Minimal ATS resume template
Minimal ATS is built for one job: getting through the strictest applicant tracking systems intact. Black text, one column, standard headings, no accent color. When a portal is old, picky or government-run, this is the safe choice.
- Best for
- Government, academia, large enterprises
- Layout
- Single column
- Type
- Sans-serif, accent color adjustable
- ATS
- Highest ATS safety
Free 7-day trial, no card. Switch templates any time.
What Minimal ATS does well
Nothing to trip a parser
No color, no columns, no decorative elements. Every line is plain text in the order a machine expects.
Prints and faxes cleanly
Pure black on white stays legible when it’s photocopied, printed in grayscale or re-exported by an HR system.
Lets the content work
With no styling to lean on, strong bullets stand out. It suits experienced candidates whose record speaks for itself.
- Government jobs
- Academia
- Large enterprises
- Healthcare systems
- Any old or strict job portal
Is Minimal ATS ATS-friendly?
The most conservative layout NovaCV offers: one column, standard section names, black text and no graphic elements. If you’re unsure how a portal will parse your resume, use this one.
Tips for writing in Minimal ATS
- Use the exact job title from the posting in your headline. Strict systems often match on title first.
- Spell out acronyms once, e.g. “Electronic Health Records (EHR)”, so both forms match a search.
- For US federal jobs, add hours per week and grade or salary level to each role; federal applications usually ask for them.
Before you send it, run it through the ATS resume checker, and tailor it to the job description you’re applying for.
Similar templates
All 8 templates →Build your resume in Minimal ATS.
Start from scratch with this template, or upload your CV and have it rewritten and laid out for you.
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