Career Documents
Designed Resume vs ATS Friendly Resume: Which One Should You Use?
27 August 2026 at 7:00:00 pm
A designed resume can look impressive, but an ATS friendly resume may perform better when applying online. Here’s the difference, when each format works best and how to choose the right resume for your application.
Designed Resume vs ATS-Friendly Resume: What’s the Difference?
A resume can look fantastic and still struggle during the first stage of recruitment. That’s where the difference between a designed resume and an ATS friendly resume becomes important.
Both can be professionally written and visually polished, but they serve different purposes.
The right choice depends on where you are applying, how the employer receives applications and the type of role you are targeting.
For Australian job seekers applying through online job boards, recruitment portals or larger organisations, an ATS friendly resume is often the safer option. A designed resume may work better for direct applications, networking or industries where presentation plays a bigger role.
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
An ATS friendly resume is structured so Applicant Tracking Systems can easily read and process the information.
These systems may be used by employers and recruiters to organise applications and identify information such as job titles, qualifications, skills and relevant keywords.
ATS friendly resumes generally use clear section headings, straightforward formatting and a logical structure. The focus remains on making the information easy for both recruitment software and people to understand.
They are particularly useful for:
online job applications
government and corporate roles
larger organisations
recruitment agencies
high volume recruitment processes
The first resume example below shows this approach. It remains professional and well presented while keeping the content clear and structured..
What is a designed resume?
A designed resume puts more emphasis on visual presentation and personal branding.
It may include colour, icons, columns, timelines, logos or other graphic elements.
The second example below demonstrates this style with a stronger visual hierarchy and more design-led presentation.
Designed resumes can work particularly well for:
creative industries
direct applications
networking and referrals
personal branding
applications viewed directly by a hiring manager
The key is making sure the design supports the information rather than distracting from it.
They can also be particularly effective when the resume will be viewed directly by a person rather than processed through an automated recruitment platform.
Which resume format should you choose?
The best format usually depends on how you are applying.
If you are submitting your resume through SEEK, an employer recruitment portal or another online application system, an ATS friendly format is generally the safer choice.
For direct applications, referrals, networking or roles where visual presentation is important, a designed resume may be more suitable.
What matters more than the design?
Regardless of the format, strong content still matters most.
Your resume should clearly communicate your experience, achievements, skills and suitability for the role. It should also be tailored to the type of work you are targeting rather than simply listing every responsibility from previous jobs.
At NK Collective, we create both ATS friendly resumes and professionally designed resumes depending on the client, industry and application method.
The strongest resume is the one built for the role, the employer and the way you are applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ATS friendly resume and a designed resume?
An ATS friendly resume is built with a simple, structured layout that makes it easier for Applicant Tracking Systems to read and process. A designed resume places more emphasis on visual presentation, using elements such as colour, icons, columns and graphics.
Both can be effective, but the best choice depends on how and where you are applying.
Can a designed resume still pass an ATS?
Yes, it can, but it depends on how the resume has been built. Some designed resumes are still readable by ATS software, while others may cause issues if they rely heavily on text boxes, graphics, complex columns or images containing important information. The underlying structure matters more than whether the resume simply looks attractive.
Should I use an ATS-friendly resume when applying through SEEK or online job portals?
In most cases, yes. If you are applying through SEEK, a company careers page, recruitment portal or large organisation, an ATS friendly format is generally the safer option because your resume may be processed by recruitment software before it reaches a person.
Is it worth having both an ATS friendly resume and a designed resume?
For some job seekers, yes. An ATS friendly resume can be used for online applications, while a more designed version can be useful for direct applications, networking, referrals or industries where presentation and personal branding are more important.
