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ATS-Friendly Resume Format: Layout, Fonts and File Type Rules

HireAI Career TeamPublished: Feb 10, 20266 min read

1. Why Single-Column Beats Two-Column Every Time

Two-column resumes look sleek in Figma or Canva, but ATS parsers read horizontally left-to-right across the page. When parsing a two-column resume, systems like Taleo and Workday often merge text from Column A and Column B into nonsensical sentences, mangling job titles and company dates.

Key Action Points
  • Single-column ensures linear text parsing
  • Avoid tables and text boxes to prevent text omission

2. Safe Fonts and Typography Rules

Standard universal fonts prevent character-encoding glitches. Safe choices include Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Inter, Roboto, and Georgia. Maintain 10-11pt for body copy, 12-14pt for subheadings, and 18-22pt for your name.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom icons for phone and email?

Avoid replacing "Email:" or "Phone:" with graphic icons. Parsers cannot decode PNG/SVG icons and may skip your contact details altogether.