Lever ATS Resume Format: What Works

Short answer

For Lever applications, upload a one-column, text-based PDF or DOCX with standard headings, plain text contact details and clear dates. Skip tables, columns, icons and graphics.

Because Lever forms are short, your resume carries most of the information the hiring team will see.

How Lever applications typically work

Lever is used by many tech and mid-sized companies. Its application pages usually ask for a resume, contact details and links, then let the platform pull information from the file.

Clear structure helps the extracted details appear correctly in your candidate profile.

Common mistakes that cause problems

• Two-column or sidebar layouts that scramble the reading order.
• Tables and text boxes used to align dates, skills or contact details.
• Contact details placed only in the header or footer.
• Icons instead of words for phone, email, location or LinkedIn.
• Skill bars, charts, photos and decorative graphics.
• Scanned or image-based PDFs with no selectable text.

Lever-specific tips

• Check the auto-filled name, email and phone after uploading.
• Add LinkedIn, GitHub or portfolio links in the dedicated form fields as well as on the resume.
• Put your most relevant experience first and keep bullets short.
• Use the optional 'additional information' box for a brief, tailored note.
• Avoid uploading a scanned or image-only PDF.

Recommended format checklist

• One-column layout, top to bottom.
• Standard headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
• Job title, company, location and dates on clear lines for each role.
• Consistent date format, for example 03/2022 – 05/2024.
• Plain bullet points with concrete results.
• Common fonts such as Arial, Calibri or Georgia, 10–12 pt.
• Contact details as plain text in the body of the page.
• Text-based PDF or DOCX, unless the job post asks for a specific format.

How to check your resume before applying

• Open your PDF and try to select and copy all the text. If you can't, it is probably image-based.
• Paste the copied text into a plain text editor and check that it reads in a logical order.
• Make sure your name, email, phone, job titles and dates appear correctly.
• If the portal pre-fills a form from your resume, review every field before submitting and fix what was misread.