How to Create a Professional Resume in LaTeX (Complete Guide 2026)
Date Published
Why Use LaTeX for Your Resume?
If you're wondering how to create a resume in LaTeX, you're already ahead of most job seekers. LaTeX produces crisp, professional documents that stand out from the crowd of Word resumes. Whether you're a software engineer, researcher, or recent graduate, a LaTeX resume signals attention to detail and technical competence.
Getting Started with Resume LaTeX
Creating a resume using LaTeX doesn't require years of experience. The basic structure is straightforward. You define your document class, set up your sections, and fill in your information. The beauty of LaTeX is that once you set up the formatting, you can focus entirely on content.
Choosing the Right Document Class
For resume LaTeX code, you have several options. The article class works for simple resumes. For more control, consider moderncv, a popular LaTeX package designed specifically for CVs and resumes. The moderncv package offers multiple themes and makes customization simple.
Essential Sections for Your LaTeX Resume
A strong resume includes your contact information, education, work experience, skills, and projects. In LaTeX, each section is clearly delineated with commands. This structure makes your resume easy to scan for both human recruiters and ATS systems.
Formatting Tips for Professional Results
Consistent spacing and alignment are crucial. LaTeX handles this automatically once you set your parameters. Use bold for company names and job titles. Keep descriptions concise with bullet points. Your resume should fit on one page for most industries.
Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. A well-structured LaTeX resume is naturally ATS-friendly because it produces clean, parseable text. Avoid complex tables or graphics that confuse these systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't overcomplicate your LaTeX code. Simple, clean formatting beats fancy designs. Ensure your PDF exports correctly with all fonts embedded. Test your resume by copying text from the PDF to verify ATS compatibility.
Free LaTeX Resume Templates
You don't need to start from scratch. Many free LaTeX resume templates are available online. Find one that matches your style and customize it with your information. This saves hours of formatting work.
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