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184 Free Downloadable Resume Templates [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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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

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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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• Computer science
• 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.

Modern Resume Templates

The easiest way to bring your resume into the 21st century - with these contemporary and timeless resume designs that won't need to be updated for years to come.

Browse templates by resume style

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

Use our suggestions to complete your resume 5x faster.

‍ what is a modern resume.

Modern resumes have sleek designs that convey a sense of calm collectedness. These resumes are fresh and bold with elegant fonts and clean lines. Colors are incorporated in tasteful moderation, boasting creativity while still maintaining a high degree of professionalism.  

Modern resumes help you appear contemporary and trendy. This is great if you’re applying to a relatively new company or one that has a contemporary culture. 

Tip: Use colors in a way that highlights important parts of the resume without making it hard to read. For example, the body of the resume should always be black, but use blues, greens, purples, or even reds to color the titles of your sections. For more information on when to use colors — and which colors are appropriate — read our advice for choosing colors for your resume.

  When to use a modern template?

As mentioned above, individuals applying to new companies, such as startups, or to companies with a young audience or product should use modern resumes. Similarly, professionals in the tech, IT, marketing, design and media fields can benefit from modern resumes. 

Modern resumes are also ideal if you’re looking to present yourself as fresh and innovative. The bold, stylish designs will capture a recruiter’s attention and may even buy your resume a few more precious seconds of their attention. 

Tip: A modern resume template can pique a recruiter’s interest, but keeping it there can prove tricky. Use strong action verbs to detail your work experiences and skills. For ideas, check out our list of action-packed verbs .

10 key points of a modern resume format

• Color. Modern resumes rely on striking colors such as blue, green, and purple to highlight important pieces. This keeps the recruiter organized and attentive while reading. 
• White Space. The resume body is evenly balanced by the white space. Since modern resume templates employ bold design elements, standard margins and clean space keep the sections clear and legible. 
• Stylish Fonts. The fonts are tastefully fashionable, helping the resume glitter amidst its duller brethren. These fonts also provide an air of freshness while still maintaining professionalism.  
• Strong Header . Modern resumes make your name and contact information the center of the resume. This bolded or flashy header demonstrates your confidence and reminds the reader of your credentials (i.e., doctor or CPA). 
• Headshot or Logo. Many modern resumes include a headshot or logo in order to develop personal branding. This also reminds the recruiter that you are indeed a real-life person, which can help you feel more relatable.
• Room for Experiences. The modern resume strategically uses design elements in order to amplify the body of the resume itself. This means your work experiences become the focal point, and you should list all relevant certifications and education experiences. 
• 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 .  
• Clean Lines. The modern resume template incorporates lines and other design features in order to organize the resume. These elements break the resume sections into chunks, which improves readability and saves the recruiter from feeling overwhelmed.  
• Hobbies. Modern companies claim to be interested in who “you” are as a person in order to see if you fit their culture. This means you can list a few relevant hobbies on your resume. For example, if you work in the marketing industry, note that you enjoy art or reading. For more information, check out How to Include Hobbies on Your Resume . 
• Profile Summary. Write a concise summary about your qualifications and how it relates to the position you’re seeking. The modern 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. So, it’s imperative that your summary sparkles!

Where to download a modern resume template?

Easy Resume offers a variety of modern 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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• Modern Resume Templates

Modern, creative resumes are sure to wow recruiters. To get started, click an image below and simply replace the template text with your own. It’s really that easy!

An elegant design featuring a visually pleasing layout and easy-to-read format that emphasizes your strengths and accomplishments.

Perfect for creating a one-page resume, highlighting your skills and projects. Great for software engineers and developers.

Double Column

A popular choice for many roles, including customer support, programming and marketing.

The top template for positions such as upper management, project managers, and product owners in 2023.

A visually striking template that highlights your header and entices recruiters to continue reading. Suitable for any industry.

A one-page resume template tailored for professionals with a lot of experience in upper-management roles.

In This Guide:

Understanding the modern resume template, when and why to use a modern resume, elements of a modern resume, five job positions where a modern resume shines.

The modern resume template provides you with a way to communicate your experience in a more visually engaging way with design elements and different layouts. This format allows you to highlight key information with:

• Backgrounds

The modern resume’s minimalist design ultimately enhances the content with various elements (e.g. sidebars, graphs, etc.), thus showing your suitability for the role.

Using a professional modern resume template can help you:

• to stand out amongst candidates;в
• hint at your personality and understanding of design;
• use visual storytelling to highlight your experience ;

The aim of the modern resume format is to strike the right balance (in your professional presentation) between your self-expression and recruiters' expectations.

The modern resume template provides professionals with a double-column layout (one being a sidebar). The goal is to fit your experience into no more than a single page.

The modern resume layout's main emphasis is on the top one-third, allowing plenty of space to personalize your:

• Header - the design could include a full-width one;
• Summary - providing a snapshot of your expertise and role alignment;
• Skills and Achievements - your strengths become at the forefront of recruiters' focus.

One vital thing that stands out about the modern resume template format is that it fits enough relevant information and is easy to scan. The reason is that the modern resume includes:

• concise, essential information - targeted to the role you're applying for;
• white spaces - to clear away any clutter, highlight distinct sections, and make your resume more readable;
• typography formatting - bold and italicized for keywords/skills, etc.

The best modern resume templates have a clean look and feel, and provide space for creativity like with a “My Time” section that you can find on Enhancv resumes.

Different design elements are used to cleverly emphasize relevant information. Check out some Enhancv best practices below:

• Use icons for resume sections like achievements and strengths to help recruiters pinpoint your unique professional value;
• Illustrate your skills (and language ) competencies with progress bars/ sliders and charts to give a better idea of your proficiency level;

Visual elements need to enhance and balance the design, not take away from what matters most - your experience and skills.

Modern resumes vs traditional resumes

Let's compare how the modern resume template differentiates from the traditional one.

We'll focus on three main elements.

1. Modern Design template vs traditional one

The modern resume template has a stylish and sleek design with ample white spaces.

On the other hand, the traditional resume design is more formal and conservative.

2. Length of a modern resume vs a traditional one

Modern resumes are more concise to prioritize key achievements / essential information.

Traditional resumes can be up to two pages long to detail more responsibilities and achievements.

3. The top-one-third of the modern resume vs a traditional one

Modern resume templates prioritize the top-one-third of the resume via headlines , links to portfolios, and summary .

Traditional resumes opt for a more simplified resume top-one-third. Where LinkedIn or portfolio links aren’t a must and an objectives section (or personal statements) is included.

Read on and learn how to write a modern resume.

Before we dive into the best-case scenarios of when you should be using a modern resume template, let's look at six reasons why.

You should use a modern resume layout to:

• Reflect your aesthetic as fresh and innovative while highlighting what matters most (key skills and accomplishments);
• Match the brand - below we'll detail which companies/ industries suit the modern resume template;
• Stand out with a bold, contemporary layout;
• Increase the chances your resume will be reviewed by a human as this layout is Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS - or the software used to assess applicants) compatible;
• Make a positive first impression by demonstrating an array of soft skills (e.g. up-to-date with design trends and standards; presentation);
• Save time - Enhancv's tools allow you to easily customize your resume by curating the sections that best fit your experience and selecting from plenty of exciting color combinations.

Find the modern resume layout that best suits your personality and fits the role you're applying for.

This next part will examine when it's a good idea to use a professional, modern resume template.

Use the modern resume template to become synonymous with innovation

It’s especially useful for those of you who:

• think you are a visionary;
• want to work for a contemporary company;
• come from a creative or technical background;
• have developed a unique personal brand;
• deem it relevant to stand out.

This resume format is a sure way to signal to potential employers that you are on the same page as them.

Use the modern resume template to align with the industry you’re working in.

The modern resume template is beneficial for all industries that call for a bold approach.

The two most popular innovative fields are:

• The creative industry (graphic design, marketing, advertising, media, etc.). Roles within the profession value visual presentation, design skills, and outside-the-box thinking.
• Technology or IT-related (software development, web design, data analysis, IT project management). The modern resume template shows recruiters you are well aware of current design trends and technologies.

The modern resume format isn't a good call for more conservative industries like academia, where a more standard approach is called for.

Use the modern resume template to tailor your profile to the company you’re applying at.

Applying to a company (or startup ) that uses any of the following adjectives as part of their description - “youthful”, “hip”, and/or “cutting-edge” (imagine the likes of Google, Tesla, Shopify, Facebook, and Spotify)?

Your ability to embrace change, new approaches, and technological innovations is what will resonate the most with these types of organizations.

That's why the sleek, modern resume template is the right choice for you. It'd help you align your profile to the brand's culture.

Use the modern resume template to match the role you’re applying for.

The modern resume template could be appropriate if you apply for any position and at any level of the hierarchy.

Let's use entry-level professionals as an example.

They could use this format to compensate for their lack of extensive experience .

And thus shift the focus in a visually appealing and succinct manner to:

• skills and achievements;
• education and relevant projects;
• portfolio/ social media and personal interests.

These sections may not be entirely related to official job experience, but it’s a trick to turn a problem into an opportunity.

As a result, your resume will look complete and will show some advantages that might otherwise remain hidden.

Use the modern resume template to stand out with a bold and contemporary look.

The modern resume's striking layout makes a great first impression on recruiters.

Add some flavor to your resume by using vivid colors to highlight the section headings. Just make sure to use no more than three colors.

This personalized design could help you attain a more professional look and feel.

Modern resume layout

​​Enhancv's modern resume layout allows you to present your expertise and skills in either a single or double-column format.

We recommend using the second option (where you have a sidebar on either the left or right side). The two columns make critical information more presentable and show you made an effort to organize your resume.

Other vital sections that could make up your modern resume layout include

• Summary - describing your biggest successes and values (as a professional) in two-to-three sentences;
• Job experience - roles in reverse chronological order with achievements, presented via bullet points;
• Education - include more information about courses, only if they're relevant to the job;

On how long your resume should be, expect an additional page for every 10 years of work experience.

Additional sections to make your modern resume even more complete and show who you really are:

Ensure that content is always relevant and not just taking up space. And always make sure to use active language and strong action verbs - to show your character.

Using the modern resume space strategically

Now that we've covered the layout, let's discuss the white spaces and lines .

These crucial modern resume elements:

• increase the readability of your profile, thus making it more easily skimmable;
• clear the clutter to allow for breathing room between important skills and achievements.

Color and color combinations for a modern resume

Want to show just how creative you are with your profile?

Then, add some colors to your modern resume with Enhancv's builder. You could custom-pick the hues for:

• Primary information (e.g. your name, jobs, degrees, skills, etc.)
• Secondary information (e.g. header, companies, icons, universities, etc.)

And the choice is entirely up to you!

You could go for a more subtle palette - the standard black text and gray highlights, on a white background. Thus creating contrast with different shades.

Or, selecting brighter and more vivid colors for your modern resume, like orange and blue or green and pink.

Experiment with the tone of your resume sidebar - to reflect the secondary color of your choice.

One final heads up - select no more than three hues to match the standard, white background.

Want to go above and beyond with your modern resume design?

At Enhancv, we've updated our design elements with a colorful background - to suit even the most creative professionals.

Modern resume fonts and typography

When selecting the typography of your resume, you don't need to go all out with the trendiest fonts.

Instead, you can use time-tested and readable ones to help your resume stand out.

Enhancv users' favorites include bold and light fonts, such as Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, and Raleway. You can also use Arial, Inter, and Roboto if you’re doing your modern resume in Google Docs or Word.

Want to make key information stand out even further and more scannable? Elements within the top one-third of your resume (like your name, headline, or key achievements) can be bolded.

Unique design elements of modern resumes

The modern resume template allows you to get creative with unique design elements like

• icons to highlight different sections, such as Achievements or Skills;
• sidebars in different colors to focus attention on job requirements you match;
• background visuals (with 3D elements and colors) to stand out.

You could also further quantify your industry expertise; hard , soft , and language skills with sliders.

Want to shift the resume focus toward your hobbies?

Illustrate how you spend your time via a pie chart with up to seven slices, or add the covers of the books that inspire you.

Using graphics and icons is a strong advantage of modern resumes, but make sure to use them in moderation. Otherwise, you risk looking immature.

Digital Marketing Specialist

The world of marketing is cutting-edge, to say the least. Professionals have to always be one step ahead of consumers with ideas, creativity, and know-how.

Especially within the online space - where users' attention span is mere seconds.

And what better way to show your forward-facing vision than a modern resume template?

Where you have space to demonstrate that you don't merely understand and apply current trends, thanks to your experience .

But show within the achievements section how you've leveraged market insights to attain higher engagements.

And, also, how you've stayed ahead of the curve and set groundbreaking trends with the projects resume section.

Here’s an example from a digital marketing specialist with over five years of experience in SEO, PPC, and Content Writing.

UX/UI Designer

If you're looking for a role in UX/UI, you've realized just how important visual presentation is.

The look and feel of your digital project can boost the user experience and make it a memorable one.

Having this in mind, consider just how user-friendly your resume is (for recruiters or the ATS ).

The modern resume template offers you the perfect platform to show your understanding of design while staying professional.

With a contemporary, minimalistic aesthetic - you have the freedom to enjoy experimenting with colors and graphic elements.

Putting your experience at the forefront of design trends.

Notice just precisely how this UX/UI designer uses the two-column format to highlight key skills and achievements.

Data Scientist

The secret formula to becoming the best data scientist out there?

Your ability to take big sets of data and information and transform those into manageable (and easy to comprehend) assets.

That's exactly what the modern resume format would do for you.

Restructuring your complex experience: projects , frameworks, and structures into a clean, easy-to-scan (and understand) resume.

What is more, you could apply a multitude of design principles to appear as a more innovative professional.

This in terms would allow even the most non-technical recruiters to comprehend precisely how you're able to assess information to help maintain organizations' positive ROI.

Discover just how to apply the modern resume template to your experience below.

Product Manager in a Tech Startup

Innovation, bold ideas, and forward-thinking vision are what flow through startups ' veins.

And product managers are tasked with building precisely that vision - from the ground up by:

• strategizing and creating customer journey roadmaps;
• developing and launching products;
• understanding the ideal customer profile.

Why not go for a modern resume layout?

It's the perfect choice to showcase all the above responsibilities.

While highlighting your application as an on-trend, outside-the-box-thinking, compassionate (and empathetic) candidate.

Use this template to help recruiters understand why they should hire you:

Social Media Manager

Whether we're talking about META, TikTok, or even LinkedIn - social media remains perhaps one of the most faced-paced and dynamic environments out there.

Social media managers’ responsibilities are to constantly:

• predict consumer behavior;
• stay on trend with platform algorithms;
• ensure high engagement.

Consider your resume as a piece of content you're curating for clients - what would make it stand out ?

The modern resume format's contemporary twist and aesthetic allow you to bring creativity to the forefront of your application.

And also remind recruiters just how excellent you are at staying updated with the latest trends and developments.

Get ready for a resume with a clear, yet very contemporary look and feel - the perfect choice for social media roles.

Frequently asked questions about modern resume templates

How do you write a modern resume.

The modern resume is all about focusing on relevant content that is emphasized by vivid colors , bold fonts, a two-column layout (in some cases), and a lot of white space . It is also characterized by a strong top one-third, with action verbs packed in the Summary section and accents in the Achievements and Skills sections.

Should your resume have color?

Yes. Bright and vivid colors are used as accents on the sections' headings . The colors give a modern look and feel to the resume.

Is a modern resume template better than a traditional one?

Is it unprofessional to use a modern resume template, can a modern resume be two pages.

When it comes down to your resume, remember this rule of thumb: its page length depends on the amount of relevant experience you have. You can definitely go for a two-page format if you happen to have over 10 years of relevant experience. Otherwise, keep it short and simple with the one-page format .

How many columns should a modern resume have?

It could have either one or two columns . Use the two-column layout to spotlight your skills and achievements via a sidebar, which could be in a more vivid color.

What tone of voice to use on a modern resume?

The language of the modern resume should be active. Use plenty of action verbs , and always make sure to demonstrate just how you’ve achieved your success.

What are the best resume templates for a modern resume?

At Enhancv, we have plenty of choices to create an aesthetically pleasing, contemporary resume - we offer various templates depending on industries and jobs (e.g. IT, Sales, Arts), years of experience, and layouts.

• Resume Examples

3 Steps To Write A Killer eCommerce Resume

Resume wars: anakin skywalker vs darth vader, should i attach a cover letter or write it in the email, how many jobs should i apply for, destinee, an ambitious techie that never settles, resume keywords to land interviews and get hired.

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Create a Resume That You're Proud Of

Resume templates you can edit and download as pdf.

Update your resume quickly with a resume template. Pick your favorite template below and start filling in your information effortlessly.

The templates are ATS-friendly to ensure your resume won't be rejected by a system, and land on the recruiters desk.

Professional

A professional resume template which will surely make you stand out, with it's easy to read layout and crisp details.

A designer's resume template, which is very eye catching. If you're applying for a creative role, this template surely gives you an edge.

The classic resume template offers the most reader friendly layout as per many recruiters. Choose this template if you're sure to apply through many applicant tracking systems.

The minimalist resume template is ideal for a more conservative role. Use this template to demonstrate your sense of structure.

Our basic resume template offers a clear and unmistakable path to a complete resume. It gives you the idea of how to set up a resume with easy steps and a classic look.

Go with a creative resume template if you work within the fields of marketing, graphic design or similar. Your resume should ooze creativity and imagination.

With the functional resume template you emphasize your skills and other qualifications rather than your professional experiences. Choose this format if you have large gaps in your work history.

As a student it's important to put emphasis on the projects you've completed and core competencies that you already possess as you have limited work experience.

Proven simple resume template built to help you no matter which industry you work in.

Traditional

The traditional reverse chronological resume template, which still is a go to favourite by many.

A good looking modern resume template, where you effortlessly stand out with an eye-catching yet simple design.

A minimalistic and elegant resume template built to focus on your summary right away.

See what others say about Jofibo

I am very pleased to have found Jofibo when I needed to update my resume. A lot had happened since the last time I had been looking for a job and I also wanted a nicer layout. Everything was simple and straightforward and there were some great templates to choose from. The final result with my resume turned out well.

Before I was always really good at postponing writing my resume and apply for the job. With Jofibo I only need to look in one place because I have all that I need. It has made the job search more manageable and less demanding.

I rarely got called into job interviews before I started to use the platform but since I started using Jofibo I noticed an increase in the number of job interviews. Besides this I have only received positive feedback on my material and been told it looks professional and stylish.

YESSS - New job for me - THANKS Jofibo! Used a template from Jofibo for my job application. Very easy to use. Gorgeous designs to choose from. Lots of positive feedback and not least A NEW JOB! So cool to stand out from the crowd - Thank you for your help Jofibo!

Do I like your resume tool? No I don’t, I love it. It will really help me a lot in creating a good Linkedin profile and with my job search. I also saw that you have a career blog. The stuff there is tremendous.

I hadn't written an application in quite some years and hadn't needed to use my resume either. However, it hit the mark perfectly, as it was the first and only application I sent after deciding to seek new challenges instead of my current position.

The Best Resume Templates

Easily create a standout resume.

We designed our resume templates with you in mind. You start by choosing a template you like and then simply fill in the blanks. You can switch templates on the fly. It's easy, straightforward and painless. Our guide will help you zip through the resume writing process. Create a resume, then copy and edit it from your dashboard to match many different job positions.

Resume templates for every generation

Are you gen X, gen Z, millennial, or a boomer? With our resume templates you are completely covered. From traditional resume formats to modern resume formats. Seeking an internship or an executive position? It doesn't matter what job you're looking for—you'll never look for other resume templates ever again.

Resume formats and layouts

All our resume templates are designed for any resume format: reverse-chronological, combination, and functional resumes. You’ll find a great resume layout regardless of how much experience you have. One or two column templates, it's up to you. Just pick the template you like and start playing around with the formatting.

Professional resume templates, yet personal

All content matters. On average recruiters only spend 6 seconds scanning your resume. You get more interviews with a professional resume template. Our resume builder cleanly formats the resume template to ensure you don't get rejected by a system or don't get noticed by a recruiter.

Download resumes in PDF format

As you fill out your resume, your data is saved, and with a single click within the resume builder you can download as a 100% ATS-friendly PDF file. No flicking around many open windows, making it hard to track your progress. Our resume templates and resume builder are designed to help you build your resume in a structured and simple way.

Frequently asked questions

• 1. What is a resume?
• 2. What do I put on a resume?
• 3. How do I format my resume?
• 4. How long should my resume be?
• 5. How do I write a professional summary?
• 6. How do I list skills on my resume?

What is a resume?

A resume is a concise and often bulleted document that highlights your professional skills and work experience around a specific job description.

The purpose of the resume is to give a hiring manager an overview of how qualified you are, and how you best fit into the role of the job you are applying for.

Each job and job description are different, and by such you should also treat your resume the same way. Give your resume attention by slightly adjusting around the description of the job.

With our resume builder you can easily duplicate any already created resume and tailor it around a new job.

What do I put on a resume?

Your resume should always include the most relevant information about you that fits the description of the job that you are applying for. Even though you have to treat each resume differently, we highly recommend you to always include the following key elements on your resume :

• A concise and professional summary
• Your work experience
• Educational level
• Your relevant professional skills (both soft and hard skills)
• Any achievements / awards (think self promoting)

Your goal is to list the above key elements chronologically (reverse chronologically) and in the right order. In our resume builder we have created a set frame that defines the best way to portray your skills and experiences. That's why you can't customize all sections in our templates. A resume that seems to be randomly assembled will not show off your skills in a strong and professional manner and it is utterly important that you treat your resume with professionalism. We've got that covered for you.

How do I format my resume?

That depends on your objective, but most job seekers use a chronological format. A chronological resume lists your work experience in a reverse chronological order, from the most to the least recent. However, bear in mind that if you have had 10 different jobs during your career, you don't need to list all of them. Always think about the objective of the resume, and list the most relevant jobs you’ve had. For most people this means the latest three to five job positions.

Many studies show that recruiters and hiring managers on average spend only six seconds per resume, so it's in your best interests to put your finest qualities and accomplishments in a prominent position.

Our resume builder favors the reverse chronological format, but you can create a functional style format or even a hybrid if you desire, by adding custom sections.

Don't go with overly graphical and visually appealing resumes. It mostly creates an unclear objective and often becomes unreadable for the hiring manager and the applicant tracking systems. You only have six seconds, remember?

How long should my resume be?

If you don’t have a lot of experience, it is recommended that your resume is a one-pager. Keep it relevant. Listing paperboy routes just for the sake of adding experience to your resume is not recommended. It's about sending the right message and you only have a very short amount of time to impress the receiver of the document. Make it all count.

If you are an experienced professional, a two to three pages resume will suffice, but never go beyond three pages.

The objective for your first page is to match yourself to the job description as much as you can. Always be concise and try to ask yourself: is this experience or skill relevant for the job that I am applying for?

How do I write a professional summary?

A professional summary is a few sentences at the top of your resume that highlights your qualifications for a job. It is often the very first thing that hiring managers look for and read, so you want to get to the point fast.

We recommend that you write three to four sentences, where you highlight your most relevant strengths, skills, and core competencies that are unique to you as a candidate. In particular, demonstrate how you will add value to the company. Try asking yourself: Did you outperform the projected sales? Have you saved the company money? Did you streamline project management?

Including your core skills and putting them into company perspective will impress the hiring manager and is a great way to demonstrate your candidacy towards the job.

Get started by using action verbs or power words as they can often be used to demonstrate achievements.

Lastly, remember to always tailor your professional summary to the specific job listing.

How do I list skills on my resume?

We have two set of skills. Hard skills and soft skills . The hard skills are teachable abilities that you often learn in a classroom through training or reading. A typical hard skill is your proficiency in a foreign language, a specific certificate, a computer programming language or something similar. Hard skills are a short list of the relevant skills that you posses.

Soft skills are subjective skills. You could also call it "people skills" as soft skills relate to the way that you interact and relate to other people. Examples of soft skills are leadership, teamwork, work ethics, communication skills, or something similar. These skills are best incorporated to your resume by providing examples of where you have put them to use. You have to emphasize on both skill sets to give the hiring manager an overall idea of the person you are and the skills that you posses.

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3 Best Resume Formats for 2024 [W/ 5+ Professional Templates]

How you format your resume matters . 

When reviewing your resume, the first thing hiring managers notice is how your resume looks , not what it contains .

And if the first thing they see is a messy, cluttered, crowded resume, chances are you won’t make a great first impression.

So, this begs the question: what are the best resume formats, and which one should YOU use? 

That’s exactly what we’re here to explain! In this article, we’re going to cover:

• Resume Formatting Guidelines
• 5+ Resume Templates (You Can Steal)
• 3 Main Resume Formats (With Examples)
• Resume Format Pros and Cons
• How to Choose a Resume Format
• 7 Other Resume Resources 

Let’s dive right in! 

Resume Formatting Guidelines 

If you’re formatting your resume from scratch, you’ll first want to pay attention to the layout.  

That involves setting the margins, picking the font size, and determining your resume’s length. 

To create a professional-looking resume, follow these general formatting guidelines: 

• Don’t make your resume longer than one page . Unless you have 5+ years of relevant work experience, there’s no reason for your resume to be two or three pages long. 
• Pick an 11 or 12-pt font size and stick with it throughout your resume.
• Pick an attention-grabbing (but professional) font . We recommend Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass.  
• Use standard and legible resume sections . For example, your work experience should be called just that “Work Experience” and not “work history” or something else. 
• Leverage bullet points to list information such as work achievements and responsibilities, academic details , etc. They help make the resume much more reader-friendly. 
• Be consistent with resume formatting (e.g. use the same date format everywhere, instead of using 11.2018 in one place and November 2018 in another). 
• Have good line spacing. You don’t want the information on your resume to look all cramped up. 
• Always save your resume as a PDF file . It’s the safest choice, as it guarantees your resume layout will stay intact no matter what device opens it. Only save your resume as MS Word if the job you’re applying for specifically requires you to and never, ever, submit a JPEG or PNG of your resume.

New to resume-making? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

6 Free Resume Templates (You Can Start Usign Now!) 

Formatting a resume from start to finish can be a time and energy-consuming process.

 If you’re building your resume with Word, for example, you’ll have to spend at least an hour tweaking the margins, making the headers and body text uniform, picking a font, and so on. You’ll spend an hour or two before you can even start filling in the resume contents!

And if all of that wasn’t enough, one misplaced sentence here or a wrong click there, and your resume layout starts spilling over to page 2!

Want to skip all the hassle of resume formatting? Check out some of our free, tried-and-tested resume templates , pick out your favorite, and fill it in as you go: 

#1. Basic Resume Template

Good for conservative, traditional industries. 

If you want to focus on your resume’s contents rather than its design, then the Basic template is for you. With a concise and well-organized layout, this resume format highlights everything the hiring manager wants to see. 

#2. College Resume Template

Good for university students, recent graduates, and entry-level professionals.

If you’re applying for internships or entry-level jobs, you’ll want to show off your skills, academic achievements, and whatever work experience you have. Well, that’s exactly what this template does! 

Not to mention, its contemporary style is perfect for younger candidates who want their resume to be as visually appealing as it is professional. 

#3. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior executives who may be applying in creative or green industries . While very professionally formatted, it also shows off a tinge of personality with its blue color scheme. 

#4. Modern Resume Template

Good for professionals in the business world or IT industries. 

Square brackets, bullet lists, infographics, and icons work together in this template to attract the hiring manager’s attention and get them to go over your work experience and achievements in depth. 

#5. Creative Resume Template

Good for anyone applying to creative industries such as marketing , design, publishing, and entry-level professionals. 

If you’re looking to stand out visually as much as through your skills and achievements, this is the template for you. Creative is designed to be a stylish resume that makes a stunning first impression while remaining professional. 

#6. Simple Resume Template

Good for senior professionals with a lot of work experience who are in conservative industries such as law or banking. 

The well-organized and professional formatting in this resume template is visually modest, allowing your achievements to do the talking. 

What Are the 3 Main Resume Formats? 

Now that we covered all the basics, let’s talk about resume formats in detail . 

The first thing you want to know is that there are three main resume formats out there, namely:

• The reverse-chronological resume format. This is the most common and practical resume format in 2024.
• The functional resume format is also known as the skills-based resume format.
• The combination resume format , or hybrid resume format, is a combination of the other two formats.

At this point, you’re probably asking yourself how these 3 formats are different from each other. 

Well, the main difference is that they focus on different parts of an applicant’s experience by listing sections in different orders.

Here is what we mean by that: 

So, in a nutshell: 

• The reverse-chronological resume format focuses on your work experience , listing them from most to least recent.
• The functional resume format focuses on your skills that are relevant to the job.
• The combination resume format focuses on your experience and skills by aiming to prove that you possess the skills you list through your work achievements.

What’s the Best Resume Format For Me? 

So far so good - you now know all about the three main resume formats and how they’re different from each other. 

Now, you probably want to know what the optimal format is for YOUR resume. 

Well, mainly, that depends on what point you’re at in your career. Meaning: 

• If you’re a seasoned professional or if you’re looking to get hired in an industry where you have tons of experience, you should pick the reverse-chronological format.
• If you’re applying in a creative industry or for a position that prioritizes your skillset instead of your work history, then you can go for the functional resume format.
• If you’re looking to get hired in a position that requires both experienced and skilled applicants, then the combination format is your best bet.

And now, let’s go over each resume format to see how you can use them to your advantage, based on some real-life examples: 

#1. Reverse Chronological Resume Format

As we mentioned before, the reverse-chronological resume format is the most popular format in 2024.

It usually looks like this:

The main thing about this resume format is that it’s useful for practically every job-seeker.

The reverse-chronological format has a very simple structure, it’s easy to skim, and overall, it’s the most popular format around the globe.

For this reason alone, we typically recommend using this format to most people  - even if using one of the other formats also makes sense. 

Here’s what you’d include in a reverse-chronological resume:

• Contact Information - Your name, phone number, location, and email address. In some cases, you can include useful links such as a LinkedIn or GitHub profile. 
• Resume Summary or Objective - A brief 2-4 sentence summary of your work experience, or your objective for applying for a given position.
• Professional Title - Your title. This should mirror the exact position you’re applying for.
• Work Experience - Your work experience in reverse-chronological order. When possible, talk about achievements over responsibilities.
• Skills Section - Skills relevant to the position you’re applying for.
• Education - Your educational history. Pro tip - if you have a B.A., feel free to skip your high school education.
• Optional Sections - Sections like volunteering, projects, portfolio, hobbies , etc. While they’re not a game-changer, they can help fill up some space on your resume.

As we already mentioned, this resume format primarily focuses on the one part that’s relevant to most hiring managers - your work history . 

As such, the key to making the most out of this resume format is nailing the work experience section. To do that, here’s how you should structure it: 

• Start with your most recent job and go backward from there. 
• Tailor the section to the job description. This means that you shouldn’t list every job you ever worked - only the ones that are relevant for this one. 
• For each job that you list, include your job title , the name of the company, the location, and the time period you worked there. 
• Below, add four to five bullet points for recent jobs and two to three bullet points for earlier jobs. 
• Focus on your achievements instead of your responsibilities. Hiring managers already know the basic responsibilities of the jobs they’re hiring for. So, rather than your responsibilities, they want to learn about your achievements. 
• Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Facts and numbers are more convincing than words. 
• Use action verbs and power words . (E.g. “created” instead of “was responsible for creating” ). 

Reverse-Chronological Format Example

As we already mentioned, the best thing about the reverse-chronological format is that it’s a great choice whether you’re an entry-level worker or a seasoned professional. 

Any relevant experience you’ve got, the chronological experience will highlight effectively. 

For example, here’s a digital marketer’s resume work experience section created using the reverse-chronological format:

Digital Marketing Manager

Wonderfull Agency Inc. 

06/2017 - Present 

• Created a new format for reporting and presenting the sales, customer engagement and Google Ads reports that decreased the number of meetings by 24% in the last three quarters.
• Updated and monitored the Bid Strategy in Google Ads and Bing Ads which resulted in a CTR increase of 3.2% in the first month.
• Redesigned the webpage UX, decreasing customer turnover by 25% within a period of two months. 
• Conducted keyword research for updating the product pages on the online shop, increasing the organic keywords in the Top 100 by 5.600 and in the Top 10 by 315 for high-volume searches. 

Digital Marketing Specialist 

Company X  

02/2015 - 05/2017 

• Collaborated with a copywriter and designer to update landing pages based on search intent, increasing conversion rates by 20% on average for select clients. 
• Worked directly with company clients, handling their Google Ads accounts. 
• Managed a total of $40,000 in ad spend per month. 
• Achieved an average of 200% ROAS overall ad accounts. 

Reverse Chronological Resume Format Pros & Cons

Still not sure if the reverse-chronological resume format is the right choice for you? See our pros and cons below!

• Recruiters and HR managers prefer this format.
• It will definitely “beat” Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software.
• Provides a reader-friendly chronological history of your work experience.
• The most popular resume format in 2024.
• You need to make your work achievements stand out to catch the recruiter’s attention. 
• Hard to fill in for a recent graduate with no work experience. 
• Makes career gaps very obvious. If you’re a career changer, you need to explain those employment gaps on your resume.

#2. Functional Resume Format 

As we already mentioned, the functional resume format is also known as the skills-based resume format. Here’s an example of what it looks like: 

As the name suggests, the functional resume format focuses on your skills and your key strengths. 

In a nutshell, this resume format takes the spotlight away from your work experience by highlighting what you’re good at instead. 

As such, this resume format is perfect for recent graduates or career changers who have little-to-no experience in a particular field. 

Here’s what to include in a functional resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Professional Title
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills
• Work Experience

As you can see, the main difference from the reverse-chronological format is that the focus of the functional resume is the skills summary and the resume objective that’s placed right at the top of the resume. 

Here is exactly how you should write them to impress the hiring manager: 

• Use your resume objective to state your career intent and explain what makes you the ideal candidate for the job. 
• Start off your resume objective by mentioning a skill, education, or certification relevant to the job, mention the responsibilities you could handle, and include your motivation for working that particular job. 
• In the skills summary, include four or five skills that are most relevant to the position. 
• Instead of just listing your skills, be descriptive. In bullet points or in plain paragraphs, give examples of how you applied these skills in practice and try to make them as quantifiable as possible. 

Functional Format Example

Let’s assume that you’re an entry-level journalist. 

Since you graduated, you’ve worked as a part-time intern at a magazine and published a dozen articles online and in print. You also run a blog that has a modest but loyal readership. 

Now, you want to apply for an actual journalism position at a recently founded newspaper. So, you’re using the functional resume format. 

Here’s why it’s the right choice: 

• It highlights your skills. In this case, you don’t have the experience to apply for the job, but you may have all the right skills. 
• It allows you to prove your skills. There’s ample space to show exactly how you can put your skills to use for the upcoming job. 

Now let’s see what your resume objective and skills summary (or areas of strength) would look like in this case: 

Resume Objective

Driven and hardworking journalism graduate looking to get hired as a reporter in The Daily Prophet. I interned at Who Magazine for six months, where I gained hands-on experience in research, fact-checking, and interviewing. Passionate blogger at Fake Blog Website, which is currently followed by over two thousand readers. 

Skills Summary 

Research & Fact checking

• Able to systematically look for information, resources, data, etc. through a variety of sources, such as books, online directories, or social media. 
• Careful to always ensure that every claim and data that gets published is accurate and legitimate. 

Interviewing

• Full knowledge of journalism ethics and standards that are required to conduct successful and dignified interviews. 
• Skilled at connecting with interviewees on a deeper level to ensure comprehensive and detailed interviews. 
• Excel at several types of journalistic writing, including news, feature writing, columns, and reviews.
• Have published over 15 articles in different newspapers and magazines since graduating. 

Considering that the functional resume focuses solely on a candidate’s skills, the only groups of candidates who should consider using it are: 

• Freelancers with impressive portfolios 
• Professionals in creative industries
• Career changers 
• Recent graduates, and entry-level professionals
• Military veterans passing into civilian roles

So, to sum it all up: 

Functional Resume Format Pros & Cons

• Good for highlighting specific skills.
• Useful if you’re switching careers since you can explain how your skills transfer to the new job.
• Useful if you’re a recent graduate with practical skills but not much work experience.
• The functional resume format is not very popular in 2024, and most recruiters and hiring managers aren’t familiar with it, so using this format carries a bit of a risk.
• Since the functional resume has less focus on work experience, recruiters might think you’re trying to hide something.
• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) have difficulties reading functional resumes.

#3. Combination Resume Format

The combination resume format , also known as the “hybrid,” is a mixture of the functional and the reverse-chronological format.

This resume format gives equal attention to an applicant’s skills section and work experience. As such, you end up including both the Skill Summary and the Work Experience sections:

• Skill Summary

The focal point here is the skills summary. Placed right after the contact information section, this is where you list the skills that are required for the job and then prove that you have them through your professional experience and achievements. 

Here is exactly how you should write it: 

• List the skills that are required for the position you’re applying for and that you actually possess. 
• Add up to 4 professional achievements underneath each skill to prove that you possess it. 
• Make your achievements as descriptive and quantifiable as possible. 

Combination Format Example

Say you’re a senior program manager with over a decade of experience in your field. 

You can plan, execute, evaluate programs and projects across diverse industries, and inspire your team to do great work. 

Recently, someone told you about an opening for a program director in an international company. To apply, you’re putting together a hybrid resume format. 

Here’s what makes it the best choice: 

• Saves space. For highly competitive positions, you want your resume to be able to cut through the noise. The hybrid format allows you to do that by bringing into focus your most relevant achievements right from the start.
• Combines the best parts of the other two resume formats, which is perfect for senior professionals or executives that have plenty to show for both experience and skills. 

For example, some of the skills required for the program director gig mentioned above may include interpersonal skills , budget management, and project management. 

Here’s what the skills summary in your hybrid resume would look like in practice: 

Interpersonal Skills

• Initiated formal and informal coaching and mentorship to 50+ team members regarding project charter development, resource planning, best practices of project management, and appropriate delivery of project outcomes. 
• Coordinated all project inputs with several functional/technical directors, managers, and project core teams, to formulate appropriate project tools and methodologies. 

Budget Management 

• Oversaw the implementation of the enterprise’s multi-year, multi-million dollar research system software that benefited employees company-wide. 
• Analysis of financial and statistical data reduced operational costs by 12%.
• Strategically supervised the project execution teams to ensure the timely and cost-effective completion of projects, saving the company $250K in project costs. 

Project Management

• Provided strategic direction, leadership, and project governance for a multimillion-dollar application project portfolio, which successfully supported a population of 60K+ end-users across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Streamlined project management methodologies and communication in the IT division, which increased efficiency by 90%. 
• Accurately report on project status throughout its life cycle to 20+ project teams, stakeholders, and sponsors, encompassing budget estimation, scheduling, and resource planning.

Combination Resume Format Pros and Cons 

• Allows you to show off more of your experience and skills using less space.
• Useful for very senior professionals or executives who need to highlight more than just their work experience.
• Good for applicants who may have a noticeable employment gap but plenty of work experience nonetheless.
• As with the functional resume format, applicant tracking systems have difficulties reading combination resumes.
• If you’re a recent graduate or don’t have much work experience, this resume format is not very useful.
• As is the case with the functional resume, most hiring managers aren’t very familiar with this format, which might cause some confusion in the process.

The Verdict: What Is the Best Resume Format?  

Now that we’ve covered all 3 of the common resume formats, you’re probably wondering which one's best resume format out there .

Here’s our verdict:

In 90%+ of the cases, we’d recommend going with a reverse-chronological resume format.

In 2024, it’s the most common and useful format:

• Applicant tracking systems can read it without any problems.
• All recruiters and hiring managers are familiar with this format.
• Whether you’re a recent graduate or a senior professional, it’s the easiest format to work with.

So, even if you’re a career changer, a highly-qualified professional, or a college student, it’s risky to choose one of the other two formats over the reverse-chronological one.

There’s a good chance that the applicant tracking system won’t be able to read your resume and automatically discard it - after all the time you put into creating the resume!

At the same time, recruiters might just not be familiar with these resume formats, or think that you’re just trying to hide the fact that you’re not experienced, and disqualify you based on that.

So, the rule of thumb - when in doubt, go for the reverse-chronological resume.

Looking for CV writing tips instead? Here's our full guide on how to write a CV !

How to Beat the ATS Software

Did you know that 75% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ? 

Instead, they get scanned by ATS software, which evaluates your resume and decides whether it’s relevant enough for the hiring manager to give it a look.

At first, ATS software was used by larger companies that receive thousands of applications daily as a way to filter out irrelevant applicants. Today, though, studies show that most companies use ATS to evaluate applicants. 

As worrying as this thought may be, you’ll be glad to know there is a way to beat ATS and get your resume on top of the hiring manager’s desk:

Creating an ATS-friendly resume ! 

Here is a handy list of our top tips for making a resume that beats applicant tracking systems: 

• Place your contact information at the top of your resume. 
• Sprinkle specific keywords from the job description throughout your resume. 
• Avoid using graphics or charts as part of your resume. 
• Save your resume in PDF format. 

7 Other Resume Resources

Picking the right resume format is just the first step in creating a convincing resume.

Want to learn how to make a resume that lands you the job?

Check out some of our best career resources!

• Job Search Masterclass - This one’s our flagship e-book. It covers literally everything you need to know about job-search: how to make a resume, how to write a cover letter, how to apply for jobs effectively, what are the most common job interview questions, and a LOT more. The book is jam-packed with value, and illustrated, making it an extremely easy read.
• How to Make a Resume - Our comprehensive guide on how to make a resume from A to Z.
• Interview Questions And Answers - Have a hard time with job interviews? This guide features ALL the most common job interview questions that you might encounter.
• How to Write a Cover Letter - Our ultimate guide on writing a cover letter (free templates included!)
• 50+ Resume Examples - Need some inspiration with your resume? Check out our resume examples for 50+ different positions and fields.
• 43+ Resume Tips - A complete list of all our resume tips, ordered by importance.
• 26+ Interview Mistakes - Whatever you do, avoid making these common interview mistakes.

And of course, for more industry-leading job-search advice, make sure to follow our career blog !

FAQ on Resume Formats

Do you still have some questions about resume formatting? We’ll get them answered here!

1. What’s the best resume format in 2024?  

For the majority of job-seekers, the best resume format in 2024 is the reverse-chronological resume format. This resume format involves listing your resume information (e.g. your work experience and your education) starting with the most recent one and going backward through relevant jobs, degrees, or qualifications. 

Here’s why the reverse chronological resume format is the best choice: 

• It’s easy to read and skim through
• Hiring managers are familiar with it because it’s the most commonly used one
• It’s ATS-friendly, which means Applicant Tracking Systems can scan it with ease
• It brings your career progression and professional achievements into the spotlight

2. What is the correct format for a college student resume? 

The best resume format for a college student resume is the reverse-chronological format .

While it is true that a functional resume can help you emphasize your skills more than work experience, it comes with two serious problems:

• Recruiters aren’t familiar with it, and they might think you’re trying to hide the fact that you don’t have work experience.
• Applicant tracking systems have trouble reading this resume format. 

So, unless you have absolutely no experience to show for it (meaning, not even unpaid internships, or even college projects with relevant responsibilities for the job you’re applying for), then you should still choose the reverse-chronological resume format over the skills-based one. 

If you’re worried about your lack of work experience , don’t. For most entry-level positions and internships, you’re not required to have work experience. 

3. What is the best resume format for a job seeker with experience? 

The best resume format for a job-seeker with plenty of experience in the industry they’re applying for is the reverse-chronological format. 

Here’s what makes the reverse-chronological format the best choice: 

• It puts emphasis on your strengths as an applicant, namely your professional experience. 
• It shows recruiters exactly what they’re looking for (your achievements and qualifications) from the get-go. 

4. Is resume format important? 

Yes, the resume format you choose is important. Basically, the resume format involves the type of information listed on the resume and the way this information is organized and presented. 

When they’re evaluating your resume, hiring managers expect to see information that will help them assess whether you’re the right person for the job (i.e. your experience, skills, and qualifications, among others). If, for example, you have five years of work experience but your resume format focuses on your education, the hiring manager may have trouble realizing that you’re the right person for the job. 

At the same time, hiring managers want to spend as little time as possible reading your resume. This means that a disorganized, chaotic resume may get them to throw your resume in the “rejected” pile without giving it a second thought. 

That’s why it’s super important to choose the right resume format that highlights your strengths and that recruiters know and like. 

5. What is an ATS-friendly resume format?

Applicant Tracking System software is software that companies use to sort through the countless applications they receive daily. 

What ATS does is scan resumes for specific keywords mentioned in the job description (e.g. necessary skills for the job), and filter out those applications it deems irrelevant. 

As such, an ATS-friendly resume format is the kind of format that lists information in plain text and organizes it in clear sections, making it easier to be read by applicant tracking systems.

This is important because ATS software is typically unable to read text within images or scan infographics.  

6. What resume format is most ATS-friendly?

The most ATS-friendly resume format is the reverse-chronological format. 

That’s because it allows you to use ATS-specific keywords in your skills section and doesn’t use too many visuals such as graphs, infographics, etc.

7. Are hand-written resumes still used?

No, hand-written resumes are barely used in 2024. As such, you should not submit a handwritten resume when you’re applying for jobs. 

Here are some of the most important reasons why: 

• ATS software is unable to scan hand-written resumes. This means that if the company to which you’re applying uses an ATS, your resume will get disqualified.
• Your handwriting might be difficult to understand. Not just that, but you’ll have trouble differentiating one section from the other and keeping everything uniform, which means your resume will be the opposite of reader-friendly.
• We’re technically living online now. Gone are the days when you’d look up job openings in a newspaper or apply by mail. Everything has moved online, so it only makes sense for your resume to do the same.

8. Is the resume format the same as the resume template?

No, a resume format is not the same thing as a resume template. 

Resume format refers to the layout of the resume, namely, the kind of information, its order, and the way it's organized on the resume. Basic document settings, such as line spacing, fonts, and margins, are also part of resume formatting. 

A resume template, on the other hand, is a pre-designed, blank document that you can fill in as you go. Using a resume template to create your resume is a much easier and less time-consuming process than formatting your resume from scratch. 

9. What is the easiest way to build my resume?

The easiest, most efficient way to create a resume is through a resume builder .

If you use a text editor, you could spend hours trying to format your resume, but the moment you make a tiny design change, the whole resume layout gets completely messed up!

Using a resume builder, on the other hand, comes with a ton of benefits:

• Recruiter-friendly layout. All of our resume templates are created with recruiters in mind - they’re extremely easy to read and skim.
• Easy to build. Our resume builder is extremely easy to use. All YOU have to do is fill in the content - we take care of all the resume formatting.
• ATS-friendly . Applicant tracking systems can read our resumes perfectly fine, ensuring that you don’t get automatically disqualified when applying for positions.
• Free (with premium features). Our base builder is completely free without any hidden paywalls! If you’re looking to upgrade the resume design, though, or get access to several awesome features, you can always upgrade to Premium.

10. What are the 7 resume types?

The 7 types of resume formats include the reverse-chronological resume, the combination resume, the resume with profile, the non-traditional resume, the infographic resume, the functional resume, and the targeted resume.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap on resume formats! 

By now, you should know everything there is to know about the most popular resume formats and regarding what the best resume format is for YOU. 

Before you go, let’s do a recap of the most important points covered in this article: 

• There are 3 common resume formats - reverse-chronological, functional, and combination (also known as the hybrid).
• The reverse-chronological format is the most popular one in 2024, and we always recommend you go with that one.
• A functional resume focuses more on skills rather than work experience and is usually used by career changers or students.
• A combination resume is a mix of functional and reverse-chronological formats and puts equal emphasis on work experience and skill set.
• Both functional and combination resumes are not too popular, and applicant tracking systems have trouble reading them.

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