What is New Jake's Resume (2026)?
The New Jake's Resume is a modernized version of the original Jake's Resume template, updated for 2026. It preserves the single-column, ATS-safe structure that made the original the de facto standard on r/EngineeringResumes, while updating the typography to sans-serif (Roboto or Inter), improving spacing for readability, adding support for dark-mode links, and optimizing section ordering for modern ATS parsers. The template is MIT-licensed and available as both LaTeX source and an editable web builder version. It is designed for software engineers applying to internships, new-grad roles, and mid-level positions at big tech companies (Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft) and startups.
Who it's best for
Software engineers, CS students, bootcamp grads, and new-grad SWE candidates who want the Jake's Resume layout with modern typography, updated spacing, and 2026 ATS optimizations. Also works for experienced engineers who want a clean, no-nonsense one-pager.
When to avoid it
Designers or creative professionals who need a portfolio-style resume. Non-English resumes that need right-to-left support. Engineers who prefer the original serif Computer Modern look.
ATS compatibility
Single-column, no tables, no text boxes, no images. Updated with sans-serif fonts (Roboto/Inter) that parse cleanly in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and Taleo. All section headings use standard terms. Tested against the latest ATS parser versions in 2026.
Structure
New Jake's Resume (2026) uses a single-column layout with the following sections, in order:
Header
Full name in bold (sans-serif), followed by phone, email, GitHub, LinkedIn, and website/portfolio on a single line. No photo, no icons. Links are styled for both print and dark-mode PDF viewers.
Education
University name, degree, graduation date (Month Year), GPA (if 3.5+). Relevant coursework listed inline. This section leads for students and new grads. For experienced engineers, it moves below Experience.
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].' Updated spacing for better scannability.
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. Updated to support project thumbnails in the web builder version.
Skills
Grouped by category: Languages, Frameworks, Tools, Cloud. Comma-separated, no proficiency bars or ratings. Updated with modern tech categories (AI/ML, Cloud, DevOps).
Why New Jake's Resume (2026) works
- Same ATS-safe single-column layout as the original Jake's Resume — tested against 2026 ATS parser versions.
- Updated sans-serif typography (Roboto/Inter) that is more readable on screen and in print than Computer Modern.
- Improved spacing and line-height for better recruiter scannability — the original was dense to a fault.
- Dark-mode link support — links display correctly in both light and dark PDF viewers.
- Modernized Skills section with AI/ML, Cloud, and DevOps categories that 2026 job descriptions expect.
- MIT-licensed — free for commercial use, modification, and redistribution.
- Available as both LaTeX source (for Overleaf) and a no-code web builder (for non-LaTeX users).
- Backward-compatible: if you have an existing Jake's Resume .tex file, you can drop in the new preamble without changing your content.
How to customize it
- 1Switch the font: the default is Roboto. Change \usepackage to Inter, Source Sans Pro, or Lato by modifying one line in the preamble.
- 2Adjust margins: the default 0.75-inch margins can be tightened to 0.5-inch if you need more space. Do not go below 0.5-inch — ATS parsers may cut off content.
- 3Reorder sections: move Experience above Education once you have 2+ years of full-time work. The template supports both orderings out of the box.
- 4Add a summary: insert a 1-2 line summary below the header for senior/staff engineer roles. Skip it for new-grad positions.
- 5Change the accent color: links and section rules default to a dark navy. Change to charcoal, dark blue, or leave black. Avoid bright colors.
- 6Enable dark-mode links: set \darkmode true in the preamble for PDF viewers that support dark mode. Links will display in a lighter shade.
- 7Use the web builder: if you don't know LaTeX, use the web builder version which produces the same output without writing any .tex code.
New Jake's Resume (2026) at a glance
| Format | LaTeX (.tex) + Web Builder |
|---|---|
| Columns | Single |
| ATS-safe | Yes — tested in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday (2026) |
| Font | Roboto (sans-serif, default) |
| License | MIT (commercial use allowed) |
| Page length | One page (designed for it) |
| Difficulty | Easy — web builder or Overleaf (one-click) |
| Cost | Free |
| Updated | 2026 (modernized typography and spacing) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Jake's Resume and the New Jake's Resume?
The New Jake's Resume (2026) uses the same single-column, ATS-safe structure as the original but updates the typography to sans-serif (Roboto/Inter), improves spacing and line-height for readability, adds dark-mode link support, and modernizes the Skills section with AI/ML, Cloud, and DevOps categories. The content structure is identical — you can migrate an existing Jake's Resume by swapping the preamble.
Is the New Jake's Resume ATS-friendly?
Yes. It is single-column with no tables, text boxes, images, or icons. Standard section headings (Education, Experience, Projects, Skills) are used. We tested it against the latest 2026 versions of Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and Taleo — all parsed the content correctly. Export as PDF with selectable text, never as an image.
Can I migrate from the original Jake's Resume to the new version?
Yes. Copy your content (Education, Experience, Projects, Skills sections) into the new template. The custom commands (\resumeItem, \resumeSubheading) are the same. Only the preamble (font, spacing, colors) changes. The migration takes about 5 minutes.
Do I need to know LaTeX to use the New Jake's Resume?
No. The web builder version lets you fill in your information in a browser and export to PDF with no LaTeX knowledge. If you prefer LaTeX, the .tex source is available and works on Overleaf as a one-click template.
Which font should I use with the New Jake's Resume?
The default is Roboto, which is clean, modern, and ATS-safe. Alternatives: Inter (slightly more geometric), Source Sans Pro (slightly more traditional), or Lato (warmer). All are free on Google Fonts and work with the template's \usepackage declaration.
Should I use the original Jake's Resume or the New version?
Use the New version if you want modern typography, better spacing, and 2026 ATS optimizations. Use the original if you prefer the classic Computer Modern serif look or if you are submitting to a conservative company that expects traditional resumes. Both are ATS-safe and MIT-licensed.
Is the New Jake's Resume free for commercial use?
Yes. The template is MIT-licensed, same as the original. You can use, modify, and distribute it commercially with no restrictions. Include the license notice if you redistribute the template itself.
Can I use the New 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 or finance, consider the Harvard template. For creative roles, consider a visual portfolio resume.
Does the New Jake's Resume support dark mode?
Yes. The template includes a \darkmode toggle in the preamble. When enabled, links display in a lighter shade that is visible in dark-mode PDF viewers (macOS Preview, Firefox PDF Viewer). This does not affect ATS parsing — ATS reads the text content regardless of link color.
Where can I find examples of the New 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. The Overleaf template gallery shows a preview of the compiled PDF.