A single-column resume reads from top to bottom in one line of sight: header, summary, experience, education, skills. Because there is only one reading order, applicant tracking systems and screen readers parse it the same way a person does, which makes it the safest choice for large company portals and government job sites.
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It is also the easiest layout to edit in Word without anything shifting. These templates still vary a lot in look, from plain and classic to bold headings and colour bands, so you do not have to give up style to stay readable. Choose one that matches your field and the country you are applying in.
There is only one reading order, so the system reads your sections in the same sequence you wrote them. Two columns can be read across instead of down, which mixes sections together.
Yes. Colour bands, accent headings, monograms and careful typography all work in one column. The layout stays simple even when the styling does not.
A little, because short items like skills and languages sit in their own rows. Listing skills in a comma-separated line or a short grid keeps it compact.
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