Pick a clean, single-column template that highlights technical roles and field projects. Use reverse-chronological order so recent rig and wellbore experience appears first.
Keep length tight. One page usually fits if you have under 10 years of experience. Take a second page only if you led major drilling programs or managed many rigs.
Choose simple, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri or Arial. Use 10–12pt for body text and 14–16pt for headings.
Keep margins at least 0.5 inches and add space between sections. White space helps drilling supervisors and recruiters scan your skills and logs fast.
Avoid heavy graphics, multi-column layouts, and embedded images of charts. Those elements can confuse ATS and slow down human readers who just want your well targets and hit rates.
Use clear section headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Key Skills, Certifications, Education, and Relevant Projects or Well Records. Put certifications like BOSIET or Well Control near the top.
List tools and systems you use, like gyro surveys, MWD, steering software, and torque management. Use short bullets with metrics when possible, for example feet drilled per day or reduction in non-productive time.
Watch common mistakes. Don’t use odd fonts, excessive colors, or cramped lines. Don’t hide dates or use vague headings like "Responsibilities." Be specific and consistent with formatting across jobs.