Choose a clean, professional layout for a Genealogist. Use reverse-chronological order so employers see recent research roles first.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of experience. Use two pages only if you have extensive casework, publications, or archival projects.
Pick ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10-12pt body text and 14-16pt headers for contrast.
Give each section clear headings: Contact, Summary, Research Experience, Education, Certifications, Projects, Publications, and Skills. Use bullet lists for duties and achievements so hiring managers scan quickly.
Leave enough white space around sections and between lines. Use consistent margins and spacing so the page looks organized and calm.
Avoid complex templates with multiple columns or images. Those layouts often break ATS parsing and hide key dates or employer names.
Watch common mistakes like inconsistent date formats, vague role descriptions, and long dense paragraphs. Quantify work where you can, for example, number of family trees reconstructed or records found.
Use standard section headings and simple formatting. That helps both human readers and applicant tracking systems find your skills fast.