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.
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 βhardworkingβ 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 resumeβs 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
Data Analyst Intern: Mployee.meMay 2026 β 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 DashboardJan 2024 β 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 AnalysisAug 2023 β Oct 2023
Performed exploratory data analysis on telecom customer datasets to identify churn drivers using statistical methods and visual analysis techniques
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, CGPA: 8.4
XYZ Senior Secondary SchoolJul 2019 β Mar 2021
Higher Secondary, 90%
Certifications
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate β Coursera
Data Analysis with Python β IBM
SQL for Data Analysis β 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.
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 β 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 β 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 β 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
Master of Business Administration in Human Resource
ABC College Jul 2013 β May 2016
Bachelor of Business Administration
Certifications
SHRM Human Resource Management Certification Mar 2023
HR Analytics Certification β 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.
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 β 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 β 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 β 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 β May 2020
Bachelor of Commerce
Certifications
Google Digital Marketing Certification Mar 2023
SEO Fundamentals β Semrush Academy Sep 2023
Meta Social Media Marketing β 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
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 LtdJul 2023 β 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 CompanyJul 2022 β 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.meJul 2021 β 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 UniversityJul 2017 β Jun 2019
Masters of Business Administration
XYZ UniversityJul 2014 β 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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Our career blog is your go-to resource for insightful advice, practical tips, and the latest trends in the job market.