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Templates

ATS-safe resume templates, free and in plain text

Readable in full on every page — no gate to view · Why plain text wins →

Quick answer

The safest resume template for ATS screening is a single-column, plain-text layout with standard section titles, contact details in the body, and month/year dates. Below are five free templates built on those rules — one universal and four role-specific versions with recruiter-searchable keyword sections. Copy them straight from the page; no signup needed to read them.

Data verified: 2026-07

Any role

ATS Classic Resume Template (Universal, Plain Text)

A single-column, plain-text resume template that parses cleanly in every major ATS. Copy it, fill the brackets, export as .docx or text-based PDF.

  • Standard section titles ATS parsers are trained on
  • Bullet formula with weak vs. strong examples
  • Copy-paste friendly: works in Word, Google Docs, any editor
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Software Engineer

Software Engineer Resume Template (ATS-Safe, 2026)

Plain-text software engineer resume template with a recruiter-searchable stack section, AI-tooling block, and scale-first bullet formulas.

  • Stack section grouped the way recruiters actually search
  • AI Tooling block — a 2026 keyword area most templates lack
  • SWE bullet formula: verb + build + stack + scale + impact
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Product Manager

Product Manager Resume Template (ATS-Safe, 2026)

Outcome-first product manager resume template: every bullet slot demands a metric, with discovery, experimentation, and stakeholder language built in.

  • Outcome-first bullet slots (metric required by design)
  • 2026 AI/LLM feature-scoping skills block
  • Attribution honesty rule — survives interview probing
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Marketing

Marketing Resume Template (ATS-Safe, 2026)

Channel-and-tool searchable marketing resume template covering growth, performance, content, and lifecycle roles, with ROAS/CAC bullet formulas.

  • Channels and tools listed the way recruiter searches work
  • Every bullet slot carries ROAS/CAC/CVR or budget scale
  • Platform-attributed vs. blended attribution note included
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Data Analyst

Data Analyst Resume Template (ATS-Safe, 2026)

SQL-forward data analyst resume template where every bullet ties an analysis method to the business decision it drove.

  • SQL visible in Skills AND bullets (the #1 analyst search term)
  • Method → decision → outcome bullet structure
  • Portfolio/projects slot for career changers
View template →

FAQ

Are fancy resume templates bad for ATS?

Design-heavy templates with columns, tables, icons, or graphics are the leading cause of parsing failures. If a role judges design (e.g., UX), keep two versions: a portfolio-grade one for humans and a single-column one for online applications.

Should I use .docx or PDF?

Follow the job posting first. When it doesn't specify, a text-based PDF preserves layout; .docx parses reliably everywhere. Never submit an image-based (scanned) PDF.

Why plain text templates?

Plain text is the format the ATS ultimately sees. Starting from plain text and adding minimal styling in Word or Google Docs guarantees nothing breaks in parsing — the reverse (de-styling a designed template) is where errors hide.