Pick a clean, professional layout that highlights fieldwork, mapping, and publications. Use reverse-chronological order for most roles so recent field projects show first. Choose single-column templates for easy parsing by hiring managers and ATS.
Keep your resume concise. One page works for early-career geomorphologists. Use two pages only if you have long project lists, many publications, or major grants to show.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10-12pt and headers to 14-16pt. Keep line spacing at 1.0 to 1.15 and leave clear margins so content breathes.
Use clear section headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Field Projects, Technical Skills, Education, Publications, and Certifications. List technical skills and software like GIS, remote sensing, and sediment analysis near the top.
Avoid columns, heavy graphics, and decorative fonts. Those elements break ATS parsing and distract reviewers. Use bullet lists for achievements and concise descriptions that show measurable results.
Common mistakes to avoid include dense text blocks, inconsistent spacing, and mixing fonts. Don’t use unusual section titles. Keep headings standard so ATS and humans find key info fast.
Label fieldwork entries with location, dates, your role, and methods used. Quantify results when you can, like survey area, sample counts, or erosion rates you measured. That lets your technical impact show clearly.