40+ Professional Resume Templates
We have some of the best resume templates for job seekers in almost every field. Our templates are professionally designed, employer-ready, ATS-friendly and easy to customize. Choose from dozens of free resume templates, then use our Resume Builder to create a professional resume in minutes.
Last Updated: May 10, 2023Our customers have been hired at:*Foot Note
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How to choose the best resume format for a professional resume
Resume formats and templates go hand-in-hand. Your resume format will determine your resume’s organization and help you choose the best one. For example, if you’re a first-time job seeker, you’ll want to create a resume that emphasizes your skills and training rather than your work experience (or lack thereof).
Choose your resume format based on these guidelines:
- Functional format: This format emphasizes skills by breaking them into subcategories. It’s perfect for jobs that rely on skills more than experience or if you lack experience. Good resume templates for the functional format should include different skills sections, such as the “Summary of Qualifications” and the “Professional Skills.”
- Combination format: If you have a few years of experience or are changing careers but can point to essential skills, use this resume format, which balances skills with work experience. A resume template download for the combination format should feature the “Summary of Qualifications” and a skills list.
- Chronological format: If you can show substantial progression in your career field, or are aiming for a senior position, use this format, which gives you plenty of space to describe your work history. Chronological resume templates have the work history section directly below the resume summary.
Download some of our resume format templates on this page and create a professional resume easily.
How to write a resume using a professional resume template
Think of a resume as a summary of your career and professional qualifications. In the space of one to two pages, your business resume template should communicate your strengths as an employee and what makes you the best fit for the job.
When filling in a blank resume template, focus on customizing it for the specific job: highlighting your skills and work experiences that match the job’s needs. Include keywords that show employers (and the ATS systems they use to scan resumes) that your background aligns with their needs. Use strong action verbs, short phrases and bullet points, and keep your resume concise. Our free downloadable resume templates are all created with these crucial points in mind, so use them as a guide.
For a complete guide on using a resume template to write your resume from top to bottom, visit our page on How to Write a Resume.
How to write a resume summary
The summary in a professional resume template is your first chance to make a good impression with your resume. Think of it as an “elevator pitch” that’s a few sentences long and answers these questions:
- What makes you a good employee? Think in terms of notable skills or achievements.
- What makes you suitable for the job? Emphasize abilities that fit the job.
For more tips on how to write an effective resume summary, visit our How to Write a Resume Summary page after downloading resume templates for your job application.
How to write your work history
Avoid listing everyday duties in the work history section of your resume template. Instead, emphasize special projects or achievements that set you apart and quantify your accomplishments using numbers (e.g., “Managed schedules for 50 employees” or “Headed media campaign that resulted in 23% increase in user subscriptions”).
Our How to Write Your Work History Section page provides more pointers to summarize your work experience in your job resume template effectively.
How to list skills on a resume template
Your resume format will determine how you put your skills section together. If you’re displaying more than a handful of skills, organize your skills section by skill categories (e.g., administrative skills, software skills). Be sure to include:
- Hard skills: abilities you can learn through study and training, such as knowledge of specific software programs or the ability to perform medical procedures.
- Soft skills: intangible traits that tell employers how you can interact with others and approach work, such as attention to detail, communication, or teamwork.
Visit our How to Write Your Skills page for recommendations on using a work resume template to highlight your skills.
Good resume templates for different file formats
There are four acceptable file formats for professional resumes. Sometimes a job description will state which one to use, but if you’re unsure, you’ll find free resume templates to download for all of them on the pages listed below.
PDF resume templates
Employers often prefer resumes in PDF format because they’re readable on any browser and can be submitted “as is” for many job applications. You can download our free resume format templates as PDFs. Check out our PDF resume template page for tips and good resume templates to get you started on a polished PDF resume.
Microsoft Word resume templates
Microsoft Word is one of the most common file types for professional resumes. Get your resume looking its best in Word by following our tips on our Microsoft Word resume templates page.
Google Docs resume templates
For document sharing and flexibility in format downloads, Google Docs resume templates are another excellent choice for your resume. See our Google Docs templates page for the pros and cons of using these templates.
Plain text resume
A professional resume in plain text format can come in handy for several job application situations, such as submitting your resume online or in the body of an email. For a step-by-step guide for using resume templates for jobs in plain text (yes, there are a few rules), visit our plain text resume page.
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Resume template FAQ
Why should I use a resume template?
Some might argue that using a resume layout template shows a lack of creativity, but we disagree. As long as the template is professionally designed with a solid resume layout that passes muster with hiring managers and ATS scans, there’s no downside to using them. If anything, having an employer-ready and ATS-friendly resume template saves you from creating one of your own and worrying about whether your resume will be easy to read.
How can I use a resume template to my advantage?
Think of a blank resume template as the foundation on which you can build your resume. Once you choose the best resume template for your needs, you can update the content with your job qualifications to fit your target job. Use your resume template download with our Resume Builder for helpful job-specific suggestions to fill out your resume.
What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
Many employers use ATS to screen resumes before they reach human eyes. A professional resume with the right keywords to match the job requirements will have a better chance of passing applicant tracking systems. We have templates for resumes that are designed to be readable by ATS. All you need to do is adjust the content for the right keywords.
Which template is best for ATS systems?
All of our 40+ resume templates on this page, as well as our free resume templates, are designed to pass the most popular ATS used by employers today.
Where can I get resume templates for free?
We offer dozens of free resume templates to download on the following pages:
What is the best free resume template?
The best resume templates depend on the job seeker’s experience and skills and the target job. For example, suppose you’re looking at a senior role that relies heavily on experience. In that case, our free resume templates are a good bet, as they make the right impression with a company that values steadiness and efficiency.
If you’re eyeing a job that focuses on creativity and cutting-edge work, go with a creative resume template that shows off your imagination and credentials. But if you’re a first-time job seeker or lack experience, use a basic resume template that can show off your job-ready qualifications and training without resorting to visual bells and whistles. Try our sample resume templates free to find the right one for you.
Can you download resume templates for Word?
Yes! My Perfect Resume offers free and premium templates to download for Microsoft Word. Choose from professional, creative, modern or basic resume template styles.
Do employers prefer one-page resume templates?
Employers typically only spend a few seconds scanning an individual resume, so we recommend keeping your resume to one page if you can include all of your most crucial job qualifications. However, a two-page resume is acceptable if you’re applying for a job that favors lots of experience. Try one of our great resume examples free of charge to see if one or two pages work better for you.
What should I include in my resume?
Every professional resume must include the following sections:
- A header with the job applicant’s contact information.
- A professional summary or an objective statement.
- A work history section focused on accomplishments.
- At least one skills section highlighting a mix of relevant hard and soft skills.
- The job seeker’s education history.
A professional resume template will contain all of the resume sections you need and allow you to customize your resume to include optional qualifications such as awards.
How do you write a cover letter?
Many job applications will ask you to submit a cover letter along with your resume. Remember that your cover letter should complement your resume, not simply repeat it. Hit these points in your cover letter:
- Explain why you’re interested in the job and think you’re a good fit.
- Give more details about an achievement or skill you have that’s relevant to the job.
- Communicate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
We design our cover letter templates to match our premium and free resume templates for consistent job applications. For step-by-step guidance for writing your letter, visit our How to Write a Cover Letter page.
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