ATS-Friendly Resume Format for Freshers (With Template)

Use a single-column layout
Many ATS tools read line by line, so tables, text boxes, two-column designs, icons and skill-rating bars can scramble your content. Use Arial or Calibri with plain bullets. Export as PDF unless the job asks for .docx, and check that you can select and copy the text.
Use standard section headings
ATS looks for familiar headings. Freshers with strong projects can put Projects above Education.
```
Summary
Skills
Projects
Experience / Internships
Education
Certifications
```
Copy keywords from the job post
Note the exact skills and tools in the job description and use the same wording in Skills and Projects, but only for things you truly know and can explain in an interview.
```
JD says: REST APIs, Spring Boot, SQL
Write: Built REST APIs using Spring Boot and SQL
```
Write bullets as action + tool + result
Start with a verb, name the technology, and add a number only where you honestly have one. If you have no numbers, describe scale such as users, pages, modules or features.
```
Built a library app using React and Node.js with login and search
Reduced API response time by 30% by adding indexing in MySQL
```

Copy this one-page template

Keep it to one page and save the file as YourName_Role.pdf. Replace the placeholders with your own details.

YOUR NAME
City | Phone | Email | LinkedIn | GitHub

SUMMARY
BTech CSE fresher skilled in Java, SQL, React.

SKILLS
Languages: Java, Python, SQL
Tools: Git, VS Code, MySQL

PROJECTS
Project Name | Tech used
- Built X using Y to do Z

EDUCATION
BTech CSE, College, 2026, CGPA

Use a single-column layout

Use standard section headings

Copy keywords from the job post

Write bullets as action + tool + result

Copy this one-page template