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Standard CV Format for Job

Written by Editorial Team, Mployee.me

Last Modified: 13/12/2025
6 min Read
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Important Sections for ATS Resumes

An ATS resume should contain specific sections that highlight your qualifications and experiences. By organizing your standard resume thoughtfully, you can ensure it is ATS-friendly and stands out to potential employers. Here are the important sections you should include:

 

  • Contact Information: Begin your resume with your contact information, including your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL. Make sure to use a professional email address and double-check for any typographical errors.


  • Resume Summary: If you have more than 2 years of experience, only then you should add a Resume Professional Summary in your Resume. A short summary should follow your contact information. This section should briefly describe your career goals, qualifications, and relevant skills in 80 words. Tailor your summary to the specific job you are applying for, using keywords found in the job description.


  • Work Experience: Highlight your previous work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Clearly state your job titles, company names, dates of employment, and provide a concise description of your responsibilities and achievements in each role. Use bullet points and action verbs to make this section easy to read and scan.


  • Education: Include your educational background, listing your highest degree first. Mention the name of the institution, degree obtained, and graduation date. If you have completed any relevant certifications or training programs, make sure to include them here as well.


  • Skills: List your relevant skills, both hard and soft, that are important for the job you are applying for. ATS systems often look for specific keywords, so make sure to include relevant terms from the job description. Organize your skills into distinct categories, such as technical skills, programming languages, or leadership abilities.


  • Achievements and Awards: If you have received any notable achievements, honors, or awards throughout your career, consider including them in a separate section. This can help to distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your accomplishments.


  • Additional Sections: Depending on your industry and the job you are applying for, you may want to include additional sections such as publications, professional affiliations, volunteer work, or language proficiencies. However, be cautious not to overload your resume with irrelevant information.

Standard ATS Resume/CV Format

ATS Resume Formatting Strategies

In addition to the content of your resume, the formatting also plays a crucial role in optimizing it for ATS. Consider the following strategies to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly:

 

  • Use a standard format: Stick to a traditional, widely used resume format such as reverse chronological or functional. ATS systems are more likely to parse information accurately from standard formats compared to creative or visually appealing resumes.


  • Choose appropriate fonts and sizes: Opt for common, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use font sizes between 10 and 12 points for the main content and slightly larger fonts for section headings. This ensures readability both for humans and ATS systems.


  • Avoid fancy formatting: While it may be tempting to use fancy graphics, images, or tables to enhance the visual appeal of your resume, these elements can confuse ATS systems. Stick to simple formatting with clear headings, bullet points, and sufficient white space.


  • Optimize for keyword matching: Carefully review the job description and identify important keywords and phrases. Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your resume, especially in the skills and job description sections. This can improve your chances of passing the ATS screening.


  • Save your resume as a text-based PDF: When submitting your resume electronically, save it as a text-based PDF rather than using unconventional file formats or submitting a Word document. This ensures that the ATS can accurately parse the information and prevent formatting issues.

Proofread and Test your Resume

Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. Additionally, test your resume by uploading it to different ATS systems or using online resume screening tools. This can help you identify any formatting issues or missing keywords that may hinder your chances of getting through the ATS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Standard Resume Format

Creating a simple resume is not just a matter of choosing a proper layout. Many applicants commit the same set of mistakes that curb their chances of ever being noticed. A nice and well-structured standard curriculum vitae has to be optimized, at least in the ATS CV format, to pass the screening systems.

Mistakes to Avoid in ATS CV Format Resume
  • Using tables, columns, or images that confuse ATS software
  • Adding outdated or irrelevant job experience
  • Skipping important keywords from the job description
  • Saving resumes in formats not friendly to ATS parsing
  • Using vague traits like β€œhardworking” without proof
  • Not tailoring the resume for each job application
  • Choosing fancy fonts or colors that reduce readability
  • Poor section alignment that breaks ATS parsing
These mistakes can reduce your resume’s ATS compatibility and visibility.

ATS Resume Template - Standard Format

Standard resume format is a safe way to proceed when making an ATS-ready resume. ATS systems are designed to scan content in a predicable structure; therefore, any variation from the standard organization could result in rejection of your resume.

An effective ATS CV format is composed of:


  • A typical standard resume format with clear-cut sections


  • Simple fonts such as Arial or Calibri with size between 10 and 12 pt


  • Contact information, Summary, Work Experience, Skills, and Education as the headers


  • Bullet points for listing responsibilities and accomplishments


  • Keywords applied here as given in the vacancy description


  • Parsing format of the text, ATS-friendly


  • Save the file as a text-based PDF or Word document-the full form of ATS must be kept in mind when preparing the resume


  • No logos, tables, graphics, or multi-columns


  • Relevance must be drawn from achievements enhancing the specifications of the job posting


  • Make sure that alignment and format remain consistent, just like a cv standard.


This format of the resume is accepted almost everywhere, and it increases the chance of getting recognized.

Resume Template for Freshers

For the newly graduated and those with little work experience, a standard resume format is concerned with showing potential and education background. A well-organized standard cv can lead a hiring manager and ATS system to what matters.

The fresher's standard resume format should include:


  • Contact info in accordance with the cv standards


  • A short career objective, related to the job


  • Education placed before the experience


  • Academic projects, internships, or volunteer programs providing practical exposure


  • A categorized skills section using keywords from the job listing


  • Certifications or courses to back up the claims


  • Formatting clean and consistent with parsing ATS cv format


  • Saving the file in .docx or PDF, always keeping the full form of ATS in the resume in mind


  • Clear section headers and bullet points with high clarity


  • No excessive stylizing or creative fonts

Rohit Sharma
Experience
Data Analyst Intern: Mployee.me May 2026 – Oct 2026
  • Analyzed large scale job and resume datasets using Python and SQL to extract actionable insights supporting product optimization and user engagement strategies
  • Built automated dashboards tracking user behavior conversion funnels and resume scoring metrics improving reporting accuracy by 35% across internal teams
  • Collaborated with product and engineering teams to translate analytical findings into feature improvements enhancing data driven decision making workflows
  • Optimized data cleaning and preprocessing pipelines reducing manual data handling efforts by 40% while improving overall analysis consistency
Skills
  • Python
  • SQL
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Data Cleaning
  • EDA
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Data Modeling
  • Power BI
  • Tableau
  • Data Visualization
  • Advanced Excel
Projects
Sales Performance Analysis Dashboard Jan 2024 – Mar 2024
  • Analyzed multi region sales datasets using Python and SQL to identify revenue trends customer behavior patterns and underperforming segments
  • Built interactive Power BI dashboards presenting KPIs sales growth and category performance enabling faster data driven business decisions
  • Automated data transformation workflows improving reporting efficiency and reducing repetitive manual analysis tasks significantly
Customer Churn Analysis Aug 2023 – Oct 2023
  • Performed exploratory data analysis on telecom customer datasets to identify churn drivers using statistical methods and visual analysis techniques
  • Prepared insight driven reports highlighting churn factors supporting strategic recommendations for improving customer retention outcomes
Education
ABC Institute of Technology Oct 2021 – May 2024
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, CGPA: 8.4
XYZ Senior Secondary School Jul 2019 – Mar 2021
Higher Secondary, 90%
Certifications
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate – Coursera
  • Data Analysis with Python – IBM
  • SQL for Data Analysis – Udemy

Resume Template for Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals should base their standard resumes on a results-oriented approach with responsibilities and growth. A well-written standard resume allows recruiters to scan achievements quickly while conforming to the ATS standards of the resume format.


The typical format for a standardized resume of present-day applicants might include:


  • A brief summary highlighting total experience and major strengths


  • Reverse-chronological account of roles and companies


  • Bullet-pointed accomplishments with quantifiable results employing strong action verbs


  • Separate section for skills focused on technical and soft skills relevant to the job


  • Optional sections for certifications, awards, or further training


  • Formatting that respects resume standard and ATS compatibility


  • Avoidance of images, tables, or design-heavy elements


  • Use job titles that are accurate and consistent with terms used in the industry


  • Use of keywords found overwhelmingly in job descriptions when describing responsibilities


  • Last review to ensure ATS standards for full-form resume respect conversion while proper file saving


The standard resume format thus ensures greater visibility and, in turn, strengthens credibility in front of the software and recruiters.

Kirti Sindhwani
Professional Summary

Experienced professional with 6+ years in human resources driving talent acquisition engagement compliance and workforce planning delivering 95% retention improvement through structured processes data driven insights stakeholder collaboration policy execution and people centric initiatives across growing organizations enabling scalable teams strong culture operational discipline leadership trust and consistent business outcomes.

Experience
HR Manager: Padhakku a Peek Book Ltd Apr 2021 – Present
  • Led end to end recruitment onboarding and workforce planning for 50+ positions while strengthening hiring governance alignment and cross functional collaboration
  • Improved employee retention by 32% through structured engagement initiatives performance reviews leadership coaching and continuous feedback mechanisms
  • Partnered with leadership teams to ensure HR policy compliance statutory adherence and disciplined people governance across departments
  • Streamlined HR operations payroll coordination and vendor management processes ensuring consistency operational efficiency and improved internal service delivery
Senior HR Executive: ABC Ltd Jun 2018 – Mar 2021
  • Managed recruitment lifecycle employee relations and grievance handling improving hiring quality by 26% across multiple business functions
  • Executed learning and development programs supporting capability building leadership readiness and long term employee growth initiatives
  • Improved HR reporting accuracy by 31% through structured MIS documentation audit readiness and standardized review processes
  • Supported appraisal compensation benchmarking & performance review cycles ensuring fairness transparency & timely execution across teams
HR Executive: Mployee.me Jul 2016 – May 2018
  • Handled onboarding documentation exit processes and employee coordination improving overall candidate and employee experience by 23%
  • Maintained employee records HR databases and compliance trackers ensuring data accuracy confidentiality and audit readiness
  • Increased engagement participation by 38% through feedback surveys townhalls communication initiatives and employee connect programs
  • Supported payroll coordination attendance tracking and HR policy implementation ensuring smooth operational continuity
Skills
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Employee Engagement
  • HR Operations
  • Policy Compliance
  • HCM Systems
  • HRIS
  • HR Analytics
  • Workforce Planning
  • Regulatory Reporting
  • HR Dashboards
  • Compliance Audits
  • Payroll Processing
Education
XYZ University Jun 2016 – May 2018

Master of Business Administration in Human Resource

ABC College Jul 2013 – May 2016

Bachelor of Business Administration

Certifications
  • SHRM Human Resource Management Certification Mar 2023
  • HR Analytics Certification – Coursera Aug 2022
  • Labor Laws and Compliance Certification Jan 2021
Achievements
  • Received Star Performer Award for consistent excellence in people management initiatives
  • Earned Client Appreciation for delivering reliable HR operations and stakeholder satisfaction

Resume Template for Freelancers

Freelancers encounter peculiarities while designing a standard resume format due to project-based work. The functional and clean standardized resume format helps both ATS and hiring managers realize and see the value. A strong freelancer's standard CV will have:


  • A short summary highlighting core freelance skills and industries served


  • A breakup of projects by type or skill set instead of chronological job for a resume


  • Some mention of freelance platforms or dealing directly with clients


  • One headline for all the technical tools used and deliverables via which the projects were completed


  • Bullet points to state the outcomes and client benefits


  • Links to a portfolio or testimonials, in case they apply


  • Formatting according to the ATS resume format


  • Each section having clear and consistent headings


  • Project-related keywords used regularly


  • File format according to the ATS full form.


Freelancers almost always need to stick to a good standard resume format that feeds well into resume parsing systems and gets their worth across.

Kritika Sharma
Professional Summary

Result-driven digital marketing professional with hands-on experience in SEO, content optimisation, analytics and social media growth. During a freelance consulting gap, helped multiple small businesses strengthen brand visibility and optimise content strategies, achieving measurable improvements in reach and engagement through data-backed execution and consistent performance tracking

Experience
Digital Marketing Consultant: Freelancing Jan 2023 – Dec 2023
  • Planned SEO and social media strategies improving organic engagement by 32% through targeted keyword research, audience insights and consistent platform-specific content optimisation
  • Created analytics dashboards visualising weekly reach impressions and engagement movements increasing reporting clarity by 27% for small business clients
  • Managed content calendars keyword lists and creative briefs ensuring posting consistency across channels while maintaining strong brand tone and messaging
  • Collaborated with clients to refine messaging guidelines and content structures supporting improved brand recall and platform interaction quality
Digital Marketing Associate: ABC Digital Pvt Ltd Jan 2021 – Dec 2022
  • Executed social media campaigns tracking engagement and interaction trends contributing to a 29% improvement in content performance across selected platforms
  • Performed keyword analysis and on-page optimisation tasks improving visibility for assigned landing pages by 18% through structured content refinement
  • Monitored campaign metrics including impressions clicks and retention behaviour supporting weekly strategy discussions for ongoing campaign improvement
  • Coordinated content planning and publishing workflows ensuring scheduling accuracy and smooth cross-functional reviews for marketing deliverables
Skills
  • SEO
  • On-page Optimization
  • Keyword Research
  • Google Analytics
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Content Strategy
  • Meta Ads Basics
  • Campaign Reporting
  • Canva
  • Content Writing
  • Hashtag Strategy
  • Basic Email Marketing
Project
Social Media Growth & Content Optimisation Strategy Jun 2023 – Sep 2023
  • Developed a structured content calendar using competitor insights and audience analysis increasing organic engagement consistency by 24% for a local business
  • Tracked weekly performance metrics including reach impressions and click patterns supporting iterative improvements in posting schedules and content types
Education

XYZ University Jul 2017 – May 2020

Bachelor of Commerce

Certifications
  • Google Digital Marketing Certification Mar 2023
  • SEO Fundamentals – Semrush Academy Sep 2023
  • Meta Social Media Marketing – Coursera Feb 2022

Resume Template for Career Change

Changing industries requires a standardized resume format that highlights transferable skills but remains clear. A perfectly structured standard resume format will definitely work in favor of the candidate, even if lacking direct experience. In order to ensure an effective standard CV for career changers, the following must be present:


  • A customized summary statement about the motivation and transfer of skills behind the career change


  • Use of functional format, putting more emphasis on strengths and accomplishments than onto job titles


  • A separate section for transferable soft skills and hard skills


  • Related certifications, courses, or workshops


  • Structure that employs clear headers and logical flow of sections for ATS CV format


  • Various studies from former jobs with a focus on job responsibilities relevant to the new job


  • Industry-relevant keywords spliced throughout


  • Pick clean fonts and formatting in alignment to CV standards


  • Don't add design treatments, which interfere with ATS


  • Proper file formatting

Kanika Bajaj
Professional Summary

Result-oriented finance-focused professional with 3+ years of experience transitioning from operations into financial analysis, and cost optimization. Strong expertise in budgeting, variance analysis, forecasting, and KPI tracking. Proven ability to convert operational data into financial insights, business planning, while supporting leadership with reliable data-backed recommendations and improving overall financial visibility by 21%.

Experience
Financial Analyst: Padhakku Peek a Book Ltd Jul 2023 – Present
  • Prepared detailed financial reports analyzing revenue cost structures and variances improving budget visibility by 18% and supporting quarterly leadership reviews
  • Performed forecasting and trend analysis using historical data improving forecast accuracy by 22% and enabling better departmental resource allocation decisions
  • Monitored expense controls and financial KPIs ensuring reporting accuracy compliance adherence and consistent alignment with organizational financial objectives
Operations Analyst: ABC Company Jul 2022 – Jun 2023
  • Analyzed operational and financial metrics identifying inefficiencies reducing processing costs by 21% through structured reporting and continuous performance evaluation
  • Developed MIS dashboards and KPI scorecards improving reporting accuracy by 19%, supporting finance teams during audits budgeting cycles
Operations Executive: Mployee.me Jul 2021 – Jun 2022
  • Managed daily operational workflows tracking service metrics improving task execution efficiency across high-volume operational processes
  • Maintained operational documentation and reports supporting senior analysts with data consolidation and performance review requirements
Skills
  • Financial Analysis
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Variance Analysis
  • Financial Reporting
  • KPI Tracking
  • Data Interpretation
  • Operations Analysis
  • Process Improvement
  • Stakeholder Coordination
Education
ABC University Jul 2017 – Jun 2019

Masters of Business Administration

XYZ University Jul 2014 – Jun 2017

Bachelor of Commerce

Certifications
  • Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard format for a CV?

A CV follows a standard format, presenting sections distinctly and clearly: Contact information, Resume summary, Work experience, etc. Education, and Skills. It runs in parallel with an ATS-friendly stylish resume in that the candidate is given the liberty to use plain fonts or bullet points and has to avoid photographs and tables. Thereby, it can be an ATS-following CV, and it is an easy scan-hit for recruiters.

What is the finest CV format?

How do I write a standard CV?

What is the most common CV mistake?

What does the simplest format of CV look like?

What are the 3 formats of CV?

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