By the JobScoutly team — we build and parser-test ATS resume tools. · Last updated
One column or two columns?
This is the format question that actually decides whether your resume survives an online application. The honest answer: modern ATS parsers (Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby) handle simple two-column layouts better than the folklore claims. But complex templates—text boxes, sidebars, skill bars, icons—still get scrambled, and you never know which system a company runs. One column is the zero-risk default.
What you designed
SKILLS
Project mgmt
SQL · Excel
EDUCATION
B.S. Marketing, 2021
EXPERIENCE
Marketing Manager, Acme — 2023–Present
Led campaigns that grew signups 40%
Coordinator, Beta Co — 2021–2023
What a strict parser extracts
SKILLS EXPERIENCE
Project mgmt Marketing Manager, Acme — 2023–Present
SQL · Excel Led campaigns that grew signups 40%
EDUCATION Coordinator, Beta Co — 2021–2023
B.S. Marketing, 2021
Columns are read left-to-right across the page, so unrelated lines merge. Your job title is now glued to a skills list.
If you love a two-column design, keep it for in-person networking and email attachments—and submit a single-column version through application portals. JobScoutly's builder is single-column by default, so there's nothing to fix.
Not sure which template to choose?
Once the layout question is settled, template choice is simpler than the hundreds of options suggest. Match the template to your situation:
Applying through online portals (most people)
Use a single-column template with standard headings. All of our free ATS resume templates follow this layout—download any of them as a PDF, no signup.
Corporate, finance, legal, or executive roles
Pick the most conservative template: black text, minimal accent color, generous whitespace. Let the content signal seniority—scope, numbers, and titles—rather than the design.
Creative roles with a portfolio
Your portfolio carries the design signal—your resume still goes through the same ATS as everyone else's. Use a clean template and link the portfolio prominently in your contact section.
Not sure what "good" looks like for your field
Browse resume examples by industry to see how the same format flexes across roles, then build yours free.
How to format your resume with JobScoutly
- Use reverse-chronological order (most recent job first).
- Include standard sections: Contact, Summary, Experience, Skills, Education.
- Use one clean font (Inter, Calibri, Arial) at 10-12pt.
- Keep formatting consistent—aligned dates, uniform bullet styles, even spacing.
- Export as PDF to preserve your layout.
Resume formatting rules
Margins & spacing
0.5"–1" margins. Consistent line spacing. Use whitespace to separate sections—don't cram.
Font & size
10-12pt body text. 14-16pt for your name. One font family throughout. No decorative fonts.
Section headings
Use standard titles (Experience, Skills, Education). Bold or slightly larger than body text. No ALL CAPS.
Bullet points
3-5 bullets per role. Start each with a strong action verb. Include measurable results when possible.
PDF or DOCX?
PDF, unless the job posting explicitly asks for Word. A text-based PDF locks your layout on every device and parses reliably in every modern ATS—the old "ATS can't read PDFs" warning died years ago. DOCX files can shift fonts and spacing depending on who opens them, and tracked changes or comments can travel with the file. The one exception: some government and staffing-agency portals still request .docx, and when they ask, comply. Whatever you send, check that the text is selectable—a scanned or image-exported "PDF" is unreadable to any parser.
One page or two?
One page for under ~10 years of experience, two pages when you genuinely need them. Recruiters don't reject two-page resumes—they reject padding. If page two is real: senior scope, publications, multiple relevant roles—use it. If it's a hobbies section and a decade-old internship, cut it. Length is a content decision, not a formatting one: write the strongest bullets first, then let the page count follow. Never shrink your font below 10pt or your margins below 0.5" to force a fit; that trades readability for a rule nobody's enforcing.
Formatting for gaps, first resumes, and career changes
Employment gaps
Keep reverse-chronological—switching to a functional format to hide a gap is the oldest trick recruiters know, and it backfires. Use years-only dates if the gap is under a year, and address longer gaps in one matter-of-fact line (caregiving, education, layoff) rather than hoping nobody notices.
No work experience yet
Same format, different section order: Education first, then Projects, then internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs under Experience. Projects with real outcomes ("built X used by Y people") read as experience—format them exactly like jobs, with dates and bullets.
Career change
Reverse-chronological with a 2–3 line summary up top that names the direction you're heading, so the recruiter reads your history through that lens. Rewrite each role's bullets to lead with the transferable work. Run your draft through the job match analyzer to see which requirements your current wording actually hits.
FAQ
What is the best resume format for 2026?
A single-column, reverse-chronological resume. It's what recruiters expect, and it parses cleanly in every applicant tracking system.
Are two-column resumes ATS-friendly?
Sometimes. Modern systems like Greenhouse and Lever handle simple two-column layouts, but older parsers and complex templates with text boxes still scramble the text. Since you can't know which ATS a company uses, one column is the zero-risk choice.
Can ATS read tables in a resume?
Unreliably. Parsers read tables left to right and can merge cells out of order, so your dates and job titles end up attached to the wrong entries. Use plain text with consistent spacing instead of tables.
Can I download a free resume format template?
Yes. JobScoutly's ATS resume templates are free to download as PDFs with no signup and no watermark, or you can build a customized version in the free resume builder.
Should I use a functional resume format?
Functional resumes hide your work timeline, which makes recruiters suspicious. Use reverse-chronological unless you have a very specific reason not to.
What file format should I save my resume in?
PDF is the standard. It preserves formatting across devices and is accepted by virtually all ATS. Avoid .docx unless specifically requested.
How do I format a resume with no experience?
Use the same reverse-chronological format. Lead with education, projects, and relevant skills. Add internships, volunteer work, or coursework as experience.
Related Resources
Free ATS Resume Templates
Single-column, parser-safe templates. Download as PDF—no signup, no watermark.
Free Resume Builder
Build your resume with the right format using our free online builder.
ATS-Friendly Resume
Make sure your resume format passes applicant tracking systems.
Good Resume Examples
See properly formatted resumes across different industries.
Resume Guides
In-depth guides on what to include, ideal length, and common resume mistakes.
Canva Resume Builder — ATS Risks
Why designed templates parse poorly and how to keep the look without losing the interview.
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