content. Compare your real experience with the vacancy and use accurate terminology for skills, software, responsibilities and job titles. Our ATS Keywords Guide explains how to do this without stuffing keywords.
Start from an ATS-safe template
LebJobs provides editable ATS-safe CV templates through Career Services. They use a clear single-column structure and avoid essential information in tables, sidebars or floating objects. You can also read How to Make a CV ATS-Friendly before editing your CV.