Pick a clean, single-column template. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent tow and deck work shows first. That layout reads well and parses reliably by ATS systems.
Keep length tight. One page works if you have under 10 years on the water. Use two pages only if you have long service, certifications, or incident command history to list.
Choose simple, ATS-safe fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia. Set body text at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt. Keep line spacing around 1.0–1.15 and add extra space between sections so the text breathes.
Use clear headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Certifications, Skills, and Sea Time or Vessel Types. Put certifications and licenses near the top if they are required by the employer. Quantify sea hours, vessel size, and types of maneuvers when you can.
Avoid common mistakes. Don’t use multi-column layouts, images, or complex tables that ATS will misread. Don’t rely on color, icons, or nonstandard fonts that break parsing.
Watch formatting consistency. Align dates and job titles the same way across entries. Use bullets for duties and achievements, not long paragraphs, so a hiring manager can scan your experience fast.