Absolutely free resume templates?!
Yes. Yes indeed.
We’ve done the hard work for you and selected 20 of the best free resume templates online.
You’re about to discover a carefully curated collection of simple resume templates that are professional, eye-catching and best of all available to download for free.
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These are some of the best sources for a free resume template in 2023:
- Microsoft Word templates
- Google Docs
- Canva
- LaTex
- Behance
Here you are going to see our top selections from these resume templates available for free downloading. Plus some tips for how to match a free resume template to your industry and career level.
1. Free Resume Templates for MS Word
Did you know that Microsoft Word always offers some of the best resume templates to use for free?
From the countless options, we’ve chosen a few of the best. However, if none of these catches your eye, then you can explore the full range of their repository here.
1. Blue Spheres
This is a template that helps your job application stand out from all the other black and white queues of resumes waiting to be noticed. Choose this template carefully if you are applying for a job in a more traditional and conservative company. This type of template is appropriate for companies with a more relaxed culture.
2. Contemporary
A modern, well-designed template that’s simple and geometric. The two-column layout gives you enough space to add extra details. Plus, there is a bar chart that shows your proficiency in the skills you include in your resume. If you are a candidate in the IT or tech fields, this is a good resume template for you. Also, it is recommended for entry-level job-seekers and freshers.
3. Green Cube
In colour psychology, green represents balance and harmony. This is another modern resume template. As you can see, it uses a range of green shades and has a great resume layout that allows you to include all the information a recruiter needs. The two-column format gives you plenty of room to write an impactful personal statement.
4. Mellow Yellow
From green cube to sunny yellow. Isn’t it nice? This free resume template for Word is another colourful option that is bound to stand out from the pile. Also, everything is neatly boxed up for a clean look and an easy read. It has a fresh and youthful feel that’d be perfect for a student or fresher resume.
5. Basic
This free basic resume template offers a traditional layout with a subtle grey accent. It’s a very clean, conservative look that would be a great choice for a job application for traditional corporate roles.
Before you choose one of these, though, let’s consider the advantages and disadvantages of free Word resume templates:
Pros of Free Word Resume Templates:
- Good range of choices for resume and cover letter.
- Widely used file format.
Cons of Free Word Resume Templates:
- Keeping the layout well-formatted can be difficult, especially if you try to make big changes to the original content. For instance, making longer sections will often throw everything out of sync and create a total mess.
Bear these in mind when writing your resume in Word. If you want to have your resume ready faster and with less work, you might want to check out Zety's resume builder.
Next, a selection from Microsoft’s biggest rival in the office suite game.
You know it, Google Docs!
2. Free Resume Templates for Google Docs
According to Google's stats, more than 5 million paying businesses are using G Suite. Google Docs are becoming increasingly popular, and so are free Google Docs resume templates!
To use the free resume templates on this list, you need to have a Google account. If you don’t have an account yet, it’s easy to set one up.
Free Google Doc resume templates are all accessible here under the Resumes section. Below you’ll find our top picks:
1. Spearmint
Stylish, simple, and fresh… just like a good mojito. With a simple and readable design and modern colour highlights, this free resume template will be perfect for any kind of job application. This template is available on Google Docs template gallery. You'll find it there right away. If not, just search for "spearmint" and enjoy making your new resume.
2. Swiss
This template bears the mysterious name Swiss. A solid, well laid out resume template that can win the game. The large amount of white space and clearly separated sections make it easy to read. Plus, it's a safe choice for almost any job or career.
Pro tip: Some Google resume templates have corresponding cover letter templates, so if you’re writing a cover letter, you can use a matching layout.
3. Coral
The third template we introduce from the Google Docs template gallery is an attractively simple design that can definitely impress recruiters. What makes it stand out is the use of font pairing, with the tasteful use of cursive script in the experience and education sections. Also, you can easily adjust it to your needs.
4. Serif
This one is named according to the choice of font. Another clean and simple design from Google's gallery. It would be a suitable choice of a free resume template for freshers, especially if you make your education appear first on the page.
5. Modern Writer
The Google Docs gallery doesn't have that many free resume templates, but they are all famous for having a simple and clean design. This one is no exception. Modern Writer is a good choice of a free creative resume template with good readability. The only issue to consider here is that the body text font is a bit too small. So, make it easier to read by bumping it up to 11 or 12 points.
Just like with MS Word, using Google Docs free resume templates has its own strengths and weakness too:
Free Google Docs CV Template Pros
- Don’t need access to Microsoft Office, just a free Google account.
- Templates are simple and easy to edit based on your needs.
- And again, it costs nothing.
Free Google Docs CV Template Cons
- Small choice of templates with not enough variety.
Still haven’t really found what you’re looking for? The good news is that there are more options available for you to find your desired free resume template.
Free resume templates for Word and Google Docs aren’t perfect. Sure, they’re easy to access, but they can be really frustrating to work with, and hey—looking for a job is stressful enough without having to do battle with word processors. Take the pressure off with our builder. Here’s why you’ll love it.
- There are no problems with your resume layout. You just enter your details and the builder does the rest, keeping everything neat and tidy.
- All of our templates are ATS compatible, and you can choose different colours and a range of professional resume fonts.
- Best of all, you’ll get expert advice while you’re writing to craft the best resume template you’ve ever written.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
3. More Free Resume Templates
Remember—
Google’s gallery and MS Word aren’t the only places where you can find free resume templates. Although Microsoft Office and Google Docs offer some excellent resume templates for free, there are other options you can consider using to get your resume done. Among them, Canva is an amazing source of free creative resume templates.
Let’s take a look at some modern resume templates you can find there:
1. Navy-Blue Orange
Here is the first of our collection of Canva’s free resume templates. The colours make this design incredibly eye-catching, yet the sensible choice of font and geometric shapes keep it professional. Plus, there is enough empty space to make it easy to read.
Use this template for free here.
2. Black and Blue
The combination of Black and Blue looks modern, right? This design is suitable for candidates applying to companies with a relaxed and casual culture, and it’s a good free resume template for freshers. If you are writing a resume with not much experience to show, this can be a good choice, as the graphics take up a lot of space on the page.
Use this template for free here.
3. Eye-Popping Colour
Because of the eye-popping colours, this template is worthy of mention. Fiery red and lemon-yellow combined with a two-column format create a design that no one can ignore. Probably the best choice for professions where visual flair is key. So if you are a graphic designer, game developer, or videographer, go for it.
Use this template for free here.
4. Pink and Dark Blue Icons
Another free template from Canva. Here you see much gentler use of colour. It has an attractive and well-designed infographic section for adding your skills. This one is also a good choice for visually creative fields.
Use this template for free here.
5. Grey Simple Minimalist
This stylish monochrome design is a great choice for you if you don't like using colours in your resume. Toned and calm, this free resume template stands out without being garish. Also, the two-column layout gives you the chance to add more details to your resume.
Use this template for free here.
Canva has various impressive and modern free resume templates. No doubt on that. Still, they have their advantages and disadvantages:
Canva resume Template Pros
- Canva is a user-friendly platform and editing its templates is fast and simple.
- It gives you the option to download your resume in PDF format to preserve the layout.
Canva resume Template Pros
- Many of the templates aren’t scannable by ATS systems. It means your resume may be rejected right away.
Pro tip: Adding critical information as a graphical element or image is risky, as your resume won't be ATS scannable. If you’ve any doubts, save your resume as a plain-text file and check the results. If there’s missing info, incorrectly rendered characters, or your section order is scrambled, then it’s likely the resume will fail the ATS readability test.
The last set of free resume templates comes from a few sources.
6. Marvellous Mind Map
Let’s start with this unique format. It is similar to those free-flowing mind maps that you may have seen on whiteboards during business brainstorming sessions. But be careful: this one is definitely just for creative professionals applying to companies with a much-relaxed culture. It’s available free to download in Word format from Smash Resume.
Download this free template here.
7. Dark
The Dark resume template is a great fit for candidates seeking creative positions. It’s available in several popular file formats, including versions of this resume template in PSD and DOC.
Download this free template here.
8. Paint it Black
This template combines style and simplicity in a package that proves black and white doesn’t need to be boring. An attractive design that would also look great printed in the high-quality print. It’s available in PSD, Word and AI format and was created by Good-Resume.
Download this free template here.
9. Cold as Ice
A modern resume template that comes courtesy of Freesume and is available for free download for Word format. It's subtle and calming due to the light colour tones. And as you see, it has some unique formatting in the experience and education section.
Download this free template here.
10. Timo
For our last free resume template, we’ve chosen this one. In contrast to the previous free resume templates, this one is more traditional. But it doesn’t mean it’s devoid of elements that give it a unique character. It will work well for candidates who want to write a classic resume.
Download this free template here.
There are more downloadable free resume templates available on the web. Above is our selection. If you’re not sure a free resume template is what you’ve been looking for, how about taking a look at what our resume builder has to offer?
A great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
Create my resume and cover letter
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
And that’s our complete round-up of free resume templates. What do you think about our gallery? Did you have any favourites? Give me a shout-out in the comments below, if you’ve got any resources to share or questions to ask!
FAQs
Where can I download a free resume template? ›
- Microsoft Word templates.
- Google Docs.
- Canva.
- LaTex.
- Behance.
If you need help creating a resume or cover letter, start with one of the dozens of professionally-designed resume and cover letter templates that are available in Word. Go to File > New. In the search box, type Resume or Cover Letter. Double-click the template you want to use.
Is there a free resume template without paying? ›Yes, Novorésumé is a 100% free resume builder. If you're on a budget, you can use it to create your resume completely free of charge. And no, unlike some other resume builders out there, we don't hit you with a paywall once you've completed your resume.
How can I download my perfect resume for free? ›To use My Perfect Resume for free, click "Download" on the left toolbar once you reach the final step of the builder — instead of selecting "Save and next." Then, choose "Plain Text (. txt)" to download your resume for free.
Which format do most employers prefer for resumés? ›Chronological Resume
This is the most common type of resume format and is generally preferred by most hiring managers.
- Visit Acrobat online.
- Upload your Word resume file.
- Let Acrobat do its magic.
- Download and save your resume template PDF.
1. Go to Microsoft365.com. 2. Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the "Sign in" button.
How many pages should a resume be? ›For most candidates, a resume should be only one page. Be brief and concise with anything you write on your resume. Customize your resume for the job you're applying for and include only relevant experience. If you've done everything right, you shouldn't get past one page.
How can I download a resume from resume io without paying? ›Once you create your resume on Resume.io and want to download it for free, you can download a TXT file. A TXT file is exactly what it sounds like. It's only the text of your resume without a design theme.
Is resume Genius actually free? ›Resume Genius allows anyone to download and use their step-by-step guides, resume and cover letter templates, as well as other career resources for free. You can even create your resume with their resume builder, but if you want to download that resume, you will have to buy a 14-day trial version for $2.95.
How far back should a resume go? ›
As you move through your career, the rule of thumb is to include only the most recent 10 to 15 years of job experience. This article will guide you through exactly how far back your resume should reach.
What is the easiest resume template? ›The easiest resume format to read is the reverse chronological format. Recruiters and hiring managers are familiar with its structure, and it's the most popular resume format in 2023 among candidates.
How many bullets should you have on a resume? ›A good benchmark is between 3-5 bullet points per job. However, you can use as few as 2 bullet points or as many as 12 bullet points for each position as long as it's relevant to the job description. The number of bullet points you use typically depends on: Years of work experience.
What are the 6 things that should be included on a resume? ›- Personal Information.
- Objective.
- Education.
- Work and Related Experience.
- Awards and Honors.
- Activities/Hobbies.
- Skills.
- References (3-5 people)
The best format for your resume at the moment is a PDF. A PDF resume is readable by ATS and also keeps your formatting and illustrations in place. You can use an online resume builder like Enhancv which downloads your resume as a PDF.
What are the two most widely used resume templates? ›The reverse-chronological resume format.
This is the most common and practical resume format in 2023. 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.
Students and educators at eligible institutions can sign up for Office 365 Education for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and now Microsoft Teams, plus additional classroom tools. Use your valid school email address to get started today.
Is there a free full version of Word? ›Yes, the online version of Word is free to use, although you will still need a Microsoft account. The browser-based version has several limitations when compared to the desktop app, you must have an internet connection, fewer macros and add-ins, limited compatibility with third-party apps, and more.
Is there a free version of Word? ›Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more for free on the web.
What is the first thing on a resume? ›Opening statement. An opening statement is a summary of who you are, where you've studied and/or worked, and what you bring to the job. It should be about six lines long and written in first person without the personal reference (i.e., don't say "I did this" - say “Did this" instead).
What personal information should not be included on the resume? ›
6. Personal details. There's no need to include personal information on a resume such as your social security number, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs. In fact, it is illegal for employers to ask for these personal details.
How to download Zety resume for free without paying? ›To download a free resume from Zety, complete your resume, go to the “Download” tab, and select Plain Text (. txt) as the preferred format. If you wish to generate a document in a different format (e.g., a PDF resume or Word file), you will require a paid Zety account.
Does Google Docs have resume templates? ›If you don't have Microsoft Word or just want a simple way to get started with building and writing a resume, these free resume templates for Google Docs are the perfect place to start. It's true that Google Docs actually has built-in resume templates. We'll show you how to access those templates.
How much is the best online resume? ›- TopResume, $149 to $699.
- Resume Companion, $8 a month.
- Resumeble, $149 to $339.
- BrandResumes, $349 to $999.
- TopStack Resume, $139 to $649.
- ResumeSpice, $449 to $689.
- Craft Resumes, $229 to $500.
Can I view resumes on Indeed for free? You can search the database and see a preview of candidates' resumes for free, but you'll need an Indeed account and an active Indeed Resume subscription to view full resumes and contact candidates.
When should you not put a job on your resume? ›- You held the job for less than 6 months.
- You don't have any relevant accomplishments to list.
- The job was in a completely different role or industry.
Should you put your address on your resume? It's optional. In certain situations, including it could be helpful, but leaving it out won't get you rejected. Put the city and zip code of the employer in your professional summary if you're really concerned about being rejected by the ATS.
What is the 6 seconds resume rule? ›Studies have shown that the average recruiter scans a resume for six seconds before deciding if the applicant is a good fit for the role. In other words, to pass the resume test, your resume only has six seconds to make the right impression with a prospective employer.
How many jobs should you list on a resume? ›How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? You should list as many jobs on your resume as you can assuming they are all relevant and you're not going beyond the 10-15 year limit. The number of jobs typically varies between 7 and 3. As long as each job or position is relevant, you shouldn't worry about the exact number.
Do employers prefer simple resumes? ›A simple resume can be beneficial for many reasons. This type of resume allows recruiters and hiring managers to quickly see your qualifications for a position. Rather than being distracted by font and designs, potential employers can easily note your skills and experience.
Do employers not like resume templates? ›
Bottom line: Using a template will never make you stand out and chances are your application will be cut short due to your resume being the same as every other job seeker's.
Do you write resumes in past or present tense? ›Most of your resume should be in the past tense because the bulk of your resume space is taken up by past work experiences. “Use past tense for sections of your resume you are no longer doing,” Smith says.
What are filler words in a resume? ›Filler words in resumes are as good as you going “uhhm”, “well”, “ah-huh”. They don't do add any value to what you're saying and make you sound redundant. In your resume, words like “team player”, “strong work ethics”, “reliable”, “experienced” would be the equivalent of these filler words.
Is it OK to repeat bullet points on a resume? ›One way to highlight important qualifications is by repeating them in more than one location. In the typical resume, you might relate this critical information in the summary and then repeat it later on in the body. You should also make sure it appears in your cover letter or e-mail.
Are there any free resume templates online? ›With Canva, you can use as many free resume templates as you want – there's no limit. All you need to do is sign up for a basic account and you're ready to start creating a winning resume. Pros: Canva offers a wide variety of resume templates in different categories.
How do I get a free resume template on Google Docs? ›Yes. If you're using Google Drive, click on New, choose Google Docs, and From a template. If you start in Google Docs, pick Template gallery in the upper right corner. In both cases, you should scroll down to find the Resumes or CVs category.
How do I download my resume from Canva for free? ›- Open Canva. Log in to your Canva account and search for “CV templates” or “Resumes” to get started.
- Choose the perfect template. Browse our selection of professionally designed CV templates. ...
- Edit your CV template. ...
- Present your credentials in creative ways. ...
- Save and submit your CV.
Yes, we made a resume template on Google Docs! It's free, easy to plug your own information into, and explains where everything should go and how, from what your bullets should look like to what skills you should list. Just click “File” > “Make a copy” to create your own copy.
Is it OK to use Google Docs resume template? ›If you want to create a professional resume using a template, Google Docs is one of the best options to help. Employers often form their first impressions of candidates based on their resumes, so presenting one that is professional and describes your suitability for the role may increase your chances of getting hired.
Is Google Doc free? ›To begin, simply go to docs.google.com or by navigating to Google Docs from their Gmail or Google Drive online storage account. General access is free for all.
Is resume .IO safe? ›
Yes, Resume.io is legit. It has almost 24 million users worldwide and has been helping job seekers create professional resumes for 5+ years. Resume.io consults with HR and recruitment experts, and has a team of dedicated IT and support specialists to ensure a high level of client service.
Is Canva no longer free to download? ›For anyone wanting to design anything, on your own or with others. And it's free forever. For individuals wanting unlimited access to premium content and design tools.
Does Canva have a free version? ›Canva is always free for every individual and team. However, if you want to unlock premium features, individuals can upgrade to Canva Pro to easily create professional designs and content.