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What’s the Best Resume Format in 2022?

Mass remote work. All-digital hiring processes. Advances in upskilling and reskilling. So much about the workforce ecosystem has been in flux for the past year-plus, is it any surprise that resume best practices are evolving as well?

To help you understand what's new, what isn't—and stand out from the competition—we've broken down the three highest-impact resume formats for 2022:

• Reverse-Chronological Resumes
• Functional Resumes
• Combined Resumes

Actionable guidance. Downloadable templates. Tips to help you optimize for the latest hiring tech. This is the definitive resume playbook for 2022.

1. Reverse-Chronological Resumes

The most widely used resume format among job seekers today, reverse-chronological resumes are also probably the easiest for recruiters and hiring managers to understand at a glance—which is itself an advantage. What's more, starting with your most recent experience, then working backward in time, helps frame your career within a narrative of growth and progression.

In other words, don't be put off by the fact that this resume format is so common, because it can be used to present your candidacy as anything but.

Structurally, these resumes consist of three parts, enumerated in the following image. You should also download our reverse-chronological resume template if you're looking for more detailed, hands-on guidance.

1. Start with your name and contact information (which should be pretty straightforward), type in the role you're applying for (make it an H1) and move on to the candidate statement. This is where you should try to connect your experience, interests and areas of expertise to the role in question. Keep it succinct (two or three sentences).

2. Next, summarize—two or three sentences max—your day-to-day responsibilities in the role, keeping the details at a fairly high level and saving specific accomplishments for the bullet points below. Try to make the tone and voice consistent with what you wrote earlier in your candidate statement.

3. Finally, wrap up. This section is where you should provide a quick summary of relevant details around education, certification or training you have received.

2. Functional Resumes

Less common than reverse-chronological resumes, functional resumes offer something else entirely: a more narrowly focused and curated window into your professional experience. By dialing down the gestalt and dialing up the details, this resume format not only highlights skills and proficiencies but connects them to outcomes and applications.

In a nutshell, a functional resume announces, "This is what I do best, and this is exactly where and how l'll contribute value."

So that's the upside.

The downside is that there are other things functional resumes don't do especially well. For example, when did you take on additional responsibilities at work? At what point were you rewarded with a promotion? Details like these get lost on a purely functional resume, since there's no overarching, high-level view of your career.

In other words, while this is definitely the best resume format for some candidates, it's important to recognize that it come with strengths as well as weaknesses. To make that more concrete, let's zoom in and look at this resume format in more detail.

1. Again, jotting down your name and contact information is the first piece of the puzzle. Next, write the name of the job you're applying for, followed by a short candidate statement, which answers the vital "why" questions: Namely, why should you be called up for an interview? Why are you the right candidate for this job?

2. This is where you can break down your most directly relevant work experience for the job at hand. Emphasize dollars-and-cents value, or quantitative benefits you've delivered in the past, as much as possible. You want your skills to stand out.

3. Close with relevant information about certifications, education or training you have received.

3. Combined Resumes

Some candidates will decide on a third course, the combined resume, a hybrid of the two resume formats we've covered so far. It's a way of laying out your overall career trajectory while also foregrounding your most relevant skills and areas of expertise. The former gives recruiters and hiring managers a sense of where you're coming from (and where you might be a good culture fit for the organization); the latter highlights how you'll contribute value.

Given the rise of agile workforce—and an increased reliance on contractors for project-based work in general—it stands to reason that this resume format going to become more popular in the future. So if you think this is the right format for you, good! Just be sure to adequately document your previous work experience. For example, including names of companies, dates worked, titles held and other details matters a lot. Otherwise, those omissions could look suspect in the eyes of a prospective employer.

1. Note that this one looks a lot like a functional resume, but with one notable addition (see number three). As before, start with your name, the job you're applying for and your candidate statement.

2. Call out projects, skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for, doing your best to quantify deliverables—for example, the budget, timeline for completion or number of stakeholders involved—wherever possible.

3. Document your work history, adhering to the organizational principles of a reverse-chronological resume—that is, starting with your most recent work experience and working backward in time from there. Be sure to include dates. Keep this as succinct as possible.

4. Finally, be sure to include information around certifications, education or training that you have received.

Join Our Team Today!

Ready to put your new resume skills to the ultimate test? Check out all of the ways you can join our team at Johnson & Johnson —and while you're at it, be sure to sign up for our Global Talent Hub , as well. The latter is a great way to stay in touch, learn more about our culture and even get updates about jobs that might interest you in the future.

What’s the Best Resume Format for 2022? [+ Examples]

• February 15, 2021
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

It’s 2020 and time for a new job. You probably know you need to update your resume with your most recent experience and achievements. Did you also know you have to update your resume format? Things have moved on and you need to keep up with hiring managers’ expectations. In this article, we’ll help you understand how recruiters and hiring managers think. Also, we’ll take you through the choices you should make.

Table of content:

1. The resume format employers want to see 2. How to choose the right resume format 3. The chronological resume format 4. The functional resume format 5. The combination resume format 6. Things to keep in mind when choosing a resume format

But first, take our 2022 professional resume format quiz and see how many you score. For each question, mark yourself as a ‘Yes’, a ‘No’, or a ‘Maybe’.

Did you know?

• Only 1% of candidates get offered the job they apply for.
• The ‘look’ of a resume is at least as important as the content.
• Many employers simply won’t read an unsuitable resume format.
• 99% of applicants confuse resume format with resume style.
• 9% of people confuse resume format with resume formatting.
• 99% of people choose a resume format once and stick with it forever.

If you didn’t score 6 solid ‘yeses’, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Five minutes of thought, and making the right resume format choice, can lift you into the very top tier of applicants.

1.   The resume format employers want to see

Recruiters and employers have one simple question in mind – “Does this applicant match our requirements?” Unfortunately, the time they’re willing to spend finding that out has become vanishingly small.

2.   How to choose the right resume format

Recruiters and hiring managers simply want to see if you match what they need. As a result, they want information about you and they want it fast. Content is king. That’s because if you haven’t got what it takes they won’t consider you. Clearly, it’s all about showing that content effectively.

To do that, choose one of the three main professional resume formats. These are the:

• Chronological resume format;
• Functional resume format;
• Combination resume format.

3.   The chronological resume format

Present your work experience in time order, but in reverse, to best use the chronological resume format. That’s because your most recent experience is the most important for employers to consider.

Use this format unless there is a reason to use one of the other two. That’s because readers know how to both scan and read this format quickly. Also, ATS (applicant tracking system) software deals well with this format.

Sections should typically show the following in this order:

• Contact details;
• A short profile summary;
• Current position;
• Previous experience;
• Qualifications;
• Other relevant interests or voluntary work.

If you add a sidebar, use it to summarize your skills or competencies.

It’s fine to use 2 pages but use page 1 to show your profile summary and current experience. Everything else should be on page 2 although do put your contact details on both pages.

• Career professionals with a continuous work history.
• People who have worked in the same field for many years.
• Individuals who show good career progression.
• Being sure applicant tracking systems (ATSs) will scan accurately.

Consider using it when:

• You’re not sure which resume format to use.
• You want to apply for a job in the same or a similar field.
• You can present a clear story of promotion from role to role.
• A format well understood by recruiters and hiring managers.
• It provides a full picture of your whole work history and background.
• An easy-to-read narrative of your career history.
• When you have significant or strange gaps in your work history.
• You’ve changed jobs frequently.
• Your work history does not show vertical progress.
• You’ve been unemployed for several months.
• You’d like to change your industry or sector.

4.   The functional resume format

Unlike the chronological resume format, this format enables you to give priority to your capabilities for the job. Your experience gets pushed back, ideally right on to the second page. Some experiences may be completely excluded from your resume if they’re not relevant.

As a result, this format is sometimes called a skills-based resume format. It helps you present your main achievements and thereby demonstrate your strengths.

Be aware that some recruiters are suspicious when faced with a skills-based resume. That’s because they fear a candidate may be trying to hide something.

Sections should typically show the following:

• An extensive profile summary;
• A skills or competencies section (often within the profile);
• Selective work experience summary;
• An additional summary of work experience (often deliberately incomplete);
• People with limited work experience in the field.
• Individuals with several work history gaps.
• Those who are changing industry, sector or type of role.
• Applicants fresh out of college with a short work history.
• You are fresh out of college.
• You’ve had a career break due to pregnancy, illness, unemployment or a sabbatical.
• You have a broken history from frequently changing jobs.
• You particularly want to highlight your relevant and transferable skills as a career changer.
• Your significant achievements are spread across several roles.
• You’re an unconventional fit or not an ideal fit for the company.
• Competencies and transferable skills are emphasized.
• Attention is diverted away from your work history.
• Your most important accomplishments can be showcased
• Causing confusion after recruiters have been reading many chronological resumes.
• Recruiters becoming suspicious that candidates may be hiding or masking their background.

5.   The combination resume format

Obviously, this is a mixture of both the chronological resume format and the functional format. Skills and work experience share the spotlight in this format.

It gives recruiters and hiring managers confidence. That’s because it ensures a timeline remains both visible and complete, after your profile summary.

Aim to show more skills and achievement content in your profile summary. A chronological resume format would show more in the employment section.

The advantage of this format is you have more space in the profile section to tell your story in a rounded and more compelling way. Additionally, you have more scope to show any added value you offer, over and above other likely candidates.

Sections should typically show the following, usually in this order:

• A medium-length profile summary, incorporating main relevant skills;
• Current job information;
• Previous work experience summary;
• Senior or executive management positions where it’s necessary to pick experiences from several roles held.
• People with a diverse employment history.
• Students and recent graduates.
• Professionals with strong achievements making a career change.
• You want to highlight both competencies and a strong history.
• You need more space to show or explain a story in your profile summary.
• You’re looking to change careers.
• You have a strong history but are re-entering work after a break.
• Any added value can be clearly presented.
• Both skills and work experience share the spotlight.
• A full work history is still visible to recruiters and hiring managers.
• Entry-level candidates and fresh graduates.
• Early-years career professionals.
• People who do not possess all the skills required for the job.

6. Things to keep in mind when choosing a resume format

Firstly, choose the format that’s correct for you. Secondly, add your content to build a compelling document. Thirdly, once it’s complete, follow the submission instructions specified.

• Think about the extent of your experience. This will help you to choose the resume format that is right for you.
• Think about your audience. Your resume may go through an applicant tracking system (ATS) initially. That means the chronological format is most easily read without errors. To make sure you include the right content, look at this best-practice advice .
• Don’t use gimmicks. Use a design that looks professional, not garish. Pick your fonts, colors, and any graphic elements to look classy. A template produced by a professional designer is a great starting point. Choose from classic, modern, or elegant styling. We have a large selection of templates for you.
• Do you include a headshot? This is a matter of personal choice. Sometimes a headshot is specifically asked for, in which case definitely add one. Our templates include variations to let you make the choice that is right for you. If you want more information on how to choose the right template, check out this article .

If you have a choice, submit your resume in PDF format. That’s because it will look the same on any machine or operating system. Also, it’s harder for a recruiter, HR person, or hiring manager to modify your resume before forwarding it.

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The Best Resume Formats You Need to Consider (5+ Examples Included)

In This Guide:

The basics of resume formatting, what are the most used resume formats, why these resume formats are the most popular, 5 unique resume format examples from enhancv proven to get you hired, what’s the best resume length – how long should it be, passing the ats resume scanner test, extra tips & tricks (including resources).

Which resume format is the best to use?

Of all resumes, the quick and easy answer is the combination resume.

It’s versatile and pretty much works for all types of jobs you’ll apply for even if it’s in a drastically different field.

But that’s only just one side of the answer…

In fact, here’s the better answer which probably isn’t as satisfying:

It depends.

With the different resume formats available today, there are multiple aspects to take into consideration before setting out to build your resume.

For example, where are you currently at with your career? Do you have the relevant skills, qualifications and work experience? Are you applying for a new job in a completely new industry that differs from your background?

Was that an overkill?

Don’t worry, you can skip ahead by building your resume with Enhancv’s formats that are flexible and easily rearrangeable!

“ Enhancv is the ONLY tool I’ll use for CVs – mine, family’s clients. It’s the best! ” – Shelly Davies

When it comes to resume formats, there are several areas to cover. In this section, we’ll go through all the basics you need to know on how to format your resume.

Resume Font

Resume font plays a part in both the technical and visual aspects of your resume. It needs to do the following:

• Be scannable for the ATS
• Look professional
• Appropriate size

Either pick a serif or sans serif font. The standard font types to stick to are Arial, Calibri or Verdana.

The best font size is between 10.5 and 12. It should be nowhere lower or higher, otherwise, it causes problems for when the ATS scans your resume and when recruiters try reading it since it’s either too big or too small.

As for font colour, candidates usually stick to black since it’s most professional and the standard norm.

However, colours are good indicators to use on your resume as long as it’s done properly.

If you make the wrong colour choices that are unusual, it’ll come off as an eyesore for recruiters. When we get to the examples from Enhancv later, you’ll see how our applicants took advantage of this and secured the job.

We have a full guide for the top resume fonts you should use. If you haven’t already, you can check it out by clicking here!

Traditional resumes you see don’t optimize their resumes for image-use. Usually, it’s just a plain resume with nothing but text of different sizes/headings for the candidate’s resume sections.

But did you know images are acceptable too?

Not only does it help you stand out, but it has an impact on the hiring manager’s impression when they’re reading through your resume within the first few seconds.

There’s a higher chance you would hire someone you know or are familiar with rather than a complete stranger. And this is where having a professional profile picture of yourself helps because it makes you identifiable.

Here’s how Isabelle did it on her resume header:

As a result, recruiters can immediately see who you are and what you look like. This helps with setting you apart from the start since you’re now someone familiar.

Besides the link to her LinkedIn profile and location, you can see small icons. These visual elements also play a part in how well your resume comes out in terms of presentation.

It leads nicely to the next point…

Resume icons

Going back to what we’ve just talked about, visual representations overall are a big recommendation from Enhancv. This way, you can rest assured your resume is different to 90% of the other candidates applying for your desired job position. It’s also going to improve the overall experience of reading your resume.

Because it’s easier to read.

Minimalist resume designs, in general, improve the readability of your resume since you’re drawing the reader’s eye to specific key points. It’s effective for highlighting important pieces of information on your resume so it’s easily noticeable.

Enhancv has made it so that these won’t cause any technical difficulties with recruitment software. Best of all with Enhancv, you don’t have to make or find resume icons yourself since we have them prepared for you to use. If you haven’t tried a resume builder like Enhancv , try starting here:

TRY ENHANCV TEMPLATES

Data/Charts

When it comes to visual pie charts, bar charts or any statistics, it shows a lot more about you than it would if you were to make a blank statement.

For example, rather than fully describing how productive you are or how you spend your time, you could use Enhancv’s feature of the ‘day in the life’ chart to show this:

This enables you to show more about yourself without compromising white space on your resume. It’s one way to enhance the hobbies and interests resume section and if you’re trying to keep it well put together on one page.

File types and names

When it comes to sending your resume electronically, the best type of file to save it as is the PDF. It’s the safest compared to all the other file types and it’s versatile wherever you’re sending it from.

As for the file name, include your first and second name followed by resume. E.g. KaloyanDimitrovResume.PDF

Nothing more, nothing less.

(Side note: unless the application rules require a certain type of resume format e.g. the plain text resume format, then it should be sent as a file text format (.txt). In the case of plain text resumes, colours, underlined or bold text, and colours won’t be applicable.)

The margins within the document where you’re editing your resume should be at least one inch for all sides.

An acceptable line spacing to keep in mind is between 1.0 and 1.15.

When it’s formatted like this, it’ll run through the ATS smoothly and it will help you take advantage of the space you have on your resume so you have more to put on. But do remember that having white spaces on your resume can be a good thing when done strategically, e.g. for the one-page resume format.

Resume sections

You might be wondering which resume sections are essential. For starters, here are the resume sections you would see on a traditional resume format:

• Contact information
• Career summary or objectives
• Work experience

In my previous guide about resume sections, I listed out the main and optional resume sections for your resume. Here’s a quick reminder of the essentials:

• Resume header
• Skills and Expertise

And as for the optional resume sections:

• Volunteering experiences
• Awards and certifications
• Hobbies and interests
• Publications
• Client Testimonials
• Professional associations
• Resume references

It’s vital your resume contains the main sections listed above. But don’t ignore the optional sections – just because they’re optional doesn’t mean they’re useless.

Sometimes, the recruiter may ask for specific sections since they need something new. E.g. they’ll ask for a hobbies and interests section as they’re looking for more innovative ideas and creativity in their work culture.

The one thing that doesn’t change in your resume is the resume header. This is universal, and it’s always placed at the top of your resume. It’s the first thing people should see when they’re reading your application.

Just before I get to explaining how you can make your resume format appropriate and professional, let’s first look at the most popular formats:

• Chronological resume
• Reverse chronological resume
• Functional skills-based resume
• Combination resume

As part of Enhancv , we advise applicants to stay away from the traditional resume format because it’s outdated in a digital economy like today.

Nowadays, the industry relies more on skills and experience over qualifications (although they’re still important and shouldn’t be disregarded).

Since many applicants usually have university degrees to support their applications, recruiters need to differentiate within those groups of candidates to see who would be the best fit.

Because of how similar candidates can be, even if you meet all the job requirements, you’re not going to be guaranteed a spot.

This is where you need to stand out.

And if your resume is formatted exactly the same and looks the same as everyone else, then the first impression won’t be memorable.

Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is the most standard resume format there is.

When you’re listing out your work experience and achievements, you do it in the order of how relevant they are in the job position you’re applying for.

Who exactly is the chronological resume for?

It’s mostly for candidates who:

• There are little to no gaps in your career timeline
• You plan on working in the same industry with similar roles
• You have over 4 years of work experience

Because this resume format’s priority is to highlight your years of experience and achievements, it’s easier for employers to identify whether you’re an expert in the field. It’s great for catching their attention since it shows you have a lot of work history to reinforce any skills or statements you’ve mentioned.

Overall, it’s more convenient for people to use if they have tonnes of work experience.

However, for those of you who don’t have as much work experience to showcase it can be difficult to use this resume format. For this reason, it’s what makes the reverse chronological resume format more ideal.

Reverse Chronological Resume

As it sounds, it’s the opposite of a chronological resume.

Instead of describing your career timeline in the format where you list your most relevant experiences or achievements, you list them out from your most recent positions instead. From there, you work your way backwards.

If you have less than 4-5 years of work experience, the reverse chronological resume makes up for it by shaping the recruiter’s focus towards your strengths instead. With the way they’re formatted, they’re designed to draw attention away from your employment history gaps while still providing a clear narrative of your career.

From this example, you can see how the order is listed oppositely from the chronological resume format.

This shows employers that you’re experienced in the workforce. You’re no complete amateur – you’re someone who’s familiar with the role and understands what needs to be done.

Unlike the chronological resume, this resume format is most ideal if:

• You have gaps in your career timeline
• You plan on working in a new industry or role that’s different to what your background says
• You have limited work experience to show for

Functional Skills-Based Resume

Until now, the chronological and reverse chronological resume formats are focused on emphasizing your work experience.

One caveat – what if you’re literally limited on work experience? As in, you don’t really have any?

No problem, this is where the functional skills-based resume comes in.

Instead of job titles and work history being the priority, this resume format is based around your skills and expertise.

It’s most ideal for applicants who are:

• Recent college or university graduates
• Lacking in professional work experience
• Considering an entirely new field in the workforce of your career journey
• You have transferable skills or experience that are relevant to the job vacancy
• You have gaps in your career timeline or have been unemployed for a long time

With the functional skills-based resume format, it allows recruiters to recognize what you’re capable of. By using this, you’re giving insight into the knowledge, practical skills and value you can bring over to their company.

Not sure how to build a resume with the functional skills-based format? You can check out the full guide here.

Combination Resume

Combination resumes or hybrid resumes, are a jack of all trades. As the name suggests, it combines different elements from the other resume formats above to highlight both your skills and work experience.

It’s a great balance if you have work experience to show for but still have gaps in your career.

The big advantage of the combination resume is that it gives you more options and flexibility.

You’re not limited to just one area of your resume. Instead, you can incorporate and merge different parts of the chronological and functional skills-based resume format to showcase the results you can potentially deliver for them.

Also, because it’s a hybrid, the disadvantages you normally see from a functional resume and chronological resume are more minimal. So, less noticeable.

If you have some work experience in your career to talk about (at least 1-3 years), use this resume format instead of the functional skills-based resume. It makes gaps less noticeable and signifies to recruiters you have a stable employment timeline.

Each of those resume formats have their own goals. What’s more important to know is that they’re effective enough to get the job done (no pun intended).

I’ve mentioned this a few times but I’ll make it extra clear:

Recruiters are most likely going to use an AI or recruitment software to check your resume.

It’s more time-efficient for the application process and quickly takes out the unqualified candidates.

Of all the resume formats, the chronological resume is the most used resume format. It’s mainly because recruiters are most familiar with it and they can instantly see whether you’re experienced or not.

On the other hand, you can combat this by showcasing your personality, as well as making the details and readability level of your resume relatively better and easy to digest.

However, to do this you need to take a straightforward yet creative approach .

In this frame of mind, you’re more inclined to present your resume in a simple, minimal way. You’ll also prevent yourself from building a resume that’s too complicated to understand.

You might have noticed by now that Enhancv employs a unique resume format that combines features from each of the above mentioned.

Let’s call it the Enhancv resume format, shall we?

Poetically speaking, we created these formats as an attempt to combat the gray sea of black-on-white, bland resume templates you can download from any nook and cranny of the web.

Up until now, we’ve helped more than 1 mln people update their resumes with a fresh and modern look.

In the next lines, we’re going to analyze in detail 5 successful resume formats from Enhancv pro users and see what makes them tick.

Marketing Intern Resume:

In Joanne’s marketing intern resume, notice the use of colour and the focus points on her resume.

On the left-hand side, she incorporates her background in the workforce to show employers that she’s experienced in the field. Her experiences are listed in reverse chronological order throughout her work experience section, and she reinforces her experiences by including a volunteering section too.

Whereas, on the right-hand we can notice the functional skills-based resume format elements being used because the focus is more towards Joanne’s skills and personality. Because this is highlighted, it allows recruiters to understand her more as a person and what she’s capable of.

As readers, we know her statements aren’t empty words. This is because she’s combined both her skills and experiences together on this one-page resume to convey herself as a valuable asset.

Business Development Resume

With John’s industry, we know it’s more lenient towards the innovative and professional side of things. So for that reason, John sticks to the standard resume format by using reverse chronological order and keeping to the traditional resume sections.

But he did it with a twist…

And in an industry that’s looking for continuous innovation, it’s why this business resume format worked so well.

With Enhancv , we incorporate small designs on the background to make your resume more visually appealing. On top of that, the colour usage here is smart since it makes it easier for recruiters to skim through your resume and identify the key details they’re specifically trying to find.

Recruiter Resume

This time, Olivia makes use of the combination resume format by incorporating elements of her values, skills and professional background.

Rather than explaining in a large boulder of text how she spends her time, she does this with minimal space by using a “my time” pie chart. Not only does this allow her to include more things on her resume, but she’s making the hiring manager’s job straightforward since it’s easier to understand.

Visual representations enhance your resume format – so try including icons, graphs, charts or colour professionally. The goal of this is to make certain sections stand out and to have a higher readability level.

Intern resume format for freshers

Are you a fresh university graduate who doesn’t have much experience in employment?

Take a look at how Rajesh conveyed his skills and expertise on his resume as a fresh graduate. Despite not having the desired experiences in the workforce, it doesn’t stop him from getting hired.

We can see he’s a credible software engineer through the resume sections he’s used. As well as his publications, his achievements catch our eye and make us think of how he could be valuable in the long-run.

Baker Resume

In our final example, Stewart uses the combination resume format for his baker job application. Although there are hybrid elements between his experiences and skills, his skills are one of the first things we would notice.

It’s safe to say that he’s also taken into consideration the functional skills-based resume format approach.

Didn’t find your job title listed above? Fear not, You can find your profession in our megalist of 530+ resume examples by clicking here!

How long should your resume be?

Are one-page resumes too short and ineffective? Should I make my resume two pages long instead?

The reality is, there’s no fixed answer.

There’s no one-way answer because you can use as many pages as you need to. At the same time, some lengths have more benefits than the other in certain areas. For example, with a two-page resume, you can add more information whereas with a one-page resume you can’t include as much.

But we recommend you to try to keep your resume well put together in one page only.

Granted, you won’t have as much room for filling up your resume with a handful of information. But if you’re able to show everything you need to through a one-page resume, it’s going to have a stronger impact.

As long as you have strong clarity by being concise, your resume is going to create a stronger impression for employers. Like the examples shown earlier, having fewer words doesn’t mean there’s less meaning or value in your resume.

Remember this:

The impact isn’t fully derived by the way you explain things, but how you can show them.

Simply put, show not tell.

If you follow the steps discussed on this guide, your resume won’t have a problem with beating the ATS test. The only exception is if the company has asked you to edit or change something.

The main things to watch out for are the following:

• Use keywords and buzzwords that match the job description
• Including the required resume sections
• Using the right font size
• Appropriate margins
• Sensible file names

Recruitment A. I and software are used to qualify you during the job hunting process. Therefore, it’s important your resume format is optimized to be ATS-friendly. It isn’t going to change anytime soon, and software like this is becoming more popular in the workforce.

(Quick reminder: the ATS works to immediately find qualified candidates and remove unqualified candidates. Using this type of technology makes it easier for recruiters to get what they need without wasting time!)

• Use Colours

Before considering this tip, do make sure that it’s compatible with your job application. If it’s strict, then stick to your black, whites and grey to prevent any problems.

Using the right complementary colours enhances the visual appeal of your resume. In turn, it’s going to be easier to stand out and understand. Not only that, but it enables you to better highlight key information so recruiters can find them in a matter of seconds.

In its entirety, minimalism applies in pretty much every aspect of your resume. From the visual aspects to how you describe your skills or experiences…

It’s good to have creativity as a skill up your sleeve.

Apart from one condition…

It shouldn’t be too excessive. Especially if it makes your resume seem like a whole new entity.

When you’re building your resume, aim to make it well put together, sleek and tidy. What this does is demonstrate a flair of creativity while taking a sensible and professional approach.

• Visual Representations

Resume icons, data and charts, in general, are well effective for your resume. Taking a note from the second tip, this is one technique you can use to make your resume minimal.

When you’re including things like this to describe yourself, your resume will stand out. Unlike the other applicants, it’s not the same as all the standard and conventional resumes that are floating about in the ocean.

• Consider Leaving White Space On Your Resume Strategically

Throughout this guide, I’ve told you that it’s not a bad thing to have white spaces in your resume.

This works well as long as it’s done strategically.

Because it leaves a more profound impact for the reader compared to reading a resume that’s bulked with text. Rather than trying to force and use every space you can, try leaving white space deliberately to create a stronger first impression.

It’s a more relaxed structure since it’s simplified, which makes the user experience better. Consider this the next time you’re editing the format of your resume.

• Use Enhancv’s Online Resume Templates

Enhancv has optimised resume formats that make the whole resume building process enjoyable since it’s so easy to create your own resume.

On top of that, you can rearrange different building blocks to the way you prefer, and most of the technical details are already taken care of.

The only thing you really need to do is alter the contents of the resume appropriately, personalizing and tailoring it to your job position/company you’re applying for.

Here’s a rundown of everything we’ve been through and the resume format principles to stick to:

• Use professional font between the size 10.5 and 12
• Use the right margin spacing
• Don’t forget your main resume sections
• Match the job board by using keywords
• Include visual elements
• Pick one of the resume modes: chronological, reverse chronological, functional skills-based, or the combination resume format

With that, hopefully, we’ve answered all your questions about resume formats in this ultimate guide.

Is there anything else you want to add or ask? Feel free to let me know in the comments below and I’ll respond!

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

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

NO Hidden Fees

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

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

ATS Friendly

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

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

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

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

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

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

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

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

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

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

Resume Resources

What is a resume.

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

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

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

How to Write a Resume for Your First Job?

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

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

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

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

What to Put on a Resume?

The most common sections on a resume are:

Contact information

Resume summary or objective

Work experience

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

Volunteering experience

Hobbies & interests

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

How to Format a Resume?

There are 3 typical resume formats:

Reverse-Chronological Resume

Functional Resume

Combination Resume

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

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

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

How Long Should a Resume Be?

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

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

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

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

How to Write a Resume Summary?

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

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

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

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

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

How to List Work Experience on a Resume

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

Each work experience entry should contain the following:

Position title

Company name/description/location

Achievements or responsibilities

Dates employed

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

“Carried out sales operations”

You list an achievement:

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

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

How to List Skills on a Resume?

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

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

How to Make a Cover Letter For a Resume?

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

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

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

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

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

What is the Best Resume Template?

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

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

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

Get Inspired with Our Resume Examples

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

Follow these simple steps:

Choose one of our top resume templates above

Follow the tips & tricks built-in our resume builder

Fill in your work history and other experiences

Hit download and start applying to jobs!

What If I Am a Student?

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

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

Are These Resume Templates Free?

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

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

Who Created These Resume Samples?

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

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

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

Are These Resume Templates ATS-Friendly?

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

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

Do You Offer One-Page Resume Templates?

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

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28 Word Resume Templates (Free) Designed for 2024

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Pick the resume template best for you.

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If you just turned in your resignation letter and are ready to  give yourself the best chance of landing the next job you’re after , you need an attractive, organized resume template . Our 28 resume templates for Word are hot out of the oven for 2024. All you have to do is download them for free and start editing them in Microsoft Word.

Trouble customizing your Word resume template ? Working with ready-made templates can be challenging, so if you’re in a time crunch or over the frustration, make a resume with us for a quick and easy time!

Word Resume Template Choices for You

Academic Word Resume Template

Why this resume template works

• Share internship or work experience as well as project experience. Projects can be academic or personal. If you’re feeling stuck on what to include here, try thinking about your hobbies and interests .
• Show off academic achievements and awards in a dedicated section in the left sidebar. Need more room than that? Try using the projects section instead!

College Word Resume Template

Why this resume works

• Companies won’t be able to resist taking a closer look at your application when you apply for their internship opportunities, as you’ll be showcasing that you’re a very well-rounded student with high aspirations!

ATS-Friendly Word Resume Template

• Need more room for work experience? Just delete some of the project experience to make a little space.

Minimalist Word Resume Template

• Clean, thin lines create division for all the necessary parts while maximizing space for you to highlight your best career achievements.

Technical Word Resume Template

• This resume is incredibly easy to follow down the page with its unique but professional design. Don’t be surprised when you start getting calls for interviews!

Acting Word Resume Template

• This template features a section where you can place your acting experience front and center, leaving the sidebar to draw the eye to your talents and attributes.

Student Word Resume Template

• Let both your personality and your background shine in this student Word resume template.

Modern Word Resume Template

• Space for all your work achievements? Check.
• Space for skills and certs? Check check.
• Space for a summary statement that attests to your successful career history? Check check check!

Functional Word Resume Template

• If that’s the boat you’re in, you’ll like what this functional Word resume template can offer you.

Simple Word Resume Template

• Dark lines keep each section separated and marked clearly for an eye-catching and simple design.
• Expound on any important details with a cover letter generator that won’t miss any details from your resume or the job description.

Professional Word Resume Template

• Detailed icons draw the eye in, so recruiters can focus on your professional history and accomplishments.

Basic Word Resume Template

• Clear headers designate each section and leave you room for extras, too, like a career objective and certifications or licenses.

Best Word Resume Template

• This aesthetically pleasing template works well when you want to format your resume in reverse-chronological order.

Harvard Word Resume Template

• There’s space to share your coursework, study abroad experience, leadership and collegiate activities, and even traditional work experience on your Harvard Word resume template.

Easy Word Resume Template

• Recruiters won’t be quick to forget your name with this soft blue contact header that keeps your info neat and tidy.
• Resume templates like this one are good choices for job seekers looking to climb the ladder because it lays your work history out in reverse-chronological order.

High School Word Resume Template

• Think about school projects or extracurricular activities that keep you busy, and use that to populate your projects section. Try to answer how you contributed and left a positive impact.
• And hey, if you do have some traditional work experience, just add that to the projects section instead!

Music Word Resume Template

• Use your experience section to highlight where you shine, whether that be in the orchestra or in the classroom instructing.
• The green sidebar gives us nice pop of color to draw attention to your music honors and awards, where you can put the spotlight on competitions, the location, and the year.

Nursing Word Resume Template

• Small and unique design elements pull the eye in strategically to your objective , skills, and licenses, telling recruiters right away that you’re qualified for the role.
• Licenses and certifications are essential, which is why there are two sections dedicated to this at the bottom of your resume. List your nursing license in the left sidebar and list any other certifications and licenses you hold beneath your experience.

Teacher of the Year Word Resume Template

• Your teacher resume can demonstrate your professional ability to teach any age group from kindergarten to high school.
• Bold blue tones emphasize wisdom, confidence, intelligence, and imagination. This type of  resume formatting  contrasts nicely with strong black empty space. It makes for an eye-catching and appealing resume.

The Arts Word Resume Template

• Usually, we advise against including a photo in your  resume template , but we can make the case for one here. It shows personality and individuality, which are, of course, important traits for an artistic, creative job. 
• Job titles that will be especially suited to your arts resume include visual artist, musician, photographer, designer, and producer.

Pretty-in-Pink Word Resume Template

• This bold, creative resume template is best suited for those working in roles where a more colorful style would be acceptable or encouraged.
• This will include many jobs in the arts and creative industries, but it’s always best to judge based on the formality of the specific company to which you apply.

Royal Blue Word Resume Template

• The dark blue is particularly good at conveying a sense of knowledge, seriousness, and security, which are appealing qualities for hiring managers seeking an advanced professional like yourself. The light blue adds contrast and is associated with compassion, an essential characteristic of good management. 
• We think you could build a killer resume with this royal blue Word resume template for roles as an account manager , team lead, regional manager, operations manager , and executive assistant .

The Trades Word Resume Template

• Remember, this doesn’t mean your resume has to look boring. Keep it interesting with contrasting colors, fonts, and letter sizes. Choosing the perfect resume template is half the battle!
• Your trades resume is ideal if you’re working trades, such as plumbing, welding, carpentry, electrical work, or machinery. Your job keeps life orderly and functional, so it’s important to reflect that in your resume design.

Doctor’s Orders Word Resume Template

• Unique sections allow you to input and highlight residency, licenses, and conferences easily. Use tasteful colors in your resume to demonstrate your personality.
• Your qualifications and skills can speak for themselves, but only great doctors are both brilliant and personable with patients. Show that you  are  that doctor!

Executive Word Resume Template

• If you’re looking to advance in the corporate world, this resume template allows room to highlight your expertise and success in a  professional resume summary .  
• Having trouble figuring out where to start? Take a peek at our  resume examples  for insight into creating a resume that lands you interviews. 

Green Technicalities Word Resume Template

• It should be easy to differentiate your hard and soft skills  and certifications on your resume, which are incredibly important for technical jobs requiring niche skills. 
• While a lot of information can fit on your resume, clean lines and contrasting colors keep it from becoming overwhelming. 

Lawyer Up Word Resume Template

• The boxing around the resume title and contrasting fonts provide sophisticated interest.
• Note the use of professional and straightforward fonts but strong visual interest from the choice of bolding.

Modern Limelight Word Resume Template

• Your Modern resume works best if you’re applying to work at a startup. Exciting, bold ideas thrive in these environments, and your lime-colored resume fits the bill. 
• Students, don’t be afraid to use the work experience section for projects or even to showcase relevant hobbies and interests that help pitch why you should be hired. 

Remember,  if you’re having trouble customizing your resume template , make sure you check out our  job-specific resume samples . We also get that working with templates in Word can be tricky, so you can try one of our Google Docs resume templates or build a resume with us instead. How about this one here?

Experienced Medical Assistant Resume

or download as PDF

Related articles

• Google Docs Resume Templates
• Letter of Interest
• How to Make a Resume
• Resume Tips
• Reasons for Leaving a Job

How to Make a Resume in Word ?

The best thing about building a resume in Word is that Microsoft Word comes with many resume templates you can find within the program. If none of these preloaded formats do the trick, you can search for alternate templates on the internet (probably how you found these here).

Between the templates included in Word, the options available online, our free resume templates for Google Docs , or the templates you can use in our easy resume builder , you should have no trouble finding a design that works for you.

Find free Word resume templates

Accessing resume templates on Microsoft Word is a quick, easy way to structure your document. All you have to do is take the following steps:

• Click “File,” then “New.”
• Type “Resume” into the search box at the top of the window.
• Browse the templates and double-click the one you want.
• Delete the sample text and add your personal information.

Upload your outside templates into Word

While Microsoft Word offers some excellent resume templates within the program, you can find even more options on the internet, including our  professional resume examples .

Here’s how to find online templates and upload them into Word:

• Search Google for “resume templates,” or take advantage of our  free resume templates .
• Download the resume that fits your needs.
• Open a new Word document.
• Click on “Insert” at the top of the page.
• Select “Object” from the drop-down menu.
• Find the file for the resume template in the box that appears. It’s most likely under “Downloads.”
• Click on the file for the resume template.
• Click “Insert” at the bottom-right corner of the box.

*Note: This process will upload your template, but it may be distorted, requiring you to spend some time manipulating boxes, lines, and font, which is why we recommend uploading your resumes with our  free resume tool .

When it comes to creating a fantastic resume on Word, downloading the right template is only half the battle. From there, you need to do what it takes to fill the template with the right information.

There are two keys to making the most of your Word resume template: taking advantage of Word’s available features and practicing patience as you tweak and perfect the document.

Use Word’s available features

There’s a reason Word is so popular. It comes fully loaded with useful features, many of which will be a major help as you work on your next resume. Here are six features you should consider taking advantage of if you want your document to look its best:

• Word’s editor tool will check your resume for spelling and grammar. Don’t let recruiters doubt your professionalism.
• The Track Changes feature puts a red line through deleted text rather than eliminating it. Play around with the wording on your resume to weigh your options until you get it just right.
• Word’s Resume Assistant feature is specially designed for creating a new resume. Use this feature to see how others in your field have described their work experience, giving you the inspiration to overcome pesky writer’s block.
• Word’s line spacing feature lets you tighten up text, so there’s less blank space between lines. Say more on a single page.
• The margins adjustor on Word lets you cover more of the page with text. When you’re struggling to squeeze in important information, this extra space can prove vital.
• Word lets you convert your final resume to a PDF. This makes it easy to save your resume as a file you can send digitally.

Set aside ample time to build your Word resume

A resume on Word isn’t something you can polish off in five minutes even if you’ve uploaded a template. You need the document to come out looking fantastic, and that requires meticulous attention to detail.

While you work on your Word resume, consider the following:

• How to customize your filler text
• How to set the font size and color
• Which line spacing to use
• How to make an inflexible layout work for the information you need to include
• How to  format your resume  for ATS scanners

If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, just use our simple resume builder . By typing in your details and letting our tool take care of the rest, you’ll take the guesswork and stress out of the resume creation process.

There are countless resume templates in Word, and it’s up to you to find the option that best suits your industry and personality. No matter which template you choose, the most important thing is to represent yourself well. When it comes to  writing resumes , content wins over style every time.

While a  resume outline  and template will give your document the basic structure it needs, save yourself time and frustration by opting for a complete resume builder experience instead.

Whether you want to upload and  check a resume  with our AI-powered tips or start from scratch, our tools are convenient and effective. If you’ve got your information handy, then a stylish, professional resume is just a few clicks away.

The best way to start is to choose a Word resume template for a professional outline. Word has prebuilt templates, or you can download and upload one you find online. Once your template is set, you can customize the font, colors, spacing, and columns to fit your needs. Some best practices when creating a resume in Word include keeping it on a single page, using a 12-14 point Arial or Times New Roman font for readability, and using single or 1.5 point spacing.

Try a reverse-chronological format . It tends to work best for most careers. Leading with your most recent experiences shows career growth and helps emphasize how you can help with current industry needs. For example, someone applying for a senior management role may want to show how they’ve climbed the ladder from assistant or project management roles. Alternatively, recent grads with limited experience or applicants for highly technical roles may also benefit from functional or hybrid formats that list relevant skills and accomplishments before employment history.

Word has many prebuilt resume templates you can access. To do so, click “File” then “New” and type “resume” in the search box that appears at the top right-hand corner. Then, simply choose the one that fits your needs and personality. To access a resume template for Word that you downloaded online, go to “Insert” then “Object” and choose the file from the box that appears.

To save and email the resume you created in Word, go to “File” then “Save As.” Once the box pops up, enter a file name that shows exactly what position you’re applying to, such as “First Name–Last Name–Position–2024.” Then, under the “File Format” dropdown, you should select PDF since it’s the most widely accepted file type for resumes. Lastly, you would compose your email, click attach files, and add the PDF you just saved.

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Download my ATS-Friendly Resume Template .

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Or download as PDF .

Download my Lawyer Up Resume Template .

Take me to my Teacher of the Year Word Resume Template .