Top 10 Resume Templates That Pass ATS in 2025

In the competitive job market of 2025, your resume is often your first impression, but it's rarely seen by human eyes first. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the gatekeepers, scanning and filtering resumes before they ever reach a recruiter. To ensure your application makes it through this initial hurdle, using an ATS-friendly resume template is paramount. These templates are designed to be easily parsed by software, ensuring all your valuable information is captured and your resume gets a fair chance.

What Makes a Resume ATS-Friendly?

Before diving into specific templates, it's crucial to understand the characteristics that make a resume ATS-friendly:

  • Simple and Clean Design: Avoid complex graphics, tables, text boxes, or intricate layouts. ATS software struggles to read these elements, often misinterpreting or omitting crucial information.
  • Standard Headings: Use conventional headings like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Summary," and "Contact Information." Custom or creative headings can confuse the ATS.
  • Common Fonts: Stick to widely recognized and readable fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Fancy fonts can render incorrectly or be unreadable by the ATS.
  • Keyword Optimization: While the template itself doesn't add keywords, an ATS-friendly template allows for easy integration of keywords from the job description. Ensure your skills and experience sections are rich with relevant terms.
  • Reverse Chronological Format: This is generally the most ATS-compatible format, listing your work experience from most recent to oldest.
  • Standard File Formats: Always save your resume as a .docx (Word document) or a plain text file (.txt) unless the job application specifically requests a PDF. While many ATS can read PDFs, some older systems may struggle.

Top 10 Resume Templates That Pass ATS in 2025

Here are some of the best types of resume templates and where you can find them, all designed with ATS compatibility in mind:

1. The Classic Reverse Chronological Template

This is the gold standard for ATS compatibility. It's straightforward, easy to read for both machines and humans, and highlights your career progression clearly.

  • Where to Find: Microsoft Word templates, Google Docs templates, JobFit.cv, Jobscan, Resume.io, MyPerfectResume.

2. Simple and Minimalist Templates

These templates prioritize readability and clean lines, making them ideal for ATS parsing. They focus on content over elaborate design.

  • Where to Find: Canva (look for

minimalist designs), Resume.io, Enhancv.

3. Professional One-Page Templates

For those with less experience or aiming for roles where brevity is valued, a well-structured one-page resume can be highly effective and ATS-friendly, provided it contains all necessary information.

  • Where to Find: Kickresume, Resume.io, MyPerfectResume.

4. Google Docs Resume Templates

Google Docs offers several built-in resume templates that are inherently ATS-friendly due to their simple formatting and common fonts. They are easy to edit and share.

  • Where to Find: Directly within Google Docs (e.g.,

"Spearmint," "Serif," "Coral").

5. Microsoft Word Resume Templates

Similar to Google Docs, Microsoft Word provides a variety of basic resume templates that are generally ATS-compliant. These are widely used and recognized.

  • Where to Find: Directly within Microsoft Word, Microsoft Create.

6. Chronological Resume Templates

This format emphasizes your work history in reverse chronological order, making it easy for ATS to parse and recruiters to quickly see your career progression.

  • Where to Find: Jobscan, Resume.io, Novoresume.

7. Functional Resume Templates (Use with Caution)

While generally less ATS-friendly due to their focus on skills over chronology, some modern functional templates are designed to be more parsable. Use these only if you have significant career gaps or are making a major career change, and ensure they still include a clear chronological work history section.

  • Where to Find: MyPerfectResume, Resume.io (look for hybrid options).

8. Hybrid/Combination Resume Templates

These templates combine elements of both chronological and functional formats, often starting with a strong skills summary followed by a detailed chronological work history. They can be ATS-friendly if structured clearly.

  • Where to Find: Resume.io, Enhancv, MyPerfectResume.

9. ATS-Optimized Templates from Resume Builders

Many online resume builders specifically advertise and design their templates to be ATS-friendly, often incorporating features that help with keyword optimization and proper formatting.

  • Where to Find: Jobscan, Kickresume, Resume.io, MyPerfectResume, Enhancv, JobFit.cv.

10. Basic Text-Based Templates

For ultimate ATS compatibility, a plain text resume is always an option. While not visually appealing, it guarantees that the ATS will read every word. Many online applications allow you to paste a plain text version of your resume.

  • Where to Find: You can create one in any basic text editor (e.g., Notepad) or by saving your Word document as a plain text file.

Tips for Maximizing ATS Compatibility with Any Template

Even with the best template, your content matters. Here are additional tips:

  • Match Keywords: Always tailor your resume to each job description by incorporating relevant keywords naturally throughout your experience and skills sections.
  • Use Standard Section Headings: Stick to common headings like "Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Summary," and "Contact Information."
  • Avoid Graphics and Tables: These can confuse ATS. If you must include a portfolio, link to it rather than embedding images.
  • Proofread Meticulously: Typos and grammatical errors can be flagged by ATS or, worse, by human recruiters.
  • Save in .docx or ATS-Friendly PDF: Unless specified otherwise, .docx is generally the safest bet. Some modern ATS can handle PDFs well, but it's best to check the job application instructions.

By choosing an ATS-friendly template and meticulously optimizing its content, you significantly increase your chances of getting your resume past the initial automated screening and into the hands of a human recruiter. This strategic approach is key to a successful job search in 2025.