Pick a clean, nautical-themed template that stays simple. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent towing and piloting roles appear first.
Keep your resume to one page if you have under 10-15 years of experience. Use two pages only if you list long sea service, certifications, and incident reports.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10-12pt and headers to 14-16pt so hiring managers scan easily.
Leave ample white space between sections. Use 0.3–0.5in margins and consistent line spacing so the document reads well on screen and on paper.
Label sections with standard headings: Contact, Summary, Certifications, Sea Service, Skills, Education, and References. Use bullet lists for duties and achievements on each vessel.
Avoid complex columns, heavy graphics, and embedded tables. Those elements confuse ATS and slow a hiring manager's read.
List certifications clearly with issuing authority and expiry dates. Put key endorsements, like Master of Towing or Radar Observer, near the top.
Watch for common mistakes. Don’t use nonstandard fonts or tiny text to squeeze more content. Don’t cram too many entries without highlighting impact or responsibility.
Keep verbs active and quantifiable. Note towing tonnage, miles steamed, number of escorts, or incident-free days. That tells a clearer story than vague phrases.