Academic CV Template
A classic single-column CV with a centred header. Ideal for research, teaching, PhD and scholarship applications that run to several pages.
ATS-friendlyWith photoSingle-column
Free ATS resume builder: get past the bots
Most large employers screen applications with an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a human sees them. Build a clean, ATS-friendly resume in minutes — free, no sign up.
- Single-column layouts
- Selectable-text PDF
- Standard headings
ATS-friendly resume templates
These single-column templates use standard headings and no graphics in the text flow, so ATS software reads them reliably.
Analyst CV Template
A light, single-column CV with no photo and teal headings. A safe, ATS-friendly choice for finance, data, consulting and IT jobs.
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Executive CV Template
A polished single-column CV with skill tags under the header. Made for managers, directors and senior professionals.
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Strong CV Template
A centred, traditional one-page resume with no photo or graphics. One of our most ATS-friendly resume formats.
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Traditional CV Template
A formal single-column CV with serif fonts, perfect for detailed CVs and traditional employers.
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How an ATS reads your resume
An applicant tracking system converts your resume into plain text, splits it into fields (name, contact, job titles, companies, dates, education, skills) and then lets recruiters search and filter candidates by keywords, job titles, location and years of experience. If the parser cannot find your job titles or skills, you may never appear in the recruiter's search — even if you are qualified.
That is why formatting matters: the goal is not to "trick" the system but to make sure everything you wrote is read correctly.
The ATS-friendly resume checklist
Format
- Use a single-column layout for portal applications.
- Use standard headings: Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
- Keep contact details in the main body, not in the page header or footer.
- Do not put text inside images, icons or charts.
- Use a common font (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia) and plain bullet points.
- Export a text-based PDF (or Word if the portal asks for it).
Content
- Match your headline to the exact job title in the advert, if it honestly fits.
- Include the hard skills and tools named in the job description, written the same way (e.g. "Microsoft Excel", "Power BI", "AutoCAD").
- Use both the acronym and full term once: "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)".
- Write dates consistently, e.g. 03/2021 – 08/2024.
- Quantify results: numbers are easy for recruiters to scan once the ATS has shortlisted you.
How to find the right keywords
- Copy the job description into a document.
- Highlight every skill, tool, qualification and job title it mentions.
- Mark the ones you genuinely have and add them to your skills section and bullet points.
- Repeat the 3–5 most important ones naturally in your summary and experience.
Job advert says: "Accountant with IFRS, SAP FICO and month-end close experience."
Weak bullet: Handled accounts for the company.
ATS-friendly bullet: Led month-end close for 3 entities using SAP FICO, preparing IFRS-compliant reports 2 days ahead of deadline.
ATS myths
- "Hiding white-text keywords works." It doesn't — recruiters see the parsed text and it looks like spam.
- "ATS rejects every PDF." Modern systems read text-based PDFs fine; image-only PDFs are the problem.
- "You need a 90+ ATS score." Scores from online checkers are estimates; each employer's system is different.
Ready? The Strong template is our most ATS-friendly resume.
Use the Strong templateATS resume FAQs
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
An ATS-friendly resume is formatted so applicant tracking systems can read it correctly: a simple single-column layout, standard section headings, selectable text, no important details in images, headers or text boxes, and keywords that match the job description.
Is this ATS resume builder free?
Yes. You can build an ATS-friendly resume and download it as a PDF without signing up, logging in or paying.
Are PDF resumes ATS-friendly?
Modern ATS software reads text-based PDFs well. Problems happen with scanned or image-only PDFs. MakeFreeCV exports PDFs with selectable text. If a job portal specifically asks for a Word file, follow its instructions.
Can ATS read two-column resumes?
Many modern systems can, but older or simpler parsers sometimes mix up the reading order of columns. If you are applying through a portal and want zero risk, use a single-column template such as Strong, Analyst, Academic, Executive or Traditional.
What is a good ATS score?
There is no universal ATS score — each employer's system ranks candidates differently, and "ATS score" tools only estimate keyword overlap. Focus on matching the job's key skills and job title honestly, and on a clean format.
Should I use a photo on an ATS resume?
A photo does not stop ATS from reading your text, but in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia photos are discouraged. Use a no-photo template like Strong or Analyst for those markets.