Free Resume Templates

Professional resume templates are best for experienced candidates, office roles, management positions, and traditional industries. These clean layouts give your work history, skills, and qualifications enough space and keeps your document easy to scan.

• Sleek, functional layout 
• “Sells” you as a strong candidate
• Suitable for all job titles 

Modern resume templates are ideal when you want a clean, current design without making your resume look too flashy. Use these layouts for tech, marketing, product, startup, creative, and business roles where presentation matters. 

• Chronological resume templates
• Made for readability and skimming
• Instant, free download

Simple resume templates are a safe choice when readability matters most. These layouts keep the focus on your work history, skills, and achievements with a minimal styling that works well for most industries and applicant tracking systems.

• Editable and printable resume design 
• Easy customization 
• Suitable for all resume formats

Don’t want a bland, blank resume template? These creative resumes work best for design, media, marketing, and creative roles where visual presentation can support your personal brand.

Applying through a strict ATS or a conservative industry? A basic or ATS-friendly resume template may be a safer choice.

• Free editable resume templates
• Unique personal branding
• Creative layout and formatting

Need a CV instead of a resume? Browse free CV templates for academic, professional, and international applications. These layouts are built for longer career histories, education details, publications, research, and other CV-specific sections.

• Full CV layout and formatting
• User-friendly design 
• Instant download CV templates 

ATS-friendly resume templates use clean formatting, clear section headings, and simple layouts that are easier for applicant tracking systems to read. They are a smart choice when you are applying through online job portals.  

Already have a resume? Run it through our free ATS resume checker before you apply.

• Compatible with popular ATSs 
• One-column layout 
• Suitable for all experience levels 

Photo resume templates can be useful for acting, modeling, personal branding, and some international applications. For most US job applications, a no-photo resume is usually the safer option unless the employer specifically asks for one. 

• Editable headshot space
• Optimized section layout 
• Brandable styles 

The best resume template depends on your role, experience level, and how you plan to apply.

Choose a professional resume template if you work in business, operations, finance, administration, healthcare, education, or management.

Choose a simple or ATS-friendly resume template if you are applying through online job portals and want a clean layout that is easy to scan.

Choose a modern or creative resume template if you are applying for tech, startup, marketing, design, or media roles where presentation can help you stand out.

Choose a CV template if you need a longer document for academic, research, medical, federal, or international applications.

Choose the format that fits how you want to edit, save, and send your resume. Think Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Google Docs. Most job seekers should customize the template first, then export or save a PDF copy before applying.

Free Word Resume Templates 

Need an editable Word resume template? Many designs on this page are available in .doc or .docx format, so you can download the file, open it in Microsoft Word, and customize the text, sections, fonts, and spacing.

Google Docs Resume Templates 

Prefer editing in the cloud? Browse Google Docs resume templates you can copy, customize, and share online without downloading Word files.

Free Resume in PDF 

Use our free tool to make a resume online in PDF format. Write your resume faster with contextual tips and instantly generate a PDF copy for free. No account is required. 

Check our free resume builder

Need help with the actual resume content? Browse job-specific resume examples with sample wording, section ideas, and layout inspiration for different roles and experience levels. Take advantage of the pointers and sample texts created by a professional team of resume writers.

1. Choose a resume template that fits your role and experience level. 

2. Download the Word file, copy the Google Docs version, or use the resume builder for PDF export.

3. Replace the sample text with your own work history, skills, education, and contact details.

4. Keep the formatting clean and consistent. Avoid adding extra columns or graphics if you plan to apply through an ATS. 

5. Save your final resume as a PDF before applying to help avoid formatting issues, unless the employer asks for a Word document.

6. Run your resume through the ATS checker if you want one more review before sending it. 

A resume template gives you the structure. The next step is filling it with clear, relevant content. Use the quick guide below, or read the full resume writing guide for a deeper walkthrough.

Select The Right Resume Format 

The 3 most popular resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination resumes. 

• Chronological resume organizes the information like LinkedIn does – from the latest position to the first one, with education, interests, and additional info listed later. It’s the most popular resume format, preferred for recruiters. Go for it unless you’re entry-level or changing careers. 
• Functional resume keeps the focus on your skills and experience, rather than employment history. It’s the go-to choice for candidates with employment gaps and those without much hands-on work experience.
• Combination resume takes the best of both worlds and allows you to spice up your “dry” employment history with some juicy details about your skill set and achievements. Startups and edgier companies may prefer this. 

Create a Compelling Summary 

A resume summary is a two-sentence statement highlighting your key qualifications, skills, and value proposition for the role. It sits in the header area, right after your name and contact details. Think of it as a teaser to a movie — you should put your most marketable skills upfront to immediately capture the hiring manager’s attention and get them interested in reading the full copy. 

Add Work History 

List your employers in reverse chronological order. Each entry should include the employment date, job title, company name, key responsibilities, and achievements listed in bullet format. Include 3 to 5 bullet points for each position. Don’t get long-winded — your resume must fit into one page. 

Include Marketable Resume Skills 

With skills-based hiring on the rise, you must demonstrate specific competencies rather than just tenure and educational credentials. Showcase your best hard and soft skills in a featured sidebar section, plus your resume summary and work experience entries.

List Education 

Unless you are a recent graduate, don’t dwell on this section too much. Simply list all your degrees (highest to lowest), the name of your educational institution, and your graduation date. But if you’re still in college, you can also add your GPA, dean’s list, or research.  

Your popular Qs about our free resume templates answered. 

Are these resume templates really free?

Yes. All the resume templates on this page are 100% free to download and customize. You can choose a design, edit it with your own information, and use it for your job search without creating an account.

Should I send my resume as a Word document, Google Docs or PDF?

PDF is usually the safest format because it keeps your layout consistent when the employer opens it. A Word document is useful when the job post specifically asks for a .doc or .docx file. When in doubt, follow the employer’s instructions.

Is there a truly free resume builder?

Yes, Freesumes resume builder is 100% free to use. No account registration is required. Using our free generator, you can make a resume in PDF using one of the six free templates and contextual writing prompts created by expert writers.

What is the most popular resume template?

The most popular resume templates are chronological resume templates. You can find several dozen popular, professional resume templates on Freesumes in Word and Google Doc formats. Our templates have been downloaded over 4 million times! 

What is the difference between a resume template and a CV template?

A resume template is usually shorter and focused on work experience, skills, and achievements for a specific job. A CV template is often longer and may include education, research, publications, certifications, and academic or international experience.

Should I use a resume template with a photo?

For most US job applications, a no-photo resume is the safer choice. Photo resume templates may be useful for acting, modeling, personal branding, or some international applications.

Can I use the same resume template for every job?

You can use the same design, but it’s highly recommended to adjust the content for each job. Update your summary, skills, and experience bullets so they match the role and keywords in the job description.