Pick a clean, professional template with a simple header and clear sections for contact, work history, skills, and certifications. Use a reverse-chronological layout so recent postal processing roles appear first, and keep columns minimal for ATS parsing.
Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of relevant experience. If you have long, relevant service time and certifications, use two pages but stay concise.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia. Set body at 10-12pt and headers at 14-16pt to make scanning easy.
Leave white space around sections and use consistent spacing for dates and job titles. Bulleted achievement lines help hiring managers scan quickly.
Avoid complex graphics, embedded tables, or multiple columns that can confuse ATS. Stick to plain text lists and standard headings like "Work Experience," "Skills," and "Certifications."
Common mistakes include dense text blocks, inconsistent date formats, and unclear job titles. Also avoid excessive color and non-standard fonts.
Structure each job with employer name, location, dates, job title, and 3-6 bullet points that show measurable results. For a Postal Service Mail Processor, mention throughput, accuracy, safety checks, machine types, and attendance.