Pick a clean template that shows your coding work and problem solving. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers see your recent projects and roles first.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of relevant experience. Use two pages only when you have long, relevant project work or leadership in software initiatives.
Choose an ATS-friendly font like Calibri or Arial. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for section headers so each section reads easily.
Keep spacing consistent. Use 0.25–0.5in margins and single or 1.15 line spacing to keep white space around blocks of text.
Stick to simple formatting. Use clear section headings such as Summary, Work Experience, Projects, Skills, and Education. That helps both people and parsing software.
Avoid complex columns, text boxes, and images that break ATS parsing. Use bullet lists for achievements and short sentences for responsibilities.
Common mistakes to avoid: cluttered layouts, too many fonts, and overuse of color. Also avoid long paragraphs and vague phrases like "responsible for" without results.
For an IT Programmer, highlight concrete metrics and technologies. Show languages, frameworks, and one-line results for each project, like "reduced load time by 40%".