Pick a clean, professional template that highlights hands-on experience and certifications. Use a reverse-chronological layout so recent flight test projects and maintenance work sit first. That layout reads well and parses reliably for ATS.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of flight test work. Use two pages only when you have long, relevant test programs, certifications, and publications. Be concise and show results and safety records.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Leave consistent white space and 0.5–0.75in margins so a hiring manager can skim quickly.
Organize sections with clear headings: Contact, Summary, Certifications, Experience, Technical Skills, Education, and Flight Test Projects. Put certifications like A&P, NDI, and flight test-specific courses near the top. Use short bullet points with action verbs and measurable outcomes.
Avoid complex columns, images, and embedded charts. Those elements often confuse ATS and break alignment. Stick to simple lists and plain text for job titles and dates.
Common mistakes include inconsistent dates, long paragraphs, and too many fonts. Don't overuse color or icons. Don't hide key skills inside images or PDF form fields.
Proofread dates, cert numbers, and acronyms. Use consistent tense: present for current roles and past for previous roles. That small detail makes your file look sharp and professional.