ATS guides
ATS-Friendly Resume Format: PDF vs DOCX and Layout Rules
The ATS-friendly resume format that still looks professional: file type, fonts, sections, and layouts that survive Workday and Greenhouse.
By Abdelmonaim Mouhalhal · 8 min · updated 7/22/2026
An ATS-friendly resume format is boring on purpose. Recruiters skim design; machines need structure.
File type
- Preferred: .docx from Google Docs or Word
- OK: PDF with selectable text
- Avoid: image-only PDF, heavy Canva exports
Layout rules
- Single column body
- Contact info in the body (not only header/footer)
- Simple bullets
- Standard fonts: Calibri, Arial, Garamond, 10–12 pt
- Margins ≥ 0.5 inch
Section names that parse
Use plain labels: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. Clever names like “Where I’ve Made Impact” confuse parsers.
After formatting, run MyATSCheck to confirm blockers are gone before you apply.
Key takeaways
- DOCX or text PDF usually beats designer image PDFs.
- One-column layouts with standard section titles parse more reliably.
- Skip tables, icon-only contact, and text-in-graphics for ATS uploads.
FAQ
Is PDF or Word better for ATS?
DOCX is often safest. A text-based PDF from Word usually works. Designer PDFs from Canva are risky.
Are two-column resumes ATS friendly?
Often no. Many parsers read columns out of order or skip the sidebar entirely.
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