Pick a clear template that shows projects, survey dates, and technical skills up front. Use a reverse-chronological layout so employers see your most recent hydrographic work first.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of relevant work. Use two pages only if you led many surveys, managed teams, or published detailed reports.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt.
Give each section plenty of white space. Use 0.5–0.75 inch margins and consistent line spacing so readers scan your experience quickly.
Use standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Projects, Skills, Education, Certifications. Put key survey tools and software under Skills.
Avoid heavy graphics, multiple columns, and text boxes that break parsing. Keep dates on the right or directly after job titles for easy reading.
List quantifiable outcomes. Show meters surveyed, chart deliveries, safety records, or reduced survey time with sensors or workflows.
Watch common mistakes. Don’t use rare fonts or tiny text. Don’t cram two-column tables into your work history. Don’t overuse color or icons.
Save as a simple PDF and a plain-text copy for ATS checks. Proofread for units, coordinates, and acronyms. Keep entries concise and relevant to hydrographic work.