Pick a clean, professional template that puts your flight credentials front and center. Use a reverse-chronological layout if you have steady flight experience. If you switch careers or have gaps, use a functional layout to highlight certifications and hours.
Keep length tight. One page usually works for entry and mid-career pilots. Use two pages only if you have long command experience, type ratings, or airline seniority records.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep margins and line spacing consistent so the document breathes.
List clear headings: Contact, Summary, Certifications, Flight Hours, Type Ratings, Experience, Education, and Medicals. Put total flight hours near the top so recruiters see it fast.
Avoid fancy graphics, heavy colors, and multi-column designs. Those elements break parsing and distract pilots reviewing log-like details. Use simple bullet points and action verbs to describe duties and outcomes.
Watch these common mistakes: using columns or text boxes that break ATS parsing, cramming too much text into small fonts, and mixing many fonts or colors. Don’t bury type ratings or your ATP certificate in the middle of long paragraphs.
Use consistent date formats and job titles. Put airline or employer names first, then role and dates. Keep each role to three to six bullets focused on safety, procedures, leadership, or technical outcomes.