What is Jake's Resume?
Jake's Resume is an open-source LaTeX resume template published by Jake Gutierrez on GitHub (jakegut/resume). It has earned over 9,000 stars and become the de facto standard recommended on r/EngineeringResumes and r/cscareerquestions. The template uses standard LaTeX article class with custom commands like \resumeItem and \resumeSubheading, set in a serif body with bold section rules. It is MIT-licensed, so anyone can use, modify, and ship it commercially. The original lives on Overleaf as a one-click template, which is how most students first encounter it.
Who it's best for
Computer science students, bootcamp grads, and early-career software engineers applying to internships and new-grad SWE roles. Also works for experienced engineers who want a no-nonsense one-pager.
When to avoid it
Designers or creative professionals who need a portfolio-style resume. Two-column enthusiasts. Non-English resumes that need right-to-left support.
ATS compatibility
Single-column, no tables, no text boxes, no images. Standard section headings (Education, Experience, Projects, Skills). Parses cleanly in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and Taleo.
Structure
Jake's Resume uses a single-column layout with the following sections, in order:
Header
Full name in bold, followed by phone, email, GitHub, LinkedIn, and website on a single line separated by vertical bars. No photo, no icons.
Education
University name, degree, graduation date (Month Year), GPA (if 3.5+). Relevant coursework listed inline. This section leads for students and new grads.
Experience
Company name, job title, location, dates (Month Year — Month Year). 2-4 bullet points per role using the XYZ formula: 'Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].'
Projects
Project name in bold, 1-2 line description, technologies used, and a link (GitHub or live URL). Given equal weight to Experience for new grads.
Skills
Grouped by category: Languages, Frameworks, Tools. Comma-separated, no proficiency bars or ratings.
Why Jake's Resume works
- Single-column layout that ATS parsers read top-to-bottom without scrambling.
- Standard section headings (Education, Experience, Projects, Skills) that recruiters and ATS expect.
- Dense but readable — fits substantial content on one page without looking cramped.
- Serif body font (Computer Modern) is professional and recruiter-familiar in tech.
- MIT license means no restrictions on commercial use or modification.
- Battle-tested across thousands of real applications to Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.
How to customize it
- 1Change the font: replace \usepackage{...} in the preamble. Popular alternatives are Roboto, Lato, or Source Sans Pro for a more modern look.
- 2Adjust margins: the default 0.75-inch margins can be tightened to 0.5-inch if you need more space, but do not go below 0.5-inch — ATS parsers may cut off content.
- 3Add a summary: insert a 1-2 line summary below the header if you are a senior engineer. Skip it for new-grad roles.
- 4Reorder sections: move Experience above Education once you have 2+ years of full-time work.
- 5Change colors: the section rule color can be changed from black to a dark navy or charcoal. Avoid bright colors — they print poorly and look unprofessional.
- 6Remove the GitHub fork ribbon if you are not a developer — replace with a portfolio link or remove entirely.
Jake's Resume at a glance
| Format | LaTeX (.tex) |
|---|---|
| Columns | Single |
| ATS-safe | Yes — tested in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday |
| Font | Computer Modern (serif) |
| License | MIT (commercial use allowed) |
| Page length | One page (designed for it) |
| Difficulty | Medium — requires LaTeX knowledge or Overleaf |
| Cost | Free |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jake's Resume really ATS-friendly?
Yes. The template is single-column with no tables, text boxes, images, or icons. Standard section headings (Education, Experience, Projects, Skills) are used. We tested it against Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and Taleo — all parsed the content correctly without scrambling. The one caveat: export as PDF, never as an image, and ensure the PDF has selectable text.
Do I need to know LaTeX to use Jake's Resume?
Not necessarily. You can use it on Overleaf, which is a web-based LaTeX editor that requires no local installation. Overleaf lets you edit the .tex file in a browser and compile to PDF with one click. If you want to edit locally, you will need a LaTeX distribution like TeX Live or MacTeX.
Should I use Jake's Resume or the Harvard template?
Jake's Resume is better for software engineers and CS students because it gives Projects equal weight to Experience, which matters when you have limited work history. The Harvard template is better for business, finance, and consulting roles where a traditional single-column format with Education leading is expected. Both are ATS-safe.
Can I fit Jake's Resume on one page with 5+ years of experience?
Yes, but it requires editing. Reduce bullet points to 2 per role for older positions, remove the Projects section if your Experience is strong, and tighten margins to 0.5 inch. For 10+ years of experience, a second page is acceptable — but most engineers should aim for one page.
What font does Jake's Resume use?
The default is Computer Modern, the standard LaTeX serif font. It is professional and recruiter-familiar in tech. You can change it by modifying the \usepackage declaration in the preamble — popular alternatives are Roboto, Lato, or Source Sans Pro for a more modern sans-serif look.
Is Jake's Resume free for commercial use?
Yes. The template is MIT-licensed, which means you can use, modify, and distribute it commercially with no restrictions. The only requirement is to include the original license notice if you redistribute the template itself.
Should I include a photo on Jake's Resume?
No. The template does not include a photo, and you should not add one. Photos on resumes are discouraged in the US, UK, and Canada due to anti-discrimination laws and ATS incompatibility. Some European and Asian countries expect photos, but even then, a separate portfolio link is more effective.
How does Jake's Resume compare to Deedy's resume?
Jake's Resume is single-column and ATS-safe. Deedy's resume is two-column, which fits more content but can scramble in ATS parsers. Use Jake's for applications through ATS systems (Greenhouse, Lever, Workday). Use Deedy for direct-to-recruiter applications or career fairs where a human reads it first.
Can I use Jake's Resume for non-software-engineering roles?
The template works for any role, but it is optimized for technical positions. The Projects section is less relevant for non-technical roles. For business, finance, or consulting, the Harvard template may be more appropriate. For creative roles, consider a visual portfolio resume.
Where can I find examples of Jake's Resume filled in?
The GitHub repository includes an example resume.tex file. You can also search r/EngineeringResumes for 'Jake's resume' to see real examples shared by users. Overleaf's template gallery shows a preview of the compiled PDF.