Free ATS Resume Templates & Formatting Guide (2026)

Upload your existing resume into our scanner below and match it against the job you’re applying for to get your Match Rate. Then improve using our guide.

What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a tool that helps companies handle job applications. It scans your resume and takes out the text. This step is called “parsing”. After this, some of them will rank candidates. Then it stores the resumes in a searchable database. Recruiters can choose from the ranked candidates (if it is a ranking-based ATS) or search the database for strong candidates using resume keywords and skills.

There are two major hurdles that can mess you up here, and they can happen even if you are a great fit:

• First hurdle | formatting: if the ATS can’t ‘read’ your resume when it tries to take out the text, your information gets scrambled, and possibly your chances of getting found with it.
• Second hurdle | job match level: If your skills are not written clearly or placed well, the ATS may give you a lower score, if it’s equipped with that ability, or you won’t be easily searchable. You might end up missing in search results where other less qualified people seem to fit better.

Why is a “boring” resume format better?

Many people looking for jobs pick pretty resume templates on Canva or LaTeX. These resumes are often heavy with pictures and shapes. They also contain text boxes, columns, and other special formatting. But these fancy design elements increase the risk of ATS software misreading or skipping parts of your resume, and content it can’t read may never reach a recruiter. Our testing on major applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse and SmartRecruiters revealed as much, with misaligned embedded images, changed bullet point formatting, and skipped text boxes just some of the issues when it came to the ATS retrieving information from the resume.

Here is what happens when the system tries to read these tricky parts:

How do I format my resume to be ATS-friendly?

Tip #1: Use common fonts

Custom fonts like Poppins or Arimo look nice, but special fonts aren’t available in ATS software. When that happens, characters can be substituted, dropped, or garbled, and a resume with unreadable text will get buried regardless of your qualifications. Our testing of major ATS systems confirmed that formatting elements consistently behave differently than they appear in the original file, and fonts are no exception. Stick to standard system fonts.

• Safe Font examples: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Georgia.

Tip #2: Keep a clean layout

An ATS-friendly resume needs a simple and neat format. Avoid text boxes, decorative images, and overly complex layouts. While many modern ATS platforms can handle basic tables and columns, results vary across systems, and a formatting error you can’t see could silently cost you. Our templates remove the guesswork entirely.

Tip #3: Stick to basic information flows

There are three resume formats you can use: the chronological resume, the functional resume, and the hybrid resume (or combination).

• The chronological format lists work experience with the newest job first and shows growth at work over time. This is good for people who have worked in one field for many years. It is also the easiest read for ATS systems.
• The functional format focuses more on skills than job history. This style is good for new graduates or people making a career change. But this style is harder for ATS systems to read well and must make careful use of the right keywords and follow good formatting rules.
• The hybrid format mixes both jobs and skills together. It helps show your wide range of skills across many jobs. With this type, an ATS can still read it well enough if you keep the format simple and clear.

Tip #4: Create standard sections with recognizable headers

Make sure you name your sections so the reader can find them easily. The ATS system looks for certain words. As well, use or generate resume bullet points to make information easy to scan.

• ✅ Safe Headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Summary.
• ❌ Risky Headings: My Professional Journey, Where I’ve Studied, What I Bring to the Table.

Tip #5: Send your files in standard formats

When sending your resume, our research indicates that PDFs work better as the default file format. If you use a PDF, make sure you can highlight its text with your mouse. This means the text is clear and easy to read. Do not use PDFs made from pictures because they cannot be scanned by the system.

Tip #6: Optimize the content

Besides format, you also need to improve your content. For each job you apply for, tailor your resume. This gives you a better chance to get noticed by both the ATS and the person reading it. You can use our free resume scanner or try our full tools with a free trial. Our tools help organize, automate and improve your job search so you can apply and keep track easily and correctly.

Picking the right template is a great first step, but it’s not the last one. Aside from formatting, you still need to make sure your resume matches the job you’re applying for so it can get searched easily in the ATS by a real person. Jobscan’s resume scanner helps you do exactly that. Follow these five steps to go from a blank template to a resume that’s ready to send.

Step 1. Upload your current resume

Open Jobscan’s free resume scanner and upload your existing resume or the one you’ve tailored with one of our templates.

Why this matters:

• If you started with our template, you should have a good head start on formatting and the scanner will help with the other areas of concern.
• If you upload your own existing resume, the scanner will point out any formatting problems that could cause issues with an ATS.

Step 2. Paste in the job description

Go to the job posting you want to apply for, copy the full job description, and paste it into the scanner.

Keep in mind:

• The tool compares your resume to the job description to see how well they match.
• Try to paste from the relevant parts of the listed position, like job description and responsibilities; leave out sections like benefits or company history.

Step 3. Run the scan and check your Match Report

Hit “Scan” and you’ll get your Match Report in just a few seconds. The report gives you a Match Rate and shows you exactly how your resume lines up with the job.

What does the Match Report check?

• Searchability: How well does your resume show up in the ATS for this company’s job position?
• Hard and Soft Skills: Does your resume include the skills the job is asking for?
• Formatting: Are there any layout problems, unusual fonts, or design choices that might confuse an ATS?
• Recruiter Tips: How does your resume look to a human recruiter giving it a quick scan?
• ATS-Specific Tips: what optimizations should you make specific to the ATS the company is using?

Think of the Match Report like a checklist. It tells you what’s working and what still needs to be fixed before you apply.

Step 4. Make the changes the scanner suggests

Now it’s time to update your resume based on what the Match Report found.

What to focus on:

• Add missing keywords into your work experience and skills sections — but make sure they fit naturally into your sentences.
• Include the job title from the posting in your resume headline or summary to give yourself a 10.6x times higher interview rate.
• Remove or replace formatting flags like tables, images, or unusual bullet points that the ATS might not read correctly.

A few things to keep in mind:

• You don’t have to use every keyword the report mentions. Focus on the ones that match your real skills and experience.
• Try to use the same wording as the job description when adding keywords.
• If a skill has an abbreviation, include both versions (for example, “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)”).

Step 5. Download your resume and apply

Once your Match Rate looks strong, download your finished resume.

Before you submit:

• Save it as a readable PDF (preferred unless the application asks for something different).
• Give your file a simple, professional name, something like “Jane-Smith-Resume.pdf.”