A well-formatted resume is essential for standing out in competitive academic and tech fields. While Word and Google Docs are commonly used, LaTeX offers superior control over layout, section formatting, and professional presentation. Learning how to create a LaTeX resume can help students and professionals produce a clean, structured, and recruiter-friendly document. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to building your LaTeX resume from scratch or using templates.
Step 1: Set Up Your LaTeX Environment
Before you start, choose a platform to create your LaTeX resume:
- Online: Overleaf — beginner-friendly with ready templates.
- Offline: TeX Live (Windows/Linux/Mac) or MiKTeX (Windows).
- Editor Options: VS Code, TeXmaker, or TeXstudio.
Tip: Overleaf allows real-time PDF previews and easy collaboration, making it ideal for beginners.
Step 2: Choose a Template
Using a pre-built template saves time and ensures professional formatting. Templates often include sections for education, experience, projects, and skills.
Examples of Templates:
- Overleaf Academic CV Templates
- GitHub repositories like
Awesome-CVfor academic resumes
Step 3: Structure Your Resume
Divide your resume into clear, readable sections. Common sections include:
- Personal Information
\name{John Doe}
\address{123 Street, City, Country}
\email{johndoe@email.com}
\phone{+91 9876543210}
- Education
\section*{Education}
B.Tech in Computer Science, XYZ University, 2023-2027
- Experience
\section*{Experience}
\begin{itemize}
\item Interned at ABC Company, developing a machine learning model.
\item Assisted in data analysis for research projects.
\end{itemize}
- Projects
\section*{Projects}
\begin{itemize}
\item Sentiment Analysis Tool using Python and NLP.
\item Website redesign for local NGO using HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
\end{itemize}
- Skills
\section*{Skills}
Python, Java, HTML/CSS, Data Analysis, UI/UX Design
- Publications (Optional)
\section*{Publications}
Doe, J., & Smith, A. (2025). AI for Healthcare. Journal of AI Research.
Step 4: Formatting Tips
- Margins & Spacing:
\usepackage[margin=1in]{geometry}
- Lists & Bullets: Use
\begin{itemize}for readability. - Fonts & Styles: Stick to one or two fonts. Avoid excessive bold, italics, or colors.
- Hyperlinks: Use
\usepackage{hyperref}to add clickable links for emails, GitHub, or portfolios.
Step 5: Export & Test
- Compile your document to PDF.
- Check that all sections are readable and ATS-friendly (avoid embedding images for text).
- Verify links, alignment, and spacing.
Tip: Copy text from your PDF to ensure it’s selectable, which ensures ATS compatibility.
Step 6: Proofread and Finalize
- Check spelling and grammar. Tools like Grammarly can help.
- Ask a mentor or peer to review for clarity and relevance.
- Keep your resume concise — ideally 1 page for students, 2 pages for experienced professionals.
Creating a LaTeX resume may seem intimidating initially, but following these steps ensures a professional, structured, and recruiter-friendly document. By choosing the right template, structuring content effectively, and applying formatting best practices, your LaTeX resume will stand out in both academic and tech applications.