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Standard CV Format for Job

by Editorial Team, Mployee.me

15th December, 2023
6 min Read
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When applying for a job, it's important to create a resume that not only impresses hiring managers but also passes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). An ATS is a software used by companies to scan and filter resumes for keywords and relevant information before human eyes review them. To increase your chances of landing an interview, it's essential to understand the key elements to include in your ATS Resume. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential sections, formatting strategies, and best practices to create an effective ATS resume.

Important Sections for ATS Resumes

An ATS resume should contain specific sections that highlight your qualifications and experiences. By organizing your standard resume thoughtfully, you can ensure it is ATS-friendly and stands out to potential employers. Here are the important sections you should include:

 

  • Contact Information: Begin your resume with your contact information, including your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL. Make sure to use a professional email address and double-check for any typographical errors.

 

  • Resume Summary: If you have more than 2 years of experience, only then you should add a Resume Professional Summary in your Resume. A short summary should follow your contact information. This section should briefly describe your career goals, qualifications, and relevant skills in 80 words. Tailor your summary to the specific job you are applying for, using keywords found in the job description.

 

  • Work Experience: Highlight your previous work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Clearly state your job titles, company names, dates of employment, and provide a concise description of your responsibilities and achievements in each role. Use bullet points and action verbs to make this section easy to read and scan.

 

  • Education: Include your educational background, listing your highest degree first. Mention the name of the institution, degree obtained, and graduation date. If you have completed any relevant certifications or training programs, make sure to include them here as well.


  • Skills: List your relevant skills, both hard and soft, that are important for the job you are applying for. ATS systems often look for specific keywords, so make sure to include relevant terms from the job description. Organize your skills into distinct categories, such as technical skills, programming languages, or leadership abilities.

 

  • Achievements and Awards: If you have received any notable achievements, honors, or awards throughout your career, consider including them in a separate section. This can help to distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your accomplishments.

 

  • Additional Sections: Depending on your industry and the job you are applying for, you may want to include additional sections such as publications, professional affiliations, volunteer work, or language proficiencies. However, be cautious not to overload your resume with irrelevant information.

Standard ATS Resume/CV Format

ATS Resume Formatting Strategies

In addition to the content of your resume, the formatting also plays a crucial role in optimizing it for ATS. Consider the following strategies to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly:

 

  • Use a standard format: Stick to a traditional, widely used resume format such as reverse chronological or functional. ATS systems are more likely to parse information accurately from standard formats compared to creative or visually appealing resumes.

 

  • Choose appropriate fonts and sizes: Opt for common, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use font sizes between 10 and 12 points for the main content and slightly larger fonts for section headings. This ensures readability both for humans and ATS systems.

 

  • Avoid fancy formatting: While it may be tempting to use fancy graphics, images, or tables to enhance the visual appeal of your resume, these elements can confuse ATS systems. Stick to simple formatting with clear headings, bullet points, and sufficient white space.

 

  • Optimize for keyword matching: Carefully review the job description and identify important keywords and phrases. Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your resume, especially in the skills and job description sections. This can improve your chances of passing the ATS screening.

 

  • Save your resume as a text-based PDF: When submitting your resume electronically, save it as a text-based PDF rather than using unconventional file formats or submitting a Word document. This ensures that the ATS can accurately parse the information and prevent formatting issues.

Proofread and Test your Resume

Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. Additionally, test your resume by uploading it to different ATS systems or using online resume screening tools. This can help you identify any formatting issues or missing keywords that may hinder your chances of getting through the ATS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Standard Resume

Creating a simple resume is not just a matter of choosing a proper layout. Many applicants commit the same set of mistakes that curb their chances of ever being noticed. A nice and well-structured standard curriculum vitae has to be optimized, at least in the ATS CV format, to pass the screening systems.

ATS CV Format Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid in ATS CV Format Resume

  • Tables, columns, or images that confuse the ATS
  • Outdated or irrelevant job experience
  • Ignoring keywords in the job description
  • Saving resumes in formats not friendly to ATS (always think about the full meaning of ATS in the resume)
  • Vague descriptions such as "hardworking", "team player", etc., without examples
  • Not customizing the standard resume format for each application
  • Fancy fonts or colors that make the ATS attachment barely readable
  • Not properly aligning sections and texts for parsing

All these are the pitfalls that one ought to dodge while building a standard resume for ATS screenings.

ATS Resume Template - Standard Format

Standard resume format is a safe way to proceed when making an ATS-ready resume. ATS systems are designed to scan content in a predicable structure; therefore, any variation from the standard organization could result in rejection of your resume.

An effective ATS CV format is composed of:

  • A typical standard resume format with clear-cut sections

  • Simple fonts such as Arial or Calibri with size between 10 and 12 pt

  • Contact information, Summary, Work Experience, Skills, and Education as the headers

  • Bullet points for listing responsibilities and accomplishments

  • Keywords applied here as given in the vacancy description

  • Parsing format of the text, ATS-friendly

  • Save the file as a text-based PDF or Word document-the full form of ATS must be kept in mind when preparing the resume

  • No logos, tables, graphics, or multi-columns

  • Relevance must be drawn from achievements enhancing the specifications of the job posting

  • Make sure that alignment and format remain consistent, just like a cv standard.


This format of the resume is accepted almost everywhere, and it increases the chance of getting recognized.


Resume Template for Freshers

For the newly graduated and those with little work experience, a standard resume format is concerned with showing potential and education background. A well-organized standard cv can lead a hiring manager and ATS system to what matters.

The fresher's standard resume format should include:

  • Contact info in accordance with the cv standards

  • A short career objective, related to the job

  • Education placed before the experience

  • Academic projects, internships, or volunteer programs providing practical exposure

  • A categorized skills section using keywords from the job listing

  • Certifications or courses to back up the claims

  • Formatting clean and consistent with parsing ATS cv format

  • Saving the file in .docx or PDF, always keeping the full form of ATS in the resume in mind

  • Clear section headers and bullet points with high clarity

  • No excessive stylizing or creative fonts

Your Name Here • One‐Page Resume

Your Name Here

email@example.com | +91 XXXXXXXXXX | linkedin.com/in/yourprofile/
CAREER OBJECTIVE

Recent graduate seeking an entry-level role in [Target Job/Industry]. Eager to apply strong academic knowledge and practical exposure from projects and internships to contribute effectively and grow professionally.

EDUCATION

XYZ University

Aug 2021 – May 2025
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science

ABC Senior Secondary School

Jun 2019 – May 2021
Higher Secondary Certificate (Science Stream)
PROJECTS & INTERNSHIPS

Data‐Driven Campus Resource Dashboard

Jan 2024 – May 2024
  • Developed an interactive dashboard using Python and Excel to visualize classroom occupancy and library usage patterns.
  • Integrated data from multiple sources and cleaned over 50,000 records for accuracy.
  • Presented findings to faculty, resulting in a plan to optimize study‐space allocation by 10%.

Customer Behavior Analysis with Python

Aug 2023 – Dec 2023
  • Analyzed online retail transaction data (20,000+ records) using Pandas and Matplotlib to identify purchasing trends.
  • Performed customer segmentation and recommended targeted marketing strategies.
EXPERIENCE

Volunteer – Community Outreach Program

Jan 2023 – Apr 2024
  • Assisted organizing community events focused on digital literacy for underprivileged students.
  • Managed social media outreach, increasing attendance by 25% through targeted posts and emails.
  • Prepared weekly progress reports to ensure transparency and improved planning.
SKILLS
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Data Analysis
  • Problem Solving
  • Team Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
CERTIFICATIONS
  • Introduction to Python Programming – Coursera – Dec 2023
  • SQL for Data Science – edX – Mar 2024

Resume Template for Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals should base their standard resumes on a results-oriented approach with responsibilities and growth. A well-written standard resume allows recruiters to scan achievements quickly while conforming to the ATS standards of the resume format.

The typical format for a standardized resume of present-day applicants might include:

  • A brief summary highlighting total experience and major strengths

  • Reverse-chronological account of roles and companies

  • Bullet-pointed accomplishments with quantifiable results employing strong action verbs

  • Separate section for skills focused on technical and soft skills relevant to the job

  • Optional sections for certifications, awards, or further training

  • Formatting that respects resume standard and ATS compatibility

  • Avoidance of images, tables, or design-heavy elements

  • Use job titles that are accurate and consistent with terms used in the industry

  • Use of keywords found overwhelmingly in job descriptions when describing responsibilities

  • Last review to ensure ATS standards for full-form resume respect conversion while proper file saving

The standard resume format thus ensures greater visibility and, in turn, strengthens credibility in front of the software and recruiters.


Alex Morgan • Experienced Professional Resume

Alex Morgan

alex.morgan@example.com | +1 (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexmorgan
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven marketing leader with over 5 years of progressive experience in digital strategy, brand growth, and team leadership. Expert at executing data-driven campaigns that increased lead generation by 35% and boosted ROI by 20%. Skilled at aligning marketing initiatives with business objectives to drive measurable growth.

EXPERIENCE

Marketing Manager – BrightWave Digital

Jan 2022 – Present
  • Led a team of 5 marketers to develop multi-channel digital campaigns, increasing website traffic by 50% and lead conversions by 30% year-over-year.
  • Managed Google Ads and Facebook campaigns with a monthly budget of $50K, optimizing targeting and creatives to reduce cost-per-acquisition by 20%.
  • Developed and implemented SEO strategy boosting organic search traffic by 40% within 8 months.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with sales and product teams to enhance lead quality and align marketing goals with business objectives.

Digital Marketing Specialist – Blue Horizon Media

Jun 2019 – Dec 2021
  • Executed targeted paid search and social media advertising campaigns, improving ROI by 25% through continuous A/B testing.
  • Created and managed email marketing workflows resulting in an 18% increase in open rates and 12% increase in click-through rates.
  • Produced diverse marketing content including blogs, infographics, and videos to support strategic campaigns.
  • Monitored and analyzed campaign performance with Google Analytics and marketing automation tools to inform decision-making.
SKILLS
  • SEO & SEM
  • Google Ads & Analytics
  • Content Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Social Media Management
  • PPC Campaigns
  • Marketing Automation
  • Copywriting & Editing
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Team Leadership
CERTIFICATIONS
  • Google Ads Search Certification – Google (2023)
  • HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification – HubSpot Academy (2022)
  • Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) – Google (2023)
ACHIEVEMENTS
  • Increased lead generation by 35% through targeted multi-channel campaigns at BrightWave Digital.
  • Recognized as Employee of the Quarter for outstanding campaign results and team leadership (Q2 2023).

Resume Template for Freelancers

Freelancers encounter peculiarities while designing a standard resume format due to project-based work. The functional and clean standardized resume format helps both ATS and hiring managers realize and see the value.

A strong freelancer's standard CV will have:

  • A short summary highlighting core freelance skills and industries served

  • A breakup of projects by type or skill set instead of chronological job for a resume

  • Some mention of freelance platforms or dealing directly with clients

  • One headline for all the technical tools used and deliverables via which the projects were completed

  • Bullet points to state the outcomes and client benefits

  • Links to a portfolio or testimonials, in case they apply

  • Formatting according to the ATS resume format

  • Each section having clear and consistent headings

  • Project-related keywords used regularly

  • File format according to the ATS full form.

Freelancers almost always need to stick to a good standard resume format that feeds well into resume parsing systems and gets their worth across.


Alex Morgan • Freelancer Resume

Alex Morgan

alex.morgan@example.com | +1 (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexmorgan
SUMMARY

Freelance digital marketer with over 6 years’ experience serving clients in tech, retail, and healthcare industries. Expert in SEO, PPC, content creation, and social media management. Skilled in delivering results-driven campaigns and building strong client relationships via platforms like Upwork and direct contracts.

PROJECTS BY SKILL SET

SEO & Content Marketing Projects

E-commerce SEO Revamp (Jan 2023 – Mar 2023)
  • Improved organic traffic by 45% for an online retail client within 3 months through keyword research and on-page optimization.
  • Created content calendars and optimized blog posts leading to a 30% increase in engagement.
Healthcare Blog Strategy (Jun 2022 – Dec 2022)
  • Developed editorial strategy that increased monthly blog views by 50% and enhanced social media sharing.
  • Collaborated with medical experts to create authoritative, SEO-friendly content.

PPC & Paid Media Campaigns

Google Ads Campaign Management (Apr 2023 – Present)
  • Managed monthly ad budget of $25K, achieving a 20% reduction in cost-per-click and 35% increase in lead conversion.
  • Optimized ad copy and targeting to improve click-through rate by 15%.

Social Media & Email Marketing

Social Media Growth Strategy (Jan 2022 – Dec 2022)
  • Increased followers by 40% on Instagram and Facebook for lifestyle brand through targeted campaigns and influencer collaborations.
  • Designed email workflows boosting open rates by 22% and click rates by 18% for client newsletters.
TECHNICAL TOOLS & DELIVERABLES
  • Google Ads
  • Google Analytics
  • Ahrefs & SEMrush
  • Mailchimp & HubSpot
  • WordPress & Shopify
  • Canva & Adobe Photoshop
  • Upwork & Fiverr Platforms
PORTFOLIO & TESTIMONIALS

View my portfolio and client testimonials on alexmorganportfolio.com.

Resume Template for Career Change

Changing industries requires a standardized resume format that highlights transferable skills but remains clear. A perfectly structured standard resume format will definitely work in favor of the candidate, even if lacking direct experience.

In order to ensure an effective standard CV for career changers, the following must be present:

  • A customized summary statement about the motivation and transfer of skills behind the career change

  • Use of functional format, putting more emphasis on strengths and accomplishments than onto job titles

  • A separate section for transferable soft skills and hard skills

  • Related certifications, courses, or workshops

  • Structure that employs clear headers and logical flow of sections for ATS CV format

  • Various studies from former jobs with a focus on job responsibilities relevant to the new job

  • Industry-relevant keywords spliced throughout

  • Pick clean fonts and formatting in alignment to CV standards

  • Don't add design treatments, which interfere with ATS

  • Proper file formatting

Alex Morgan • Career Change Resume

Alex Morgan

alex.morgan@example.com | +1 (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexmorgan
SUMMARY

Motivated professional transitioning from digital marketing to project management, leveraging 6+ years of coordinating complex campaigns, team collaboration, and client relationship management. Skilled in strategic planning, communication, and problem-solving, with certifications in Agile and Scrum to support career shift.

Transferable Hard Skills

  • Project coordination & timeline management
  • Data analysis & performance tracking
  • Agile & Scrum methodologies
  • CRM & marketing automation tools
  • Budget planning and resource allocation

Transferable Soft Skills

  • Effective communication & stakeholder engagement
  • Problem-solving & critical thinking
  • Team leadership & collaboration
  • Adaptability & continuous learning
  • Time management & multitasking
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Digital Marketing Specialist
ABC Marketing Agency | Jan 2018 – Present
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver marketing projects on time and within budget.
  • Managed client communications to ensure clear expectations and project requirements.
  • Analyzed campaign data to optimize performance and guide decision-making.
  • Implemented Agile workflows for campaign planning improving team efficiency by 15%.
Marketing Coordinator
XYZ Corp | Jun 2014 – Dec 2017
  • Assisted in planning and execution of promotional events and campaigns.
  • Maintained detailed project documentation and progress tracking.
  • Collaborated with multiple departments to align marketing objectives.
  • Supported budgeting and resource allocation for marketing projects.
CERTIFICATIONS & COURSES
  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – Scrum Alliance
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) – PMI (in progress)
  • Agile Project Management – Coursera
  • Google Analytics Certification
Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard format for a CV?

A CV follows a standard format, presenting sections distinctly and clearly: Contact information, Resume summary, Work experience, etc. Education, and Skills. It runs in parallel with an ATS-friendly stylish resume in that the candidate is given the liberty to use plain fonts or bullet points and has to avoid photographs and tables. Thereby, it can be an ATS-following CV, and it is an easy scan-hit for recruiters.

What is the finest CV format?

How do I write a standard CV?

What is the most common CV mistake?

What does the simplest format of CV look like?

What are the 3 formats of CV?

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