Pick a clean, professional template that shows your contracting experience clearly. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers and ATS see your recent contracts and vendor wins first.
Keep length to one page if you're early or mid-career. Use two pages only if you have long contracting records, major projects, or security clearances you must list.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text at 10–12pt and section headers at 14–16pt so readers can scan quickly.
Leave plenty of white space. Use consistent margins and 1.0–1.15 line spacing so your sections breathe and bullets stay readable.
Stick to simple formatting. Avoid multi-column layouts, embedded images, or text boxes that break ATS parsing and confuse reviewers.
Use clear, standard headings such as Summary, Experience, Projects, Certifications, and Education. Start each job entry with your role, employer, location, and dates.
Avoid these common mistakes: crowded text, varied fonts, hidden tables, and long paragraphs. Use bullet points with short action statements and measurable outcomes.
Highlight procurement wins, contract values, cost savings, and compliance achievements. Quantify them with dollars, percentages, or time saved when possible.