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Templates7 min read

ATS Resume Templates for Freshers and Internship Applicants

How to choose an ATS-friendly resume template for freshers, interns, and early-career applicants without sacrificing readability.

ByVinay Parit• Core Team| Reviewed by: Hiring Team Experts
ATS Resume Templates for Freshers and Internship Applicants

Key takeaway

The best ATS template is the one that makes your strongest evidence easy to parse and easy to skim.

Summary

Fresher and internship resumes should favor simple, single-column templates with strong hierarchy, clear section labels, and room for projects. Clean structure beats flashy design when the goal is shortlisting.

What makes a resume template ATS-friendly

An ATS-friendly template uses a predictable reading order, standard section labels, and text that can be parsed cleanly. It should help both the software and the recruiter find the same signals.

  • Single-column layout for most early-career users.
  • Clear headings and conventional section names.
  • Readable font sizes and spacing.
  • No icons, charts, or tables in critical content areas.

What freshers should prioritize in a template

Freshers need space for projects, skills, coursework, and internships. The layout should highlight evidence of potential rather than forcing the resume into a design-led format.

The best template style by use case

  • Internship applications: one-page, project-first layout.
  • Campus placements: ATS-minimal format with skills near the top.
  • Freelancers moving to full-time: template with project/client emphasis.
  • 0-3 years experience: template with stronger experience hierarchy.

How to choose the right template on MakeResume

Start with the role, not the design. Choose from our ATS-friendly resume templates that best support your target job, then build and tailor the content inside our AI resume builder to match the job description.

Checklist

  • [ ] Use a one-page format for students and most freshers.
  • [ ] Prefer a single-column layout unless readability stays excellent.
  • [ ] Place Skills and Projects above less important information.
  • [ ] Check parsing with a free ATS resume checker before applying.
  • [ ] Match template tone to the industry, but keep it clean.

FAQs

Which resume template is best for ATS?

For most freshers and interns, a simple single-column template with clear section labels and no complex design elements is the safest choice.

Can a two-column resume pass ATS?

Sometimes, but it is less reliable. For early-career applicants, single-column layouts are usually the safer option.

Should freshers use one-page resumes?

Yes. A one-page resume is usually the best format for students and freshers because it forces clarity and prioritization.

Next step

Choose a proven ATS-safe layout

Compare resume templates built for internships, freshers, and job switchers, then tailor one to your role.

View templatesTest ATS compatibility