The fastest way to make a resume in LaTeX is to start from a dedicated resume class like moderncv or altacv, fill in your sections, and compile to PDF. You can do this entirely in your browser with LetX — no downloads, no setup, just a polished PDF you can send to recruiters.

A LaTeX resume looks sharper than anything you can build in Word or Google Docs. The spacing is mathematically consistent, the typography is professional, and the output is a clean, ATS-readable PDF every single time. Here is how to build one.

Why Use LaTeX for a Resume?

Consistency: Margins, spacing, and alignment are handled by the typesetting engine, not by you fighting with the tab key.
Reusability: Keep one master .tex file and tweak a few lines to tailor it for each application.
Professional typography: Recruiters notice the difference between a Word document and a properly typeset resume.
Version control: Because it's plain text, you can track every change to your resume over time.

1. Choose a Resume Class

You don't need to design a resume from scratch. Battle-tested classes give you a professional layout instantly:

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper]{moderncv}
 
\moderncvstyle{classic}   % or 'banking', 'casual', 'oldstyle'
\moderncvcolor{blue}      % accent color
 
\usepackage[scale=0.8]{geometry}
 
\name{Jane}{Doe}
\title{Software Engineer}
\phone{+1 555 123 4567}
\email{jane.doe@email.com}
\social[linkedin]{jane-doe}
 
\begin{document}
\makecvtitle
% sections go here
\end{document}

Start from a template

Rather than hunting for the right class, open a ready-made resume template in LetX and just replace the placeholder text. Everything is pre-configured to compile on the first try.

2. Add Your Experience

moderncv gives you a \cventry command that formats each role consistently:

\section{Experience}
\cventry{2023--Present}{Senior Engineer}{Acme Corp}{Remote}{}{
  \begin{itemize}
    \item Led a team of 5 building a real-time data platform.
    \item Reduced API latency by 40\% through caching and query optimization.
  \end{itemize}
}
\cventry{2021--2023}{Engineer}{Startup Inc}{New York}{}{
  Built and shipped the company's first mobile app.
}

3. Add Skills and Education

\section{Education}
\cventry{2017--2021}{B.S. Computer Science}{State University}{}{GPA: 3.9}{}
 
\section{Skills}
\cvitem{Languages}{Python, TypeScript, Go, SQL}
\cvitem{Tools}{Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, PostgreSQL}

4. Keep It ATS-Friendly

Applicant Tracking Systems parse your PDF's text. To stay readable:

Avoid multi-column layouts that scramble parsing order.
Use standard section headings like Experience, Education, and Skills.
Export as a real, text-based PDF — which LaTeX always produces.

Watch your fonts

Some heavily designed resume classes embed decorative glyphs that ATS parsers choke on. Stick to standard fonts and test that your PDF text is selectable before submitting.

5. Compile and Download

Traditionally, compiling moderncv means installing a full TeX distribution and the right packages. With LetX, the packages are already installed — you edit, hit compile, and download a recruiter-ready PDF in seconds.

Build Yours Now

A LaTeX resume takes about twenty minutes to set up and pays off every time you apply for a job. Skip the local install and build it right in your browser.

Create your resume for free at LetX.app.

How to Make a Professional Resume in LaTeX (2026 Guide)