Layout principles
Most parsers read top to bottom, left to right. Single-column main content is the safest default. Sidebar designs can work if the export keeps a logical text order — test by copying text out of your PDF and reading it aloud.
Use standard headings: Profile or Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Languages. Creative titles can confuse both parsers and humans.
Typography and spacing
Stick to common fonts (system sans-serif or serif). Avoid tiny type below 10pt. Use consistent date formats (e.g. Jan 2022 – Mar 2024). Enough white space helps humans; machines mostly care that characters are selectable text.
- Bold role titles and company names for scanability
- Use bullets for achievements, not long paragraphs in the experience section
- Keep hyperlinks as full URLs or clear link text
- Export PDF from your editor rather than scanning a printout
What to avoid
Graphics for skills (star ratings, bar charts), photos required by local custom except where expected, and important details locked in headers/footers. If you use a two-column template, verify the plain-text export still makes sense.
File format
PDF is standard for applications. Some employers still accept DOCX; if asked, send a clean Word export without text boxes. When a portal parses poorly, a plain-text paste backup can help — but design the source file to parse well first.