The short answer
Jake's Resume is the best resume template for software engineers: a clean, single-column, ATS-friendly LaTeX layout (MIT-licensed) that has become the industry standard. Overleaf hosts it for free. Deedy and the Harvard/Faangpath templates are strong alternatives for specific cases.
How we ranked them
We evaluated templates on ATS-parseability (single-column, standard fonts, no text-in-graphics), density (fitting real projects and impact on one page), engineer-recruiter familiarity, and ease of editing. Tech recruiters skim fast and ATS parsers are unforgiving, so plain, dense, single-column layouts win.
The ranking at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake's Resume | Most software engineers — new grads to senior | Free (MIT-licensed) |
| 2 | Deedy / Deedy-Resume-Reborn | Engineers with dense skills lists who want a two-column layout | Free (MIT-licensed) |
| 3 | Faangpath (single-column Word) | Word users who want a Jake-style template without LaTeX | Free |
| 4 | Harvard (classic single-column) | New grads and interns applying to traditional companies | Free |
| 5 | Rezi / Teal SWE templates | No-LaTeX engineers who want ATS-scored editing | Free / $29/mo |
| 6 | Enhancv tech templates | Design-forward portfolios for non-ATS applications | Free / ~$18/mo |
The full rankings
Jake's Resume
Best for: Most software engineers — new grads to senior
The safest default for any software engineer. If you don't know which template to use, use Jake's.
Pros
- Single-column, ATS-safe — tested in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday
- Industry standard recommended on r/EngineeringResumes
- MIT-licensed — free for commercial use
- Available on Overleaf as one-click template
Cons
- Requires LaTeX or Overleaf
- Serif font may feel dated to some
Deedy / Deedy-Resume-Reborn
Best for: Engineers with dense skills lists who want a two-column layout
Best for direct-to-recruiter applications and career fairs. Do not use for ATS submissions — use Jake's instead.
Pros
- Fits more content on one page than any single-column template
- Modern, visually dense layout
- Skills section is prominent and scannable
Cons
- Two-column — NOT ATS-safe
- May scramble in Greenhouse/Lever
- Requires LaTeX
Faangpath (single-column Word)
Best for: Word users who want a Jake-style template without LaTeX
Best Word-based alternative to Jake's Resume for engineers who don't want to learn LaTeX.
Pros
- Single-column, ATS-safe
- Word format — no LaTeX needed
- Clean, professional look
Cons
- Less dense than Jake's
- Fewer customization options
Harvard (classic single-column)
Best for: New grads and interns applying to traditional companies
Best for students and new grads applying to finance, consulting, or traditional companies. For tech, Jake's is better.
Pros
- Single-column, ATS-safe
- Education-first — ideal for students
- Word format
Cons
- No Projects section
- Conservative — may feel generic
Rezi / Teal SWE templates
Best for: No-LaTeX engineers who want ATS-scored editing
Best for engineers who want a visual builder with ATS scoring. Pair with Jake's for the actual template.
Pros
- Web builder — no LaTeX
- Real-time ATS scoring
- AI content suggestions
Cons
- Paid for full features
- Templates are conservative
Enhancv tech templates
Best for: Design-forward portfolios for non-ATS applications
Best for portfolios and direct-to-recruiter applications. Use single-column mode for ATS submissions.
Pros
- Beautiful designs
- Real ATS scoring
- Strong content suggestions
Cons
- Multi-column templates are ATS-risky
- More expensive
- PDF/TXT export only
How to choose
Start from what matters most to you. If it's the full pipeline — finding roles, tailoring resumes, and reaching hiring managers — start with the #1 pick. If you only need one piece (tracking, ATS scoring, or coding prep), the specialist tools above are better value.
For most software engineers, the best combination is: a find-to-apply tool (#1) for the pipeline, NeetCode for coding reps, and Levels.fyi for salary data. That covers the full loop without overlapping subscriptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best resume template for software engineers?
Jake's Resume is the best resume template for software engineers. It is single-column, ATS-friendly, MIT-licensed, and recommended on r/EngineeringResumes. It is available for free on Overleaf and GitHub.
Should I use LaTeX or Word for my software engineer resume?
LaTeX produces cleaner typography and is preferred in software engineering. Use Jake's Resume on Overleaf if you want LaTeX without installing it. Use the Faangpath Word template if you prefer Word. Both are ATS-safe.
Is the Deedy resume template ATS-friendly?
No. Deedy uses a two-column layout that can scramble in ATS parsers like Greenhouse and Lever. Use Deedy only for direct-to-recruiter applications, career fairs, or portfolio sites. For ATS submissions, use Jake's Resume.
Where can I download Jake's Resume template?
Jake's Resume is available for free on GitHub (jakegut/resume) and on Overleaf as a one-click template. It is MIT-licensed, so you can use and modify it freely. See our Jake's Resume template page for download links and a complete guide.