# ATS-Friendly Resume Formatting Rules
> Content gets interviews, but formatting gets your content into the ATS at all. Follow these rules before you apply.
**Published:** 2026-04-10
**Reading time:** 8 min
**Tags:** ATS, Formatting, Resume Tips
**URL:** https://www.cresumely.com/blog/ats-friendly-resume-formatting-rules
## Do

Safe choices:

- Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia
- Section labels: Experience, Education, Skills, Summary
- Bullet points for achievements
- Consistent date format: MM/YYYY or Month YYYY
- PDF export from a clean source document

## Avoid

Risky choices:

- Multiple columns for core content
- Icons instead of text for contact info
- Tables for layout
- Critical details only in header/footer
- Scanned image PDFs without text layer
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