Use a single-column layout
Two-column resumes confuse older parsers, especially Workday and iCIMS deployments. A single-column layout with clear section headings reads correctly across every major ATS.
ATS Resume Format
ATS Resume Format (2026) — Layouts That Get Parsed Correctly
The ATS format rules that actually matter in 2026 — what to use, what to avoid, and how to verify your resume parses cleanly before you apply.
Stick to standard section headings
Use the labels recruiters and parsers expect:
- Summary or Professional Summary
- Experience or Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
Avoid parser-breaking elements
These elements are the most common reasons resumes get parsed into gibberish:
- Text boxes and tables
- Header / footer regions (some parsers skip them)
- Images, icons, and logos
- Decorative fonts and small caps
- Multiple columns
Export with selectable text
Test by opening your PDF and selecting your name with the cursor. If the text highlights as text (not as an image), the ATS can read it. If not, re-export from your editor with text embedding enabled.
File name and metadata
Name the file 'Firstname-Lastname-Role.pdf'. Some ATS systems index the file name and surface it in recruiter search.
FAQs
What is an ATS-friendly resume format?
A single-column layout with standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills), Word- or PDF-exported with selectable text, and no images, tables, or text boxes.
Should I use a PDF or .docx?
Modern ATS systems (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, iCIMS) handle both. PDF is safer for layout fidelity if the file was generated by a resume builder rather than scanned.
Are two-column resumes ATS-safe?
Many older parsers misread two-column layouts. Stick to a single column unless you've tested the resume against the specific ATS in use.
What font should I use?
A common sans-serif (Inter, Arial, Calibri) or serif (Georgia, Cambria) at 10–11pt body. Avoid decorative fonts the parser may render as glyphs.