A Simple ATS-Friendly Resume Template You Can Copy and Paste

January 27, 2026 · FilteredIn Team

Don't get FilteredOut. Use this plain structure as a starting point for a resume that is easy for people and software to read.

If an employer uses an applicant tracking system (ATS), your resume may be parsed into structured fields before a person reviews it. Systems differ, and Workday's documentation says parsing results can vary based on resume format and order of words. No template can guarantee how a particular system will read your resume, but a plain, predictable structure is a sensible default.

Below is a deliberately "boring" template: single column, standard headings, no graphics.

How to Use This Template

  • Copy the text below into a plain text editor or a blank Word doc.
  • Replace the [BRACKETED TEXT] with your own information. Use only facts you can verify; never keep example wording that does not describe you.
  • Keep the standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills). Do not get creative here.
  • Save in the file type the job posting asks for, such as .docx or .pdf.
[FULL NAME] [City, State, Zip Code] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] [LinkedIn Profile URL] | [Portfolio URL (Optional)] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY [Job Title] with [Number] years of experience in [Core Skill 1] and [Core Skill 2]. Track record of [Major Achievement you can verify]. Experience in [Key Industry Keyword]. Focused on [Specific Methodology/Approach]. CORE SKILLS - [Skill 1] - [Skill 2] - [Skill 3] - [Skill 4] - [Skill 5] - [Skill 6] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Most Recent Job Title] [Company Name] | [City, State] | [Month, Year] – Present - Led [Project Name] resulting in [Quantifiable Result from your own records]. - Managed a team of [Number] to execute [Specific Task]. - Utilized [Software/Tool] to improve [Process], saving [Time/Money you can verify]. - Collaborated with [Department] to launch [Product/Initiative]. [Previous Job Title] [Company Name] | [City, State] | [Month, Year] – [Month, Year] - Developed [System/Process] that improved [Metric] by [Verified Amount]. - Received [Recognition you actually received] for [Specific Achievement]. - Solved [Issue] by implementing [Solution]. EDUCATION [Degree Name, e.g., Bachelor of Science in Marketing] [University Name] | [City, State] [Graduation Month, Year] CERTIFICATIONS - [Certification Name] - [Issuing Organization] ([Year]) - [Certification Name] - [Issuing Organization] ([Year])

Why This Structure

1. Standard Headings

Conventional headings such as "Experience" or "Work History" are easy for people and software to recognize, and CareerOneStop's formatting guidance recommends conventional headings. Creative labels like "My Journey" give a reader or a parser less to go on.

2. Single-Column Layout

A single column gives your resume a linear reading order, so there is less chance that "Skills" and "Education" run together if a system reads the page differently than you expect. CareerOneStop also recommends a readable 10-12 pt font and a length of 1-2 pages.

3. Minimal Graphics

Headshots, charts, and icons add little to a text resume and give software more to misread. Plain text keeps the content easy to read in any system. If a parse does fail, some systems handle it gracefully: Greenhouse, for example, documents that an unparsed resume can stay attached to the candidate for manual entry. But you can't count on that for every employer.

Check Your Resume

Once you've filled this out, you can run it through FilteredIn's free resume check. Paste or upload your resume (PDF or TXT) and, optionally, a job description, and you get feedback on content and keywords. The score is product feedback, not a prediction of any employer's ATS or decision.

Sources