simple resume text format

Simple Resume Templates

Using a simple resume template design is an ideal format for outlining your work history and focusing on your career accomplishments.

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What is a simple resume.

Don’t underestimate these templates because of the adjective “simple.”

Simple resumes follow a clear, straightforward resume format that draws the recruiter into your experiences.

These templates erase extraneous information and embellishments in order highlight you and your career accomplishments .

Furthermore, because of its versatility, simple resumes work for nearly any industry or job application. 

The types of fonts on a simple resume are classic, demonstrating austerity and improving scannability. This also means that your content is the focal point of the piece, so your resume must be strongly written. 

Tip: Be sure to quantify your experiences (i.e., “Managed a team of 20 employees,” or “Cleaned and refreshed 30 hotel rooms a day to meet and exceed customers’ expectations”).

When to use a simple resume template?

If you're seeking a job in industries such as:

There's a high chance that you need to use a simple resume template.

Individuals with no work experience , like a college student or someone returning to the workforce after a hiatus, can benefit from using a simpler resume template. This is because a simple template design will help emphasize your skills, showing a recruiter what you can do — despite a seeming lack of “experience.”

Additionally, simple resumes are best if you’re applying for an entry-level job or a position in food-service or the retail industry. These templates communicate that you are organized and eager to get started. 

Tip: Since simple templates lack bold colors and flowery fonts, use strong verbs to make your resume stand out. Check out our list of action-packed verbs to get started.

10 important parts of a simple resume format

• Limited Color. Simple resumes rely on conservative resume colors such as black, gray, and navy blue. This keeps the focus on the text and prevents the recruiter from being distracted by the design. 
• White Space. The resume body is evenly balanced by the white space. Standard margins and clean space keep the sections separate and easily scannable. 
• Classic Fonts. The fonts are traditional and legible, improving the resume’s readability. Classic fonts also minimize distractions and lend to the austerity of the resume.  
• Smaller Header Instead of making your name and contact information the center of the resume, simple templates keep the reader focused on your work experiences. The smaller header also helps prevent the resume from appearing arrogant or overbearing. 
• No Fancy Imagery. Simple resumes forgo stylistic embellishments in order to prevent distractions. This also helps to prevent applicant tracking systems from skipping your resume.
• Room for Experiences. The simple resume has few design elements in order to amplify the body of the resume itself. This means your work experience is the focal point, and you should list all relevant certifications and education experiences. This is especially important for students and those entering the workforce. 
• Strong Verbs . Since the main focus is on what you’re saying, you need to use strong verbs that convey your abilities. Check out our list of 350+ action verbs to make your resume more effective .  
• No Icons. The simple resume template highlights your talents in order to emphasize your competency. This also means that extra touches or flourishes are left out in order to demonstrate your professionalism. 
• Equal Sections. Since the simple resume template is designed to underscore your competency, equal space is allotted to your skills , education, and work experiences. This also shows that you are neat and organized.  
• Profile Summary. Write a concise summary about your qualifications and how it relates to the position you’re seeking. The professional resume template places this summary at the top so as to catch the attention of the recruiter and entice them into reading the rest of your resume.

Where to download a simple resume template?

Easy Resume offers a variety of simple resume templates suited to all industries and levels of experience.

For more help writing a resume, look no further than our guide on How to Write the Perfect Resume in 2020 . 

Get a head start with one of our resume examples

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• Simple Resume Templates

Use a foolproof, simple resume template that focuses on your skills and strengths. To begin, select a resume design, type over the text and replace it with your own.

A modernized Harvard template featuring a sleek design favored by recruiters and an optimized structure for enhanced ATS performance.

Double Column

A popular two-column resume template, free of charge, ideal for various roles, such as programming and marketing.

Single Column Refined

A traditional, simple resume template perfect for someone who's just starting out their professional career.

Single Column

The well-known single-column template with a traditional, yet time-tested layout. Perfect for conservative industries.

A resume template that neatly shows your experience and education in a timeline fashion. Great for experienced people with lots of experience.

The classic resume that everyone loves. Simple, yet effective layout that's perfect if your resume will go through an ATS.

In This Guide:

What is a simple resume, when to use a simple/basic resume, what sections to include in a simple/basic resume, tips for building a simple/basic resume, basic resume formatting tips, teacher simple resume, freshers simple resume, customer service representative simple resume, accountant simple resume, content writer simple resume, administrative assistant simple resume, legal assistant simple resume, pharmaceutical sales simple resume.

If you're looking for a timeless, evergreen template, the simple or basic resume is your top choice. Candidates can use this clean, minimalist format to curate what matters most to the job - their relevant experience.

One of the biggest benefits of using the basic template is that your resume becomes easy to scan.

What is more, simple resume formats are an ideal choice for candidates, regardless of their experience level.

This organized layout offers industry professionals an efficient and streamlined approach to:

• present their experience, especially for industries where your professional track record speaks for itself;
• highlight basic skills that are important for new to the workforce candidates (e.g. students, interns, etc.).

The simple resume template is a clear and concise way to format your resume .

The basic design aims to draw attention to your professional qualities and achievements. Thus presenting them in a systematic and easy-to-read fashion.

This minimalistic and orderly approach should help you stand out in a crowd of professionals who have invested in fancy design, instead of relevant content (in the form of their experience).

What characterizes the simple resume is the lack of clutter in intricate formatting.

This specific resume design excludes over-the-top elements; bright and energetic colors; and fancy, unreadable fonts.

By keeping the design simple, you'd cut to the chase to provide recruiters with a simple, yet very effective overview of your experience.

Speaking of your professional expertise, the basic resume template works perfectly well with all three best-practice formats.

Select the one that fits your experience best:

• reverse chronological - arranging your experience in a chronological manner, starting with your latest role;
• functional/ skill-based - shifting the focus from your experience to your strengths and unique skill set;
• hybrid - balancing both skills and expertise.

Usually, candidates opt to present their professional experience via a double-column, simple resume that includes their:

Dedicate some resume space to highlight the specifics of your experience - awards, strengths, and accomplishments.

This would also help you to make a more personable impression on the recruiters.

Use the simple resume template to:

• save time - creating and updating your resume within the blink of an eye;
• highlight your experience - your content and essential information take center stage;
• create an easy-to-read experience - thus following a structured, clean logic and presentation;
• leave a more professional impression.

Use the basic resume formatting to organize qualifications with a focus on your career.

The minimalist, simple resume presentation hints at a variety of soft skills you possess, e.g. organization and presentation.

The basic design offers endless opportunities for professionals across different industries and niches.

No matter the job you're applying for, your experience level, or the competition for the role - a simple resume could allow you to stand out .

What is more, this basic template is perfect for both:

• recruiters - as the format is easy to scan over;
• ATS (or Applicant Tracking System) - the software, used to assess candidate profiles, could easily match different sections of your resume to job criteria.

So, when should you use this easy resume template?

Use the simple resume format when your experience is self-explanatory and relevant to the role

You have all the relevant skills that just don't need a fancy presentation.

With basic resume formatting, you'd show recruiters that you have what it takes for the job.

Candidates within these two fields benefit the most from a simple resume template:

• labor-focused - e.g. construction; transportation and logistics; maintenance and repair; etc.
• traditional or technical roles - e.g. automotive and aviation; education; law; medicine; etc.

Use the simple resume format to show how your experience aligns with basic job requirements

Just about to kick off your career , you’re a student, intern, or entry-level professional.

With your application, you'd like to show that you cover the core requirements of the role.

Utilize the simple resume format to spotlight your professional work ethic and your unique skill set.

The basic resume template allows you more time to get creative and perfect your resume content.

Make sure your resume includes at least six of the below sections to curate the specifics of your experience.

Ensure that your simple resume header is clear, professional, and includes up-to-date information, like your:

Your headline is the perfect opportunity to communicate your current role and expertise.

E.g. "AI developer perfecting the code of ChatGPT"

Alternatively, you could keep your headline simple and include the exact job position you're applying for.

Career summary or objective

Let's build up your resume further with a minimalistic approach to your summary or objective statement .

Write a resume summary when applying for more traditional roles where experience and skills are key.

Use the resume summary as an overview of your key qualifications, qualities, and achievements - and how they'd match the job.

Meanwhile, the objective statement is one of the best choices out there for entry-level professionals.

Candidates can align their best skills to the job while offering a more long-term perspective of their career goals.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to keep it concise (up to three sentences) and to use active language .

Professional experience

​​When writing your resume experience section , always make sure that it's easy to read (and is clear for recruiters).

You can do so by aligning your work history to the job advert and selecting only the most relevant items.

The resume experience is basically your proof - it's what backs up your credentials, career goals, and success.

Using the basic resume template, list all relevant roles, followed by:

• company name
• location (city/ state or city/ country)
• start-end dates
• achievements.

Opt to organize your experience items based on how applicable it is to the job.

Also, instead of creating a never-ending list of responsibilities, curate items that detail your success backed up by hard / soft skills and outcomes.

Bullet points that correspond the most with the advert should be listed closer to the top.

One of the best ways to ensure that all relevant job keywords are part of your resume is via the skills section to showcase:

The education section is especially important for entry-level candidates, who may not have as much experience that ties them to the industry.

We suggest you use it as a coherent bridge: between the role you're applying for and your professional capacities.

List the most recent or advanced degree first, working in reverse chronological order, and include:

• name of the institution
• degree obtained (pursuing)
• location (city/ state)
• graduation dates.

A simple rule of thumb: always consider the relevancy of your education to the role.

Take for example the following scenario: you are applying for a job in operation management and logistics.

But, after high school, you decided it was not the best time to continue your education.

You should definitely leave your high school diploma out of your resume.

Instead, focus on all certificates you happen to have that pertain to the job.

Achievements / Awards

A clear basic resume template also curates your career highlights with either your achievements (strengths) or awards .

These two (or three) specific sections bring recruiters’ attention to:

• achievements/ strengths - the array of skills (you have grown over time) that make you a strong candidate;
• awards - unique accomplishments within your industry or field that help you stand out.

The first tip to achieving a timeless, classic feel of your simple resume is this - be consistent all through.

The basic template shifts the focus from design to the actual resume content. So, be mindful of even the smallest design elements you decide to include.

Furthermore, when building your next simple resume, consider these four aspects.

Simple Resume Design

The design needs to be clean and straightforward.

All sections need to be efficiently organized while avoiding cluttered layouts , many decorative elements (e.g. icons ), and excessive use of graphs.

Within your basic resume, include the five standard sections that allow hiring managers to determine whether you qualify for the job. Those include:

• Summary (or Objective)

Basic Resume Fonts

The end goal of your resume is for you to land the job - that's why you should prioritize legibility over creativity.

The simple template allows you to do just that.

Use classic, easy-to-read fonts (e.g. Bitter and Oswald), as they are more widely accepted for professional presentations.

The font size of your basic resume content should be between 10 - 12 points. You should use a bit larger font size for your name (14 - 16 pt); resume section headings, like Experience and Education, and headline (12 - 14 pt); and subheadings like job titles, company names, etc. (11 - 12 pt).

If you decide to spice up your simple resume with text in bold, italics, or underlined - do so to emphasize vital information.

Make sure that no matter the font you select, it does not take away the focus from your expertise.

Simple Resume Colors

Including colors on your resume that are too bright and contrasting may distract the recruiters. Thus, making your profile seem cluttered and unprofessional.

Simple resume templates avoid any over-the-top color combinations by sticking to a limited palette.

Most often, basic resume colors are neutral with:

• one primary color - this is usually in the grayscale, and
• one accent color - highlighting key information, like achievements.

If you decide to use different colors throughout your resume, do so sparingly and ensure that there is consistency all through your design.

Basic Resume Layout

The simple resume layout should be clean, easy to read, and polished.

How you order different resume sections is key to achieving a minimalistic and professional resume.

First off - stay clear of complex layouts.

As, when your resume is scanned by the ATS , a fancy layout could deceive the software. Hence, misaligning job requirements with, let's say, your education or hobbies section.

Next, select between a single- or double-column format to effectively utilize resume space. The single column can be an excellent choice if you happen to have less professional experience.

Your resume shouldn't be longer than two pages . In most cases, the one-page format is entirely sufficient. But, if you happen to have more than a decade of relevant experience , curate it via the two-page format.

Now that we've laid out the basics of the simple resume template design, let's dive deeper into the rabbit hole with four more key tips.

Find out more about the importance of white space, active language, simple fonts, and the right colors.

Use white space

Keep your resume easy to scan and orderly by avoiding large blocks of text.

By incorporating plenty of white space, you would:

• create a clean and uncluttered layout;
• draw attention to separate resume sections;
• structure the resume with clear boundaries;
• emphasize essential information.

The white space of your simple resume should be used to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, timeless, and professional design.

Focus on short and quantifiable sentences for your experience sentence

Have you heard of the KISS principle: keep it short and simple?

Apply KISS when listing the experience bullets within your resume.

Curate short sentences that include:

• action verbs - to better pace your resume;
• hard skills - competency using particular software;
• soft skills - to display personal skills;
• results of your efforts.

Whenever possible, use numbers to show the more tangible outcomes of your success.

Choose simple fonts

Clean and timeless fonts sustain your simple resume's readability and order.

Generally, hiring managers have high regard for these professional fonts:

• Times New Roman

A simple font could help you accent what makes your experience unique.

Use the right colors

An effective, simple resume format presents your qualifications using subtle and consistent colors .

Some popular color combinations for your basic resume template include a white background with

• navy blue, dark red velvet, or dark green text - to create a sense of sophistication;
• text in earth tones - adding a sustainable twist to your resume;
• black text combined with a pop of color - use a lively, energetic color (e.g. orange or pink) to highlight key elements;
• text in the monochromatic color scheme - different shades of the same color (e.g. red) to emphasize important resume sections.

When in doubt if colors would shift the focus away from your experience, stick with the grayscale palette.

The classic, timeless black text on a white background provides a clean and professional look.

Meanwhile, having gray text on a white background is a subtle and elegant design.

This simple, elegant one-column design provides hiring managers with the right amount of information to better understand the teacher's experience.

The top one-third of the resume includes all mandatory information:

• all relevant, professional contact details in the headline ;
• industry keywords and an array of soft skills listed in the summary .

The focus is then shifted to the teacher's experience . Each role offers an overview of the key skills and results achieved, e.g.:

• interdisciplinary collaboration - higher student engagement;
• data-driven interventions - improved student proficiency;
• personalized approach - increased performance.

If recruiters are looking for the unique value this professional offers, they need to look no further than strengths.

This resume section clearly pinpoints the areas in which the individual excels.

Other relevant sections are used to showcase the teacher's academic background ( education and language skills ).

Finally, hiring managers can discover even more relevant skills, listed at the bottom of the resume. They are included as keywords to ensure that all job requirements are covered.

This fresher resume shows what you could do if you don't have much professional experience .

The basic resume uses bright colors to accent key information (headline, roles) and design elements (icons).

After the resume musts (headline and summary), the candidate curates the following information to fill in the lack of experience:

• strengths - what is the unique value of working with this fresher;
• internship - to highlight relevant industry know-how;
• education and languages - to showcase how the candidate has grown professionally in the last few years.

The skills section is built on technical ones that are relevant to the industry.

Achievements are added for a more personalized element to the application.

A single-column, grayscale colors, not a single graphic in sight. The basic candidate resume's main superstar is the professional narrative or experience.

Within the example, we find industry buzzwords within the headline, followed by the candidate's life philosophy. This approach is to help the customer service representative show more personality.

The resume summary offers a quick snapshot of experience, achievements, and skills.

If you want to further highlight your skill set, the strengths section could be subsequent. The candidate uses it to spotlight industry skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving, and organization).

Note how each experience bullet is formatted with active language to demonstrate success.

Languages and soft skills play a vital role in the customer service world. They should thus have a prominent role in your simple resume.

Achievements (e.g. promotions, awards, and higher education degrees) feature more noteworthy information to support the candidate's application.

This accountant resume is another excellent example of the basic resume template design. The candidate has listed all information with colors in the grayscale, while section names stand out in blue.

The top one-third of the resume may be short but offers insights on candidate certifications , skills, niche areas of expertise, and success.

The quote is a bit more outside-the-box approach, giving a bit more character to the candidate's resume.

This simple resume is split into two columns , curating specific information to answer why employers should hire this candidate.

Within the left-hand column, they'd find listed:

• experience - short bullets that demonstrate achievements;
• education - all relevant higher education degrees;
• language proficiencies - to show a breadth of communication skills;
• awards - as proof of work success.

The simple resume right-hand column lists:

• strengths - focusing on key soft skills that boost the candidate's performance;
• skills - both hard and soft skills to match the job requirements;
• achievements - tangible results, proven with numbers.

Who says you have to go all out with your resume design if you're applying for a role within a creative field?

The design of this basic content writer resume features:

• headline, icons , companies, and institutions highlighted in electric blue;
• key resume sections organized in a double-column format;
• plenty of white space to ensure the resume's readability .

Notice how the strengths, skills, and achievements sections are curated. In the left-hand column, you'll discover a snapshot of the candidate profile with tangible outcomes and industry keywords.

Moving on to the experience bullets - the resume uses a "skill + results" formula to create a further sense of credibility. If the candidate lists “wrote 300 articles” - this won't provide context to anyone assessing the resume.

Finally, the two awards listed in the resume celebrate the candidate's success within the industry.

The basic resume colors are in a monochromatic scheme with:

• dark purple highlighting key information (name, skills, past roles);
• lighter purple is used for secondary elements (headline, quote, company names, institutions, icons).

After assessing the initial information, at the top of the resume, recruiters' attention is immediately drawn to the strengths and experience sections.

Both are formatted to feature skills and perceptible achievements - vital for organizational success and/or professional growth.

This double-column simple resume goes on to spotlight other relevant sections like

The candidate's achievements are once more backed up with tangible results.

The simple resume ultimately reveals the unique value of working with this candidate and her professional interests.

There's nothing better than a quick summary that gets to the point in two sentences. The simple resume allows recruiters to have a quick overview and understand if the candidate's profile aligns with the job requirements.

What is more, the legal assistant builds up her case by investing in different resume sections like:

• strengths - hinting at success within a particular skill;
• experience - proving niche, industry knowledge into how a legal firm works;
• skills - including other job requirements as listed in the advert;
• languages - showing an ability to communicate internationally.

The resume achievements section can be a nice feature of how you go above and beyond in your day-to-day work.

Finally, let's talk about the design. Its key elements include legibility, one-column formatting, and vital elements (skills and company names) in pink. This minimalistic approach helps the candidate stand out .

This simple pharmaceutical sales expert resume has a clean and orderly approach to presenting the candidate profile.

It kicks off with the headline, summary, and life philosophy - which align industry buzzwords with the candidate's mindset.

What is more, the double-column resume offers recruiters insights into the candidates':

• specific skill set - most prominent in the experience and strengths sections;
• academic background - listing relevant higher education degrees and languages;
• career highlights - achievements and awards spotlight the candidate's soft skills and professional bests.

The basic resume format achieves the perfect balance in the design, with ample white space to highlight key career moments.

The resume helps specific information stand out in an ocean blue color while sticking with the timeless black-and-white combination for the rest of the text.

Frequently asked questions about simple resume templates

How do i make a simple and attractive resume, how do i format a basic resume template, how to download a free simple resume template.

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Simple Resume Writing Guide

Get to grips with the simple resume format and design an effective resume from simple templates

For some, Resume writing  can be a complex task that takes them out of their confort zone. Perhaps you have worked before but you were lucky enough not to need to present a resume initially or maybe you’re just getting started in the working world and it’s your first time creating one.

Do not worry! The following guide on  how to write a simple resume  will give you everthing you need to know to make sure you produce a resume that will get you noticed by a prospective employer.

To start off, a simple resumes need to be  clean and professional in terms of the design, the formatting, and the content . Usually, simple resumes are used to get straight to the point,  displaying the basic information a hiring manager needs to know about the candidate without any  extra fuss that may come with a more creative resume  or extended,  professional resume  for executives.

Due to it’s simplicity, this type of resume suits someone with limited experience, such as students, recent grads looking for an  entry-level  position or those searching for part-time work, who need less space for their accomplishments. There are many  simple resume templates  available to help jobseekers write a resume that stands out and impresses for their job application.

Sometimes known as a  traditional resume  or a non-creative option,  simple resumes  are often elegant but minimalist in the sense that they do not add extra flourishes that don’t relate directly to the candidate’s profile and the vacancy on offer. There is no need for graphics or fancy color because the applicant wants to  portray only their information in a plain and concise manner .

With this understanding of  what a simple resume is , it is time to look at how to create a simple resume through some standard advice for what to include in order to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

Although the idea of  simple or basic resumes  may bring to mind the notion of a less embellished resume, this does not mean that it does not require planning, investigation, and effort to ensure that the resume attracts attention from the hiring manager.

Check out the following  advice for writing a simple job resume  in order to offer your best possible application:

• To begin a simple resume, candidates should do a little research into their own professional background, listing their main work experience, education and qualifications as well as any outstanding achievements and relevant skills that could be beneficial to a job application. With this information organized, jobseekers can start to form a  first draft basic resume .
• After the initial stage of investigation to establish the information that will be used to  create an effective resume to self-advertise  each candidate’s profile, it is essential to decide on  how to structure a simple resume . More advice for this can be found below in the section on the simple resume format.
• Following this, candidates should take each  simple resume section  in turn and carefully  select the relevant material  that will be displayed in each part. The standard main areas to consider are education and training, work experience, skills and a principle simple  resume objective  section that gives a  short but to-the-point introduction  of the candidate and how they can benefit the position or company they’re applying to. Each area should describe the most relevant and recent experience, whether in work or academia with a  description of the principal achievements  and responsibilities undertaken.
• It is crucial for simple resume candidates to ensure they research and present  relevant keywords in the different resume sections , especially in the  core competencies  or skills and job history components. These keywords can be taken from the job vacancy description, the company website or alternatively from similar candidate profiles. They should  refer to the qualifications and technical or personal abilities required  or desired for the ideal applicant.
• Simple resumes should adapt to each vacancy individually . This means jobseekers cannot create one basic resume to send to various job openings. Candidates must tailor each resume, as they would their simple resume  cover letter , to the position, company or sector they’re applying to.
• Additional resume sections  that simple resumes could include depend entirely on the category of jobseeker and their professional experience. For example, if a candidate has lots of job training,  certificates  or qualifications, these can be added within another section or as their own part, dedicated specifically to these details as long as they are relevant to the vacancy.

An  online simple resume builder  is a great tool for jobseekers – especially first-time jobseekers – to create a winning resume that encompasses all the information necessary to capture the attention of a potential employer. With  ResumeCoach  you can make sure that your resume might be  simple but effective and error-free .

Simple resumes for graduates

Each year the working population is growing exponentially as more and more people graduate college and go on to look for a professional career. This means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a job based solely on your academic accreditations.  Recent grads  are having to use new methods to  make their resumes stand out  more than in the past and to add other information that helps convince hiring managers to meet for a job interview.

Whether it is a  first job resume  or as a  fresh graduate , you’ve had previous work experience, simple resumes are a good springboard to launch yourself into the working world. Beginning with a  simple resume objective , graduates can position themselves in the eye of a recruiter by using the right action words and highlighting relevant achievements.

The most important thing to remember is that there will be a large number of jobseekers who will be equally or more qualified, in terms of training. Therefore,  freshman jobseekers should always adapt their simple resume  by adding sections that relate to their specific individual professional profile such as  honors and awards  or  internships .

These additional sections can help provide evidence that you can adapt your training and education to the workplace.  80% of employers  want to see this capacity on your resume according to  research from Ladders , so having this information is crucial

An additional element that is useful for  recent graduate resumes  is social media. This allows the hiring manager to access a site with a more extensive and detailed candidate profile. The optimal way to do this is to  add a link to your LinkedIn profile  or a professional blog where fresh graduates can display more of their extra-curricular activities and even in some cases, where appropriate,  personal interests .

Simple resumes for teenagers

Getting a  first job or part-time work  to accompany your studies as a teenager is the best start you can give your career from the very beginning. As soon as you get the chance to start volunteering or working or even taking part in events, etc. you can  build a simple resume that will outshine many of your peers .

Although you may at first find yourself lacking in paid work experience, there are many other ways of  making your professional qualities stand out in a simple resume for a teenager . It is advisable for teenage jobseekers to start with a  simple resume objective  that briefly details the key points of their profile in order to catch a prospective employer’s attention.

Throughout your years at school, you will most likely be involved in different associations, clubs,  volunteering activities  and various projects that help you to develop different skills and give you experience working independently, in a team, as a leader, with a range of people from assorted backgrounds, ages, etc.  These experiences are very valuable to student resumes  because they offer potential employers an insight into the character of each jobseeker including their interests, passions, and abilities.

Given that the  principal aspect of simple resumes for teenagers is the education section , it is most common to begin a  student resume  with this information as standard and add other sections as corresponds to the vacancy you’re applying to and to your other experience.

Simple resume format

Working within the parameters of  resume formatting , there are several basic resume formats candidates can choose from to create a  simple resume design.  These include all pertinent information for their application, whilst maintaining a simple layout.

There are three widely recognized resume formats that can be used to  create a winning simple resume  for any purpose.

• Chronological resume:  The emphasis of the reverse-chronological resume format falls generally on the work experience section which displays the job history of the applicant in reverse chronological order.
• Functional or skills-based resume:  The focus of the functional resume format is based on the skills of each applicant and explains the principle abilities with examples of accomplishments in different roles.
• Combination resume:  The combination resume format is based on a mix of the two previous resume types, allowing the candidate to highlight both work experience and skills.

Whichever of the three styles a candidate decides to use, it should not affect the  simple resume layout  employed for their individual resume.

The following are some  tips on how to maintain a clear and constant format for simple resumes :

• Simple resumes should not exceed two A4 page. You’re  17% more likely to get rejected  by adding a 3rd page.
• Make sure to use easy-to-read fonts and do not use more than 2 fonts throughout.
• You can use bold, italics, underlining and different sizing to show variations in text, such as the name of an employer, the job title, dates and then the description. But, remember to always use the same format for each job/training course, etc.
• Do not use fonts over size 12 font or below size 10 for the main text. For titles, use a size that is appropriate and suits the formatting well, such as 24.

Readability is key  for a hiring manager to seek out the relevant information as quickly as possible to decide whether your simple resume makes it to the shortlist. Check out more tips on how to write your resume on our  Blog .

The simpler, the better.

When it comes to compiling your perfect job application, don’t forget to include a  simple resume cover letter  too which can give further details on any professional or academic achievements and even be used to explain any discrepancies in a candidate’s work history if appropriate.

Simple resume examples

For some jobseekers, the best way to go about applying for a job is by using a  simple resume template  which shows examples of how to write, format and finish a professional yet basic resume.

Simple resume examples  allow candidates to get ideas for what to include and how to best present their details in a straightforward manner that will give the hiring manager exactly what they want, without having to search through reams of text. A  good simple resume sample  will give jobseekers a visual to see how it’s possible to make themselves stand out without creating a flashy, design led resume, through creating a standard, yet professional layout.

Recent grad resume samples  are also useful for many first-time jobseekers who are just getting started with their career and have yet to experience the recruiting jungle. By employing  clear resume sections that highlight the most relevant and significant information  to the individual job post and candidate profile, simple resumes allow jobseekers to deliver their application without any fuss.

Another  advantage of simple resume examples  is that they can be used as a springboard for all kinds of jobseekers to make a more elaborate, creative resume or to  adapt as necessary for each individual . Simple resume templates are available on  ResumeCoach’s online resume maker , which allow jobseekers to personalize with their professional information as they require.

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Simple Resume

What is a simple resume.

A simple resume is one that uses a straightforward, text-only format and a traditional font. It takes a minimalist approach to content and doesn’t contain any images or complex design elements. They’re visually organized, highly readable, and free from unnecessary components. 

Using a basic format like this helps hiring managers easily scan your document and quickly identify your qualifications. Its design ensures the reader isn’t distracted by font, color, or image choices and can instead focus on your skills. 

Who should a simple resume?

• People who prefer a clean and simple style
• Applicants for jobs that require a text-only resume
• New graduates and people who don’t have a lengthy work experience to showcase
• Candidates who want to keep the focus on their qualifications

Who shouldn’t use a simple resume?

• Job seekers in creative fields like design or media
• Candidates who want to include more than just the fundamental information
• Applicants to companies that heavily value innovation or originality

Simple resume format and key components

Resumes using a simple style look similar to one another. They include a handful of core resume components, which are usually stacked one above the other in a single-column layout. The order of those components may vary slightly from one candidate to the next. 

The simple resume format does not include customized design elements like graphics or creative formatting.

Here are the resume components you’ll want to include if you’re using this format:

• Contact information You only need to include the basics: your address, phone number and email. If you have a LinkedIn you wish to share you can add that as well. This gives the hiring manager the information they need to get in touch with you without taking up excessive space.
• Objective or summary This is a brief statement that says what you’re looking for or your key qualifications as a candidate. In a simple resume format, this section can be brief–just one or two sentences or even a few bullet points is fine.
• Experience List your work history by position in reverse-chronological order. Include the title of the job, the company name, and the dates you were employed. Stick to simple text formatting that’s consistent from one job to the next; our sample resume shown here uses bold for the job title, normal text for the company name, and italics for the dates of employment. This makes it ultra-easy for a hiring manager to quickly assess your experience and see your job progression. The minimalist style also extends to the content. So, when describing your work experience, use clear and direct language. Eliminate unnecessary words and “fluff” and stick to quantifiable accomplishments.
• Education This section can also be brief, requiring just your degree and the school you attended. It’s optional to include the dates.
• Skills This may be in a bullet-point list or straight text. List technical skills like software proficiency, soft skills like customer service, and job-specific skills like data analysis. Be sure to address the key qualifications called for in the job description so the reader can easily see if you fit the criteria.

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To quickly convey an applicant’s qualifications in a clean and easy-to-read format. They’re a good choice when a text-only resume is required, like with application systems that require you to copy and paste your resume into a text box.

It’s a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to organize numerous elements or deal with complex formatting. They can be useful when you want to focus the hiring manager’s attention on your most relevant qualifications, like your current job, and eliminate irrelevant information like previous jobs in an unrelated field.

A simple resume should contain the candidate’s contact information, an objective statement or summary, their work experience, education, and skills.

While most follow a similar format, there is no required order in which the elements must appear. You can arrange the sections in a simple resume based on what you want to emphasize.

A simple resume uses only basic formatting and is briefer than a traditional resume. It’s typically limited to a single page and doesn’t include any complex design elements, like custom fonts or multiple columns.

It’s fine to include only your last two to three roles. If you want to showcase a more extensive work history or you’re applying for a job that requires it, a less basic resume format may be the better choice.

The straightforward formatting of a simple resume makes it a great option for professionals who’ve held multiple positions at the same company. For example, you might list company names in all caps and position titles in bold. This formatting makes it very easy to understand that these were sequential positions under the same employer.

References should not be included in a simple resume.

Ideally one page to make sure the hiring manager sees all the most important information. Other formats, like traditional and creative resumes, may extend beyond a single page.

In a simple resume, use a basic, traditional font that can be read by all types of applications. Tahoma, Arial, and Verdana are good options.

Since a simple resume uses fewer words than other resume formats, it’s essential to choose those words widely. Zero in on the most important keywords in the job description or use a keyword finder tool to help you identify which words and phrases to include in your resume. Related: How to find keywords in a job description to use in your resume

One of the most common mistakes candidates make when creating a simple resume is including too much information. Only include details and experience that are directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. Another common mistake is using inconsistent formatting. Be sure your format choices, like the font styles and sizes you use for each resume element, are consistent throughout your document.

It’s up to you whether to include an objective section. In a simple resume, which aims to convey information clearly and efficiently, using an objective can help you give the hiring manager an instant summary of what makes you a strong candidate.

You shouldn’t include supplemental information like hobbies or interests if you’re trying to keep a streamlined style.

Reviewed and verified by Pete Newsome

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How to Write a Simple, Effective Resume (+20 Examples)

Published: October 04, 2023

A great resume can help get you noticed by prospective employers. But what makes a resume “great”? How do you catch recruiters’ attention, encourage them to read your resume, and ultimately call you for an interview?

Two words: Simple and effective.

In this piece, we’ll offer a step-by-step guide to writing a simple, effective resume . Then, we’ll showcase 20 examples of what this looks like in practice. Ready to level up your resume-writing technique? Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Simple Resume

20 simple resume examples.

While resume specifics vary depending on the type of job you’re looking for and the experience required, there are seven steps that apply in any circumstance to help your resume stand out.

1. Pick a format.

Before you start writing, pick a format that suits both your personal style and works for the position being offered.

For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, it may be worth including images on your resume that help highlight your skills.

If the job you’re after is a highly technical engineering role, meanwhile, you may want something more straightforward.

Regardless of the format you choose, the goal is simplicity. Don’t clutter the resume with extraneous information or conflicting colors. Instead, let your experience and interest speak for themselves.

2. Start with your contact information.

No surprise here — prospective employers need to know how they can contact you. Despite the necessity of this contact data, however, it’s not uncommon to see it missed on resumes or left until the bottom of the page.

Best bet? Put your details — including name, phone number, and email address — at the top of the page as a header.

3. Include an overview.

Next is an overview of your professional profile. This may include details about your current position along with any titles or degrees you hold.

Depending on the role, you may also want to include links to digital portfolios or work you’ve published online.

4. List your education and experience.

Education and experience are up next.

This should be a simple list of your educational history, including any degrees or certificates you’ve earned and when you earned them, followed by a list of your previous work experience.

Bullet points work well here: Each bullet point represents a different job and includes details such as job title, responsibilities, and how long you were employed.

5. Speak to your skills.

Now it’s time to talk about your skills as they relate to the job being offered.

Wherever possible, use keywords from the job advertisement itself. This is because many companies now use automated resume analysis and tracking systems that may prioritize these keywords.

6. Highlight any relevant certifications.

Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or certifications.

For example, if you’re applying with an IT security firm, you could highlight certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) qualification.

7. Add any relevant details.

Finally, add any other details that are relevant to the job, such as volunteer experience in a related field or any professional accolades for your work.

Simple, effective resumes offer the best chance of getting noticed, but there’s no one-size-fits-all template when it comes to design.

Here are 20 simple resume examples .

1. Modern Initials (Word)

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