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184 Free Resume Templates Made for 2024 [Word, Doc, PDF]

Customize your free resume template in our resume builder, Google Docs, or Word. 

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Resume Templates Designed by Experts

The site makes it so easy and does all the formatting for you. Several aesthetically pleasing templates to choose from. I’ve used it twice and couldn’t be more pleased. – Laura Hanusek

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• Education & student
• Admin & Support
• Sales & marketing
• Accounting & finance
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Resume Templates by Role

Computer science resume templates

Cover a lot of territory with an IT resume. Whether you work with big data or crank out code to build and debug apps, these templates give you a flexible layout to talk about academic and personal projects, relevant hobbies and interests, and—most importantly—your measurable impact in the world of information technology.

Education & student resume templates

If you’re writing an education resume for your next teaching position or you’re on the other side of the classroom searching for a student resume template to highlight class projects, extracurriculars, and volunteer efforts, you’re in the right place. With these resume templates, you can make the sample job description bullet points your own.

Admin & support resume templates

Office administration and support roles are careers not for the faint of heart! Your dedication to boosting workplace efficiency won’t go unnoticed in our best resume templates. With our support, you’ll have a head-turning resume in no time that gets you hired to overhaul organization and communication for the better in your next role.

Healthcare resume templates

Healthcare is one of the most important industries out there, and you selflessly dedicate your time to each job shift. Our popular resume templates will help you save precious time, so you can get back to work faster and to the countless patients who depend on your care, compassion, and expertise.

Sales & marketing resume templates

You wouldn’t be in the sales industry if you didn’t have trust in your product and believe in its benefit to others. When it comes to convincing hiring managers why they should take a chance on you, let your sales resume market your track record. Choose a sales and marketing resume template that best reflects your style of confidence and charisma.

Accounting & finance resume templates

When getting the numbers right matters this much, any ol’ resume template won’t pass muster. Our attractive but simple resume templates are a visual dashboard for you to demonstrate an immaculate track record of crunching numbers, giving wise financial advice, and uncovering and correcting discrepancies that pop up from time to time.

A job resume is a short, sweet, and to-the-point document that spotlights your professional experience. It’s basically a summary.

Whether you’ve been in the workforce for 15+ years, have no job experience, or are somewhere in between, resumes have been sparking fear and dread in job seekers since approximately 1482 when Leonardo De Vinci drafted what became known as the first resume .

Resumes are what just about any place of employment requests when you apply for a job. Companies—big and small—wanna know:

◉ What skills do you bring to the job? ◉ Do you have relevant work experience for the role? ◉ Do you want to work for them?

A good resume answers those questions—and isn’t so unlike De Vinci’s resume that honed in on how he could meet the specific needs and challenges of the Duke of Milan.

Happy dance! Yes, our BeamJobs templates are absolutely free.

You can download our eight resume templates at no cost in Word and Google Docs formats. Edit BeamJobs-created resume templates for free in our builder. Only pay for premium features if you like what you see (hey, we gotta make a living, too!).

We also update our site from time to time with fresh Google Docs resume templates and Word resume templates , which will always remain free for you.

The best resume template is the one that complements your personality and allows the space you need to highlight your finest work, top achievements, and job skills.

Every resume template you see on this page has been thoroughly vetted by hiring experts to ensure they include everything you need to help you land your next job. Whether you’re applying to a funky tech startup or looking to join the ranks of a reputable law firm, you’ll find a professional resume template that speaks to you.

Hunting for a new job is incredibly stressful as there’s a lot of uncertainty in the process. And while these resume templates won’t alleviate all stress, they’ll ensure your resume has everything you need to sail through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and impress hiring managers.

Try saying “applicant tracking system” 10 times fast, and you’ll know why it got shortened to ATS.

At its core, an applicant tracking system puts the gas on hiring. Typically, when folks think about ATS software, they think about it weeding out resumes that don’t include the right skills or qualifications.

That’s certainly true enough, but the ATS also helps HR and recruiters organize and sort job candidates, keeps track of communication with job seekers, sets up interviews, and does a host of other not-so-fascinating things.

Basically, when you choose an ATS-friendly resume template from BeamJobs, you can rest easy knowing that the document itself will make it through the software

When it comes to your resume, it will house these staple sections:

◉ Contact info (Triple-check the spelling of your name; see the question about “how to make a resume” for a cringe-worthy BeamJobs blunder.) ◉ Work experience ◉ Skills ◉ Education

Depending on your occupation and years of experience, you could add these optional resume sections:

◉ Resume summary or resume objective ◉ Hobbies and interests ◉ Projects (an umbrella term for things like volunteer experience, academic or personal projects, etc.)

The more relevant job experience you have, the longer the “work experience” section of your resume should be since that’s what employers care about most. On the other hand, when you’ve recently graduated and don’t have much (or any) experience, things like education and projects can take up more real estate on your resume.

Whatever your professional background, our resume maker lets you re-arrange, remove, and add sections as needed to your resume template.

Not to blast our own horns, but we’ve reviewed tens of thousands of resumes in the last few years. Would you believe we’ve actually seen resumes without a name ?! Besides discovering disheartening news like that, we’ve figured out  how to make a good resume .

There are plenty of resume tips we could give you, but here are three that, when followed, will most increase your chances of snagging an interview:

Use numbers to showcase your impact in past roles. Your work experience should focus on your measurable accomplishments, not on job responsibilities.

Tailor your resume for each job you apply to, which means reading each job description carefully. As you read, see if any prior work projects come to mind. Include those projects on your resume.

Avoid grammar and spelling errors. We know, you’ve heard it before. But you’d be aghast (fun word) at the number of folks rejected for a job because of this. (C ough cough We won’t say his real name, but one of our team members whose title rhymes with re-bounder once sent out 20 resumes with his name spelled ‘Stepen.’)

One page—plain and simple.

While you might get away with a two-page resume if you’ve got 10-plus years of experience under your hat, keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers aren’t giving your resume the time of day it deserves anyway. Instead, why not leverage a  cover letter maker  to explain some of those details you had to leave off your resume?

The most painful part of building a resume is editing yourself. How can your entire career fit into four or five bullet points for each job you’ve had? Here’s some good news: if you’re a senior engineer, it’s totally cool to drop from your resume the server job you had in college.

Even if you whittled the jobs you’d include down to three or four, try starting with a basic  resume outline . Fill it to your heart’s content; then, review every job experience bullet point individually and ask, “Does this point show my expertise and say something new?” If the answer’s no, exclude it. Before you know it, you’ll have a polished one-page resume.

PDF Resume Templates

All of our resume templates are downloadable as a PDF. It's the most efficient way to send your resume to recruiters, as it retains the styling, fonts, and formatting to ensure consistency across any device.

Browse templates by resume style

Mix & match unlimited theme, font and color combination..

Use our suggestions to complete your resume 5x faster.

Get a head start with one of our resume examples.

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Resume Templates

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A resume template is used by prospective employees to apply for a role in a company. The fillable form allows the candidate to market their skills to the employer. As a first step in the hiring process, the business or firm reviews the information to learn about the applicant. It helps them decide whether to offer the person a formal interview.

The type of job determines the format of the resume. Each outline has a unique design or structure. Basic templates use one or two colors and a simple font. However, more complex options have bright, bold, or detailed text and images. The applicant should choose a resume that best represents the role. Reading the job description and responsibilities helps to determine the most appropriate choice.

Download: PDF | WORD

What is a Resume?

A resume is a form that allows applicants to list the reasons a company or business should hire them. On average, a job recruiter spends 7.4 seconds reading a resume. For this reason, prospective employees should keep the outline short, ensuring that they do not go beyond two (2) pages. If the candidate needs to include more information, they should wait until the first interview with the employer. The individual can also use the cover page to write additional details.

Each template has a unique style and/or theme. Nonetheless, the resume should have the following categories:

• Full Name: Middle name and suffixes (Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.).
• Professional Title: Official titles acquired through education (Ph.D., M.A., MBA, M.Sc., etc.).
• Contact Information: Address, phone number, and email.
• Objective or Summary: A powerful statement telling the employer what makes the candidate stand out from the rest and/or what would make them a good fit for the role.
• Education: High school(s) and college(s) attended.
• Job or Leadership Experience: Previous role(s) that make the applicant qualified for the position.
• Qualifications, Training, or Awards: Relevant volunteer work, certifications, or recognitions.
• Skills and Interests: Hobbies, talents, masteries, etc.

Resume Templates

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Pick from 8+ [Free] Resume Templates

Pick one of our free resume templates, fill it out, and land that dream job! Create and download your professional resume in less than 5 minutes.

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Why Novorésumé?

Free AND Premium

We offer both free and premium resume templates, so whatever your budget might be, you can still take advantage of our resume builder.

Creative & Professional Resume Templates

Whether you’re a creative advertiser looking for an outside-the-box creative resume template, or a banker seeking a more professional resume template, we’ve got a template for you!

NO Hidden Fees

If you’ve tried other resume builders, you’ve probably experienced this: You spend hours creating a resume, and when you click “download,” you get hit with a paywall asking you to subscribe.

At Novorésumé, we don’t do that . We have NO hidden fees - upgrade to Premium ONLY if you LOVE our resumes!

ATS Friendly

All Novorésumé resume templates are built with the most popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind. What this means for YOU is that whichever job you apply for, the CV filtering software they use will be able to read your resume (and NOT automatically discard it).

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

For over 10 years now, I've been on both sides of the fence, career counseling, and recruitment, and let me tell you, the writer's block hits hard when it comes to drafting your resume.

Novorésumé not only offers you a smart and modern template for you to fill in, but their team has also crafted a winning combo of aesthetics and functionality that will inspire you to apply for the job you thought was out of your league. Give it a try!

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

Novorésumé is one of the few resume builders that I recommend online. Their resume templates are modern and eye-catching, and will grab an employer's attention. As a former Recruiter, if a candidate sent me a resume built with one of these templates, I would take notice and be impressed.

The software also makes it easy to enter your info and handles all of the formatting for you, so you can get your resume ready to send out as quickly as possible. I recommend these templates whether you're a recent graduate or experienced candidate.

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

When I consult people on resume writing, the most common question that I am asked it is about the content and what components to add or avoid, when they have less than 5 years of work experience.

On this platform, you not only have access to many options, but you get guidance on what to choose and why. When the work experience is less than 5 years, the other components such as languages, projects, volunteering experiences, hobbies etc, make a huge difference.

Resume Resources

What is a resume.

A resume is a brief summary of personal and professional experiences, skills, and education history. Its main purpose is to show off your best self to potential employers.

When applying for a job, you’re (in most cases) going to be asked for a resume accompanied by a cover letter.

If you manage to create a “good” resume, you’re going to 2x your chances of getting hired . Want to learn how? Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume .

How to Write a Resume for Your First Job?

The process of writing a resume might seem super scary to you. After all, most resume examples you see on the web are 80% about work experience. So, what the heck can you include in your resume if you have none?

Well, here’s some good news. If you’re applying for an entry-level job or an internship, no one expects you to have ANY work experience.

Instead, you should focus on what you DO have: education, projects, volunteering experience, hobbies & interests.

For a complete guide on how to make a resume with no work experience stand out, check out our article.

What to Put on a Resume?

The most common sections on a resume are:

Contact information

Resume summary or objective

Work experience

If you want to personalize your resume a bit more, you can also include the following sections:

Volunteering experience

Hobbies & interests

For more information on how to place these sections on your resume, check out our article on what to put on a resume .

How to Format a Resume?

There are 3 typical resume formats:

Reverse-Chronological Resume

Functional Resume

Combination Resume

In 99% of the cases, you’ll want to go with the Reverse Chronological resume format. That’s the format most resumes you’ve seen follow - its main focus is your work experience, written down in reverse-chronological order.

Unless you’re looking to create a career change resume , we’d recommend sticking with this format.

If you want to learn more about resume formats , check out our comparison guide.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Ah, the most popular resume question in the world: “how long should your resume be?”

Short answer: one page. If you have a lot of work experience (10 years +), sometimes it makes sense to make it 2 pages MAX if everything you mention is super relevant for the position you’re applying for.

Long answer: check out our guide on how long should a resume be .

P.S. all of our templates are one-page resume templates, so you shouldn’t have a lot of trouble sticking to the one-page limit!

How to Write a Resume Summary?

Your resume summary is a “hook” that goes on top of your resume. Think of it as an introduction to the rest of your resume. It should, in 2-4 sentences, explain what your background is, and why it’s relevant for the position you’re applying for.

Want your resume summary to stand out? Use this proven formula:

“Professional [job title] with X+ years of work experience in [job responsibility] . In the past Y years, I have [your top 1-2 achivements] . Seeking a position of [job title] at [company name] ”

To learn more about how to create a resume summary that excels, check out our guide.

On the other hand, if you’re a student or just don’t have a lot of work experience, read our article on how to create a resume objective instead.

How to List Work Experience on a Resume

Work experience on a resume is one of those things that’s easy to learn, hard to master.

Each work experience entry should contain the following:

Position title

Company name/description/location

Achievements or responsibilities

Dates employed

Now, if you want to create a work experience section that stands out , you want to focus on quantifiable achievements. What this means is, instead of creating an entry like:

“Carried out sales operations”

You list an achievement:

“Hit and exceeded monthly sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

This shows the employer that you’re not just a random candidate, you’re an A-player! To learn more about how to list achievements in your work experience (and land the job), check out our article.

How to List Skills on a Resume?

Simply create a ”skills” section on your Novorésumé resume template, and list your top skills. We usually recommend going for a mix of hard and soft skills.

Not sure what skills to include in your resume? Check out these 101 essential skills for any resume .

How to Make a Cover Letter For a Resume?

Every job application asks for a cover letter (in addition to your resume). Here are some of our tips on how to do this right:

Customize your cover letter to the employer. The more personalized it is, the more likely it is for the recruiter to like you

Outline your general background (work experience, profession, etc.) and mention your top 2-3 achievements to show off your skills

If you really want to stand out, create a cover letter that matches your resume template. To do this, you can use one of our cover letter templates here.

If you want to learn more about how to write a convincing cover letter , check out our comprehensive guide.

What is the Best Resume Template?

There’s no such thing as “the best resume template” - every recruiter/employer has their own personal preference. Our general recommendation is to do your research on the company and what their values are.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a bank, you’d want a more professional resume template. On the other hand, if you want a job in a startup where they value innovation more, you should stick to a creative resume template .

Finally, if you’re still not sure which type of template is right for the job you’re applying for, you can just use a simple resume template just to be safe.

Get Inspired with Our Resume Examples

Resume templates faq, how to make a resume with novorésumé.

Follow these simple steps:

Choose one of our top resume templates above

Follow the tips & tricks built-in our resume builder

Fill in your work history and other experiences

Hit download and start applying to jobs!

What If I Am a Student?

All of our resume samples are student-friendly! If you’re looking for something a bit more tailored, we’d recommend picking the “college resume template”

Or, if you want to learn how to create a convincing student resume , check out our guide.

Are These Resume Templates Free?

Yep, all of the templates listed above are free resume templates.

However, our resume builder comes with a ton of premium features. So if you want to personalize your resume and make it truly yours, you can upgrade!

Who Created These Resume Samples?

At Novorésumé, we put extensive care in creating each resume template.

We interviewed recruiters and analyzed applicant tracking systems to create resume samples that will maximize your chances of getting hired.

Then, our professional graphic designer worked his magic to make the resume samples compelling, well-designed, and easy to read!

Are These Resume Templates ATS-Friendly?

Yes! All Novorésumé resume templates are created with applicant tracking systems in mind.

Keep in mind, though, that using the right template is step #1. You should also optimize your resume content for applicant tracking systems. For more on that, check out our guide to creating an ATS-friendly resume .

Do You Offer One-Page Resume Templates?

Yep. All the templates you see above are one-page resume templates. They are, however, pretty flexible, so if you decide to go for 2 pages, our templates will get the job done!

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How To Pick A Resume Format

Would you not carefully choose your appearance on the day of the interview? We don’t live in movies where Will Smith could get away being a garbage man. This is real world, and this is real interview. In the whole process of preparation, we often tend to undermine the appearance of our resume. It's almost dressing your resume up. We want you to remember the two forces that work in a resume being picked up among a pile of others. "The What and The How"? You may have worked ten thousand feet below the sea rigging Oil for this major oil and gas company, or you may have single handedly pioneered a startup or just starting out of college. In any of the case resume format are designed in a way to highlight the best of your abilities in the most readable way. Resume formats make sure that your greatest achievements are right there on the top, ready to be noticed.

The most commonly used and preferred resume formats by Job hunters, Job seekers and Human Resources Managers across is the Reverse Chronological format. As, the name suggests this format highlights your career profile, educational summary or professional profile as it may seem fit for the job. It is like watching a movie backward. Choosing what to place first among the three once again should be a well thought over decision. What you place on the top is what you want to be seen first. If not sure we suggest you take professional advice as these very things which might seem trivial play a vital role in the final decision. Click here to learn more about different resume styles.

If you are a fresher, we have freshers resume examples and samples available for free downloads.

This is literally the best resume builder I could rely on, on the last minute and that's not even the best part, it has no tricks and no hidden charges. Completely professional resume, absolutely free of cost!

One of the best resume maker in India. Easy to use with lot of options and features. Using it features for more than 3 years

It's very easy, just enter the details and right guidance, the resumes gets auto designed which can impress the hirers.

Love this website. It helps me in creating best resume without charging anything and it is easily guided version.. Thank you

Resume Format Trends: Optimize Your Job Application in 2024

Choosing the right resume format can feel confusing. Your resume is your first chance to impress a potential employer . This article will guide you through the three main types of resumes and how to use them best.

Keep reading for insights that could transform your job search .

Chronological resume templates

A chronological resume lists your work history in order of time, starting with your most recent job and going backward. This format highlights a steady progression in one's career.

It is straightforward, making it simple for hiring managers to see your job trajectory and major accomplishments at each position. Employers often prefer this type because it clearly shows the candidate’s work timeline and growth.

In writing a chronological resume, start with your latest position and include the company name, location, dates of employment, and key responsibilities. For every job listed, focus on achievements that can be measured or observed.

Use action verbs to describe these accomplishments vividly. This approach helps potential employers understand not just where you worked but how you made a difference there.

Functional resume templates

The functional resume format focuses on skills and experiences instead of a chronological work history. This layout helps job seekers highlight their strengths without emphasizing gaps in employment or frequent job changes.

It groups qualifications into skill categories , making it easier for employers to see how the candidate's abilities match the job requirements.

Job applicants use this format to draw attention away from less relevant positions and toward what they can do well. They list their most impressive skills at the top, followed by their work history and education in brief sections.

This approach is ideal for those with limited work experience , changing careers , or with periods of unemployment .

Combination resume templates

Combination resume formats blend the best parts of chronological and functional resumes. They show off your skills and your work history. You start with a focus on your skills. These could be leadership, communication, or any other important skill for the job.

Then you list your jobs in reverse order , starting with the most recent. This format lets you highlight what you can do right away but also backs it up with where and when you did it.

Choosing this format means you get to play up both your experience and talents . It's great for people who have a mix of old and new skills, or those changing careers but still want to show relevant past work .

Now we'll move on to tips for writing each type of resume format effectively.

Tips for Writing Each Resume Format

Write tips for each resume format with brevity and impact:

- Craft your chronological resume by listing your work experience in reverse order.

- For a functional resume, focus on highlighting your skills and achievements rather than the timeline of your work history.

Writing tips for chronological format

When creating a resume in chronological format :

• Start with your contact information at the top of the page.
• List your work experience in reverse - chronological order , beginning with your most recent position.
• Use clear and concise bullet points to describe your roles and accomplishments at each job.
• Highlight your achievements and quantify them when possible to showcase your impact in previous roles.
• Include relevant educational background and any additional certifications or training.
• Tailor each section to highlight the most important and related experiences for the specific job you're applying for.

Writing tips for functional format

Transitioning from discussing the chronological format to the functional format, let's delve into some practical writing tips tailored towards this specific resume structure:

• Highlight your skills : Focus on showcasing your skills and abilities at the beginning of your resume.
• Tailor the content : Emphasize relevant experiences and achievements rather than providing a comprehensive work history.
• Use clear headings : Organize your resume into clear sections such as "Summary of Qualifications" and "Professional Experience."
• Incorporate keywords : Include industry-specific keywords related to your skills and expertise for online application systems.
• Show impact : Demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles through concise bullet points.
• Omit irrelevant details : Exclude unrelated work experiences or tasks, keeping the focus on applicable skills and accomplishments.

This detailed list provides actionable advice for crafting an effective functional resume that highlights your key qualifications.

Writing tips for combination format

When crafting a combination format resume , adhere to the following writing tips:

• Begin with a strong summary that highlights your skills and accomplishments.
• Emphasize transferable skills from previous positions in bullet points.
• Prioritize relevant experiences over outdated or unrelated ones.
• Showcase both work history and functional skills near the top of the resume.
• Use clear section headers to distinguish between different areas of expertise.
• Ensure that your resume's design is visually appealing and easy to navigate, enhancing readability for potential employers.

Moving on to "Pros and Cons of Each Resume Format"...

Pros and Cons of Each Resume Format

Chronological format highlights work history; may reveal employment gaps. Functional format emphasizes skills and achievements; can downplay career progression. Combination format merges both, showcasing skills and work history concurrently.

Learn more about the best fit for your profile.

Pros and cons of chronological format

The chronological resume format is a traditional and widely used structure that emphasizes a job seeker's work history . This format lists employment experiences in reverse chronological order , starting with the most recent position. It allows potential employers to see a candidate's career progression and stability in their field at a glance. Below is a detailed look at the pros and cons of adopting a chronological resume format.

Employing a chronological format demonstrates a straightforward narrative of your professional journey. It suits stable, upward career trajectories best. Yet, it may not be the optimal choice for all, particularly those with gaps in their employment or career switchers. Always consider aligning your resume format with your unique work history and the positions you're aiming for.

Pros and cons of functional format

Transitioning from the chronological format, we now shift our focus to the functional resume format . This style emphasizes skills and experience over chronological job history, making it a distinctive choice for many job seekers. Below, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of employing a functional resume format.

Employing the functional format lets job seekers craft a resume that truly reflects their capabilities and achievements, focusing on their potential to excel in the role. Nonetheless, it's crucial to weigh these benefits against potential drawbacks, such as acceptability concerns among certain employers or industries. Choosing this format demands careful consideration of both individual career history and the expectations of potential employers.

Pros and cons of combination format

Shifting focus from the functional resume format, we now explore the combination resume format . This style merges elements of both the chronological and functional formats, emphasizing both skills and work history.

What is reverse-chronological resume

Reverse-chronological resume is a common resume format that focuses on your work experience in reverse order, starting with the most recent job and working backwards. This format is popular because it highlights your career progression and shows potential employers your most recent accomplishments. When formatting your resume, it's important to keep your resume layout clean and easy to read. You can use resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Whether you prefer a simple resume template, a modern resume design, or a creative resume template, there are many options available online for building your resume. Remember to also include a resume objective and relevant resume sections to make your resume stand out to potential employers.

When creating your reverse-chronological resume, you can use resume examples or sample resumes to guide you in formatting your resume. By using a free resume template or popular resume format, you can create a professional resume that will impress employers. It's important to format your resume correctly and keep your resume to one page if possible. Whether you choose a traditional resume or a more creative resume, make sure to read your resume carefully before submitting it to potential employers. With the right resume design and cover letter templates, you can create a perfect resume that will help you land your dream job in 2024.

Choosing the Best Resume Format for Your Situation

Choose the Best Resume Format for You:

- First-time job seekers

- Experienced professionals

- Career changers

Considerations for first-time job seekers

• First - time job seekers should focus on highlighting their education, internships, and any relevant volunteer work.
• Emphasize transferable skills gained from extracurricular activities or part-time jobs that demonstrate responsibility, teamwork, and leadership.
• Tailor the resume to showcase accomplishments and abilities rather than extensive work experience.
• Use a clean and straightforward format to make the resume easy to read and understand by potential employers.
• Prioritize education details by including GPA, relevant coursework, academic achievements , and any honors or awards received.
• Include a strong objective statement at the beginning of the resume that clearly states career goals and how they align with the position being sought.

Considerations for experienced professionals

Experienced professionals need to showcase their extensive work history effectively. They should:

• Emphasize accomplishments and leadership roles .
• Use a chronological or combination format to highlight career progression.
• Tailor the resume towards the specific job and industry .
• Avoid listing every job held; focus on relevant experience .
• Show continuous learning and professional development through training and certifications .

Considerations for career changers

When transitioning to a new career, consider these essential points:

• Highlight transferable skills and experiences that are relevant to the new field.
• Emphasize accomplishments that demonstrate your adaptability and quick learning in diverse environments.
• Tailor the resume summary and objective to align with the requirements and goals of the desired career.
• Showcase any relevant certifications , training, or educational achievements acquired for the new career path.
• Address the career change directly in your cover letter , demonstrating passion for the new field and readiness to contribute effectively.

Remember not to oversell items that do not pertain directly to the new career direction.

Considerations for Resume Formatting

• Contact Information : Use a bold font for the name, and include a professional email address and contact number.
• Core Strengths : Use industry-related keywords and highlight skillsets relevant to the job.
• Value Statement : Clearly state the benefit you'll bring to the employer, much like a personal pitch.
• Experience : For those with a professional background , emphasize roles and responsibilities in current and previous positions.
• Education : For new graduates, detail education, relevant dates, and certifications.

Guidelines for Structuring a Resume

When structuring a resume, individuals should adhere to the following guidelines to ensure clarity and professionalism:

• Alignment : Align text to the left for standardized readability.
• Margins : Maintain uniform 1-inch margins for a balanced appearance.
• Font Choice : Opt for a professional font that's easy for employers to read.

Effective organization of a resume can be outlined as follows:

Additional formatting considerations include the following:

• Headers : Use distinctive headers for each section to improve navigation.
• Bullets : Present work experience and qualifications in bullet points to improve readability and conciseness.
• Consistency : Apply consistent formatting throughout to present a cohesive document.

Crafting a Resume with Optimal Structure Through Our Builder

Creating an effective resume is a critical step to landing a job. With the vast array of resume builders available, it's easy to find one that will guide users through the process of crafting a resume with the right format.

These builders provide an assortment of templates that cater to various jobs and industries, allowing users to select the most appropriate one for their needs.

Key Features of Our Resume Builder :

• Template Selection: Choose from professional templates that are field-tested and suitable for a wide range of job applications.
• Customizable Sections: Add or remove sections as necessary to focus on the strengths and skills most relevant to the job being applied for.
• Guided Experience: Follow expert tips and suggestions that assist in filling out each section of the resume accurately and effectively.
• Easy Download: Once the resume is complete, download it in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, or plain text, to suit various application requirements.

How to Utilize the Resume Builder:

• Select a Template: Start by picking a layout that aligns with the intended industry and role.
• Fill in Details: Enter personal information, work experience, educational background, and skills.
• Customize Content: Tailor the resume's content to highlight achievements and abilities that are in line with the job description.
• Edit and Revise: Review and revise the content to ensure clarity and a strong first impression.
• Finalize Format: Choose a format that is professional and readable, and ensures that critical information stands out.

Key Resume Inquiries

Essential elements of a basic resume structure.

A straightforward resume should encompass:

• Personal Information : Full name, contact number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Objective Statement : A concise declaration of career goals (optional).
• Work Experience : Listed in reverse-chronological order, mention job titles , companies, durations, and responsibilities.
• Education : Degrees obtained, institutions attended, and graduation dates.
• Skills : Relevant hard and soft skills.
• Certifications or Achievements : Any pertinent accomplishments or qualifications.

Streamlining Resume Formatting for Job Applications

To effectively format a resume for job interviews:

• Use a professional font like Arial or Calibri (10-12 pt).
• Ensure margins are even, generally around 1 inch.
• Categorize content with clear headings .
• Apply bullet points for concise descriptions.
• Emphasize achievements with bold text where appropriate.

Benefits of Microsoft Word Format for Resumes

Using a Word document for a resume format offers:

• Flexibility in editing : Easy to alter text and layout.
• Compatibility : Widely accepted by many organizations.
• Tracking Changes : Useful for collaborative editing.

Crafting a Resume for Beginners

For freshers, a resume should reflect their potential by:

• Focusing on academic achievements and projects .
• Including internships , volunteer work , or any relevant experience.
• Highlighting transferrable skills and extracurricular activities .

Preference for PDF Resume Formats

PDF resumes are preferred when:

• Consistency is needed across different devices and platforms.
• The job application system specifies PDF as the required format.
• Preventing alterations is crucial to maintain the resume's integrity.

Best Practices for Resume Crafting

When writing a resume, adhere to these practices:

• Customize the resume to match the job description.
• Include keywords from the job listing to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems .
• Keep the language concise and focused on quantifiable achievements .
• Proofread for grammatical errors and ensure clarity in communication.

In conclusion, understanding the different resume formats is crucial for crafting a compelling and tailored document . Tailoring your resume format to your specific situation can significantly enhance its impact.

Whether you're a first-time job seeker, an experienced professional, or undergoing a career change, choosing the right format can make all the difference in showcasing your skills and experience effectively.

By considering these tips and insights when selecting a resume format, you will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the job application process with confidence and clarity.

Kshama Sharma - Resume, CV and Cover Letter Writing Expert

India's premier resume service

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A4 Resume designer – your gateway to free, professional resumes in PDF!

Looking to craft the perfect resume that lands your dream job? Look no further! Our innovative resume designer offers a seamless experience to help you create stunning resumes in a breeze. Best of all, it's completely free! With a wide range of templates to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect style that suits your unique personality and professional goals.

Why choose our resume designer?

• Easy-to-Use. Our intuitive design tool makes creating a resume a walk in the park, even for those with minimal design skills.
• Variety of Templates. Select from classic, dual, plain, spiral, and other layouts, catering to various preferences and industries.
• Download in PDF. With just a click, you can save your masterpiece in PDF format, ensuring compatibility with A4 and Letter-sized paper.
• Absolutely Free. We believe in making quality resume design accessible to all, so there's no cost attached to our service.

Start by choosing a resume template that suits you best

Black & white.

Elegance in simplicity. Our Black and White a4 resume template embodies timeless sophistication. With a monochromatic palette, it exudes professionalism and clarity. Ideal for job seekers across diverse industries, this template emphasizes content and readability. Customize effortlessly and download in PDF format to make a strong impression. In a world of design complexity, this template stands out with its minimalist approach.

Timeless and professional. Our Classic a4 resume template blends timeless design with modern functionality, ensuring your qualifications shine. Crafted for versatility, it's ideal for a range of industries and roles. Impress employers with its clean layout and easy readability. Customize effortlessly and download your classic resume in PDF format.

Double the impact. Our Dual-Column a4 resume template is designed for those who want to make a lasting impression. Featuring a sleek, two-column layout, it offers ample space to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements. Perfect for professionals in various fields, this template adds a touch of modernity to your resume while maintaining readability. Easily customize it to fit your unique career journey and download it in PDF format.

Simplicity meets professionalism. When less is more, our Plain a4 resume template delivers elegance and effectiveness. With a clean, uncluttered design, it highlights your qualifications, skills, and experience effortlessly. Ideal for a wide range of industries and job roles, this template ensures your resume communicates professionalism and clarity. Customize with ease to make it your own and download in PDF format. In a world of complexity, stand out with the power of simplicity.

Revamp your resume with python-style elegance! Our Python-Style a4 resume template seamlessly blends the power of Python programming with professional design. Crafted for tech-savvy job seekers, this template features clean lines, precision, and readability reminiscent of Python's syntax. Impress employers with a resume that stands out in the tech world. Easily customize it to reflect your skills and experience, and download it in PDF format for a polished presentation.

Elevate your resume with Pride! Celebrate diversity and inclusion in your job search with our Rainbow a4 resume template. Its colorful design reflects the values of equality and acceptance. Customize it effortlessly to match your unique career journey and download it in PDF format. Stand out in your job search while expressing your true self. Join the movement for workplace equality and create your inspiring, inclusive resume today.

A twist of innovation. Unleash creativity with our Spiral a4 resume template that brings a unique, artistic flair to your job application. With an innovative spiral design, it showcases your skills and experience in an eye-catching way. Perfect for those in creative fields, this template captures attention while maintaining professionalism. Customize effortlessly and download it in PDF format for a resume that stands out from the crowd.

Arrange your career in style. Our Tetris a4 resume template offers a playful twist on the traditional resume format. Inspired by the beloved game, it lets you piece together your skills and achievements like a puzzle. Perfect for individuals in dynamic industries, this template adds a dash of creativity to your job application. Customize it with ease and download it in PDF format for a resume that stands out and showcases your ability to think outside the box.

Infuse color and creativity into your career story. Our Vivid a4 resume template is your canvas for a standout job application. With vibrant, eye-catching design elements, it allows you to express your unique personality and skills in a visually appealing way. Ideal for those seeking to make a memorable impression, this template combines creativity with professionalism. Customize it effortlessly and download it in PDF format. In a world of black and white resumes, stand out with a burst of color.

Chronological Resume Templates

Classic chronological templates are popular for a reason - they do their job. Use one of the tried-and-tested resume formats below to secure your interview.

Double Column

Chronological resume template. Education position is reversed to focus more on the experience.

Single Column

Reverse chronological resume template. Classic one-column style for chronological resumes.

Chronological timeline template. Additional line between job titles makes up for a clean and presentable resume.

Professional resume template. A sleek and straightforward design that conveys a sense of professionalism and competence.

Modern resume template. A stylish two-column design with a pop of color to stand out from the crowd.

Creative resume template. Showcase your unique personality with a custom design that speaks to your creativity.

What is a chronological resume template?

Who should use a chronological resume, tips for building the best chronological resume template, chronological resume templates pros and cons.

Chronological resume template is the most commonly used format in resumes, and recruiters prefer them to others. A reverse chronological order resume template lists your jobs, starting with the current or most recent one at the top. It provides comprehension opportunities for hiring managers to see your experience.

Have it in mind that chronological and reverse chronological resume templates are essentially the same thing. Because they list your experience chronologically, but in a reverse way, starting with your most recent job. You can use Enhancv builder to build your chronological resume in the best way possible.

People who can get all the advantages that chronological resume templates offer are jobseekers at any professional level with a consistent work history without gaps between roles.

However, reverse chronological order can work for just about anyone looking for a job. This resume formatting is simple and professional, and you can effortlessly apply it to any resume design.

Resumes in chronological order are very convenient for students because this formatting is the easiest way to organize their limited experience.

Choosing this format is easily understood by recruiters because chronological resume templates are the most popular layout hiring managers see.

A chronological resume is arranged in a way to emphasize your professional experience - your education and certifications, skills, other relevant activities, or volunteer experiences. A summary statement is optional in chronological resume formatting. Excluding the cases in which you are higher-level management or changing your current professional field.

If you think a chronological resume template is not a good fit for your case, you can try a functional or combination resume template. A functional resume is focused on your skills and abilities and lists your roles and education at the bottom.

A combination resume blends a functional resume and a chronological resume and emphasizes both your skills and experience in equal measure.

Let’s create your perfect chronological resume by following the best practices.

The reverse-chronological format resume template can be applied to any design – modern or traditional. It only depends on your professional field and the type of company you are applying to. Modern design is appropriate when you are in more creative and innovative industries and want to make your resume pop up from the rest of the applicants. Use the traditional design without icons, graphics, and flashy colors for applying for positions in more traditional companies.

The best font to use for resumes is a classic, easy-to-read font, like Times New Roman or Calibri. You can use modern fonts, which are also appropriate, like Helvetica, Verdana, Ariel, or Lato. Keep in mind that ATS systems don't mind the font as long as it's readible serif or sans-serif. The regular font size for resumes is 12 points. Larger fonts are acceptable for headings, your name, or titles of sections. If you're having trouble fitting your content on one page, you might try making your font 10.5 points, but don't go lower.

Your resume should be easy for the hiring manager to digest all your best work. Using the right font in combination with colors can help that. Use white as the background, black for the text, and the remaining color as an accent. It is advisable to use for the third color some shades of blue, green, or dark red. Avoid too flashy colors.

Select the best layout

Your resume should always begin with your full, searchable name. Your name should be the biggest thing on the page. Recruiters are spending a few seconds on your resume, they should know whose it is. Show your location, there is no need to put your full home address, but recruiters expect to see your city and state. Add your contact information like your phone number and professional and easy-to-read e-mail address.

As we mentioned before, for the Chronological resume template, you can skip the summary statement section . It can be a plus to add one or two sentences about who you are as a professional and what is your experience.

Your work experience section on the Chronological resume template is the most important one. You should include responsibilities and accomplishments for each job you’ve held. If you want your resume to stand out more, you can organize your experience in two separate sections. The first one, under the header “Relevant work experience” to a specific job you are applying for, and the second section is Work Experience.

Right after your work experience section, you should list your education in reverse chronological order first on the list you should add your academic degrees, following your training and certifications . Do not list your high school diploma once you have attended college unless relevant to your professional field.

You can list your achievements on a chronological resume template in your work experience section. If you can additionally emphasize your achievements, you can lay them out in a separate section. People who don’t have much work experience can use achievements in education, volunteering, or project sections. When you list achievements, make sure they include the time frame, scale, and results.

You can design your Chronological resume template in two columns to fit all information on one page. Recurred prefer one-page resumes because they are easy to scan for the key points they are looking for in a candidate.

• The chronological format is the most commonly used, and most recruiters prefer them. This resume format draws attention to your work experience and career advancements.
• A chronological resume template is the easiest format to read for ATSs because emphasizes your work experience by putting it on top of the page.
• This resume layout works for anyone looking for any kind of job, and it is student-friendly.
• Chronological format is not recommended for people with gaps in their work history.
• This format is not a good choice if you are applying for a position in a field in which you don’t have previews experience.
• If you are just starting your career, chronological resume formatting will emphasize your lack of experience.

Frequently asked questions about chronological resume templates

Is the chronological resume best, what is the difference between a chronological and functional resume, why do most employers prefer chronological resumes to functional resumes, how far back should a resume go.

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