Best Free Resume Templates & Tips for a Professional Resume 

If you’re looking for free resume templates without hidden costs or subscription traps, platforms like Rezi, Canva, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Adobe offer a variety of professional, customizable designs. These templates are often ATS-friendly, ensuring your resume is readable by recruiters and robots. Once you’ve chosen your template, focus on an easy-to-read format: use simple headings, list your most recent jobs first, and include a brief summary or objective at the top. Tailor your experience with specific achievements and action verbs, and highlight relevant skills, certifications, and education to make your resume stand out. 

You’re just trying to find a free resume template — no hidden fees, no surprise subscriptions, no $100 charge because you forgot to cancel a 7-day trial. Been there. Not fun. 

You finally spot the one — organized layout, looks professional, and you can already picture your name in bold at the top. And then — bam — paywall. Like booking a cheap Ryanair flight and getting charged for your seat, bag, and breathing air. 

And the templates that are actually free? Either straight out of 2006 or so overdesigned that ATS can’t read them. Making a resume is stressful enough without worrying if your fonts are unreadable by bots. 

That’s where this guide comes in. You’ll get: 

• Legit, free resume templates from Rezi, Canva, Google Docs, Word, and Adobe. 
• Quick tips on what to write in each section of your resume. 

Want to skip the hassle? Create your resume in minutes (and for free) with the Rezi AI Resume Builder. For more inspo, check out: 

• 30+ Basic Resume Templates 
• 35+ Professional Resume Templates 
• 50 MS Word Resume Templates 
• 40 Free Google Docs Resume Templates 
• Top 25+ Free Canva Resume Templates 

Free Rezi Resume Template 

Rezi offers one completely free resume template — and honestly, it gets the job done. But if you’re looking for more variety, check out our full collection of premium ATS-friendly resume templates. 

Standard resume template 

Clean, classic, and built to beat the bots. This ATS-friendly, single-column layout uses simple headings like “Professional Experience” and “Education” to keep things easy to read and scan. 

Free MS Word Resume Templates

Microsoft Word has a lot of free resume templates that are simple to edit and customize. You can tweak them directly in Word or upload them to Google Docs. 

Bold resume template 

This resume makes a statement with an eye-catching orange sidebar — without messing with ATS readability. The single-column layout keeps everything neat and organized. 

Professional resume template 

No fluff, just clear lines and plenty of white space. This minimalist design looks sharp and makes it easy for recruiters to find what matters. Just drop a short summary or objective under your contact info. 

Project management resume template 

A polished layout with a pop of red that adds just the right amount of personality. The section dividers make this easy to navigate. Use bullet points in your work experience section, and if you’ve got industry experience, go with a resume summary inside of an objective. 

Basic resume template 

This basic resume highlights job titles and degrees in a soft blue font. It’s tidy and well-spaced — great for showing off hard and soft skills. If you’re experienced, skip the activities section and use the space for more relevant information. 

Compact resume template

Short on experience? This layout keeps things tight and tidy — perfect for grads or anyone just starting out. Use bullet points to make your achievements easy to scan. 

Looking for more options? Browse the full collection of Word resume templates. 

Free Canva Resume Templates

Canva has loads of free resume templates — just sign up and start customizing. It’s super easy to use, even if you’re new to design. 

Just a heads-up: Canva uses text boxes for everything, which some ATS can’t read. 

Simple resume template 

This basic resume is perfect if you’ve only had one or two relevant jobs. Focus on your resume achievements, rather than just listing duties.

Modern resume template 

With its burgundy accents, this resume looks sleek and professional. Keep your resume summary short (two or three sentences) and stick to a simple skills list. Colored boxes can confuse ATS and make your resume harder for recruiters to read. 

IT resume template 

Designed for tech roles, this resume is both ATS-friendly and eye-catching thanks to the bold blue font. Add your phone number and location, and skip personal pronouns in your summary. Tailor your summary to the job to stand out. 

College student resume template 

Originally for a marketing strategist, this resume works great for students too. The layout uses white space to make your resume feel full, even with limited experience. If you don’t have much work history, put your education before your work experience — and add a skills section.

For more ideas, check out the other Canva resume templates. 

Free Google Docs Resume Templates 

Google Docs offers five solid resume templates in their template gallery — free, clean, and easy to use. They’re professionally formatted with just the right amount of color to stand out. 

Classic resume template 

A pop of green gives the Spearmint template a fresh look without overdoing it. It’s spaced out and easy to read. Add a summary under your contact info, keep your skills section at the bottom, and aim for at least three bullet points per job. 

Two-column resume template 

The Serif template features a two-column layout with lots of room to show off your experience and skills. Include 3–8 bullet points under each job, and use bullets for your skills and awards sections too to make everything easy to scan. 

Traditional resume template 

The Coral resume template keeps it classic but adds a modern twist with its subtle color accents. Use one font throughout (Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica work best), include a summary or objective under your contact info, and place your skills section at the end. 

Creative resume template 

This resume uses bold pink and a fun, coding-inspired font — perfect for creatives. It puts the spotlight on company names and locations, but if your job titles are the real stars, make those stand out instead. 

Free Adobe Resume Templates 

Adobe resume templates are popular with those in the creative field, like graphic designers, artists, and UX professionals. But many of them use photos, heavy graphics, and shaded sections, which can affect ATS readability. If you’re applying online, stick to simpler layouts to ensure your skills and experience get picked up. 

Business resume template 

The blue border gives this resume a polished, professional look. There’s plenty of space to dive into your work history. Just remove the “References available upon request” section, add your location and LinkedIn to your header, and skip the “Contact” label. 

Sales resume template 

This sales resume lays everything out in neat, labeled sections — great for recruiters skimming fast. If you want more room to list your work experience, move the education section to the other column and aim for at least three bullet points per job. 

Illustrator resume template 

The pink background and graphics in this resume help you stand out, especially in design roles. Just make sure your contact info is complete — include a professional email above your phone number. 

High school student resume template 

This layout works well if you don’t have much experience. It doesn’t feel empty, thanks to the solid black side panel that gives it structure. Add a short resume objective under your contact details and move the experience section below your education. 

How to Make Your Resume 

In short: keep your resume layout clear and professional with a reverse chronological format. Start with your contact info, write a tailored summary or objective, and highlight your most relevant work experience using bullet points and strong action verbs. List education, certifications, and skills that match the job. If needed, add extras like projects, languages, or volunteer work to round things out. Keep it focused, readable, and aligned with the role you’re applying for.  

So, you’ve picked the perfect resume template, and now it’s time to fill it in. But where do you even start? Let’s break down exactly how to build a strong, clear resume, section by section. 

Choose a professional resume format 

Even the best resume can fall flat if it’s messy. Keep it clean and easy to read. 

• Go with a reverse-chronological format — start with your latest job and work backward. 
• Use simple headings like “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Skills.” 
• Choose a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica (10–12 pt for body text, 14–16 pt for headings). 
• Set margins to one inch and use single or 1.15 spacing. 
• Aim for a one-page resume and don’t overdo it with graphics or color. 

Outline your contact info in a resume header 

Make it easy for recruiters to reach you. 

• Put your full name in bold, around 20–24 pt font. 
• Add your phone number, a professional email (like [email protected]), and your location (city and state or country). 
• Double-check that your contact details are up to date. 
• Include your LinkedIn and portfolio if you have one. If you don’t, we’ve got tips on how to make your LinkedIn. 

Write a short summary or objective

Your summary or objective is a quick two- or three-sentence pitch at the top of your resume — so make it count. 

• Mention the job title and company, and highlight the skills and experience that match what they’re looking for. 
• Throw in any numbers to show off your impact. For example, “led a team of 5 to hit weekly sales goals.” 
• New to the field? Go with a resume objective. Focus on your transferable skills, certifications, and excitement to learn and contribute to the team. 

Here’s a sample resume objective: 

“Motivated business graduate with hands-on experience from marketing and customer service internships, along with a Google Digital Marketing certification. Eager to apply my communication and data analysis skills in the Marketing Assistant role at ABC Corp.” 

• _If you’ve got solid experience, use a resume summary. Emphasize your top wins, how long you’ve been in the field, and what you bring to the table. 

Here’s an example of a resume summary: 

“Customer-focused Retail Manager with 6+ years of experience leading teams and boosting sales. Increased store revenue by 25% annually through streamlined operations and strong leadership. Excited to bring expertise to the Retail Manager role at ABC Corp.” 

For help creating yours, try the Rezi AI Resume Summary Generator. 

Show off your work experience 

Your work experience section highlights what you’ve done and the impact you’ve made. 

• List your job title, company, location, and dates worked for each role. 
• Use 3–8 bullet points per job to focus on your achievements and responsibilities. 
• Tailor your experience to the job posting. For example, if they mention lesson planning or curriculum development, be sure to showcase your relevant experience. 
• Start each bullet with a strong action verb, like “operated,” “designed,” and “trained.” 
• Make your impact clear with numbers and percentages, like how much time you saved, the costs you reduced, the customers you served, or the people you managed. 
• If you don’t have direct experience, describe transferable skills like customer service, communication, or problem-solving. 

Here’s a sample work experience section: 

Receptionist | Sunshine Health Clinic, New York | March 2020–Present 
• Greeted and checked in 50+ patients daily, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience. 
• Managed a multi-line phone system, directing calls and messages with 95% accuracy. 
• Scheduled appointments, reducing booking errors by 20% and improving overall patient satisfaction. 
• Maintained patient records and confidential information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. 
• Assisted in office organization, increasing overall office efficiency by 15%. 

Front Desk Associate | Cityview Hotel, New York | June 2017–February 2020 
• Handled guest check-ins and check-outs for 100+ guests per day, ensuring prompt and friendly service. 
• Managed guest reservations, reducing booking discrepancies by 10%. 
• Responded to guest inquiries, resolving 90% of concerns on the spot. 
• Coordinated with housekeeping and maintenance, improving room readiness time by 25%. 

Highlight your education details 

Keep your education section clear and focused on how it makes you a good fit for the job. 

• Start with your highest degree, including the school, degree, and graduation date. 
• Add your GPA if it’s over 3.5 and you graduated within the last 10 years. 
• For ongoing studies, note your degree, expected graduation date, and relevant coursework or extracurricular activities. 
• List your certifications on your resume separately with the institution and completion date. 

Here’s an example of an education section: 

Education 

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
‍University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA 

• Expected Graduation: May 2026 
• Relevant Coursework: Advanced Marketing Strategies, Consumer Behavior, Data Analytics 

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
‍University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Graduated May 2023 
• GPA: 3.8 

Certifications 

Google Analytics Certified | Google Skillshop | March 2024
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification | HubSpot Academy | January 2024

List relevant skills 

Focus on the skills that match the job description — especially hard skills — and back them up with real examples. 

• Highlight hard skills like project management, Python, Excel, or SQL — these catch recruiters’ attention fast. 
• Avoid listing vague soft skills like “great communicator” or “team player.” Instead, demonstrate how you led meetings, solved problems, or collaborated across teams. 
• Weave your skills naturally into your work experience to show them in action. 

Add extra resume sections 

If your work experience or education feels a bit light, don’t stress — there are other ways to stand out. 

• Hobbies. Only include them if you lack experience and they’re relevant, e.g. painting on a graphic designer resume. 
• Extracurricular activities. Student council, debate club, theater, or any club or sport can show leadership, creativity, or initiative. 
• Languages. List any extra languages you speak and your level, e.g. fluent, intermediate, or basic. 
• Projects. Talk about anything you’ve created or contributed to — solo or with a team. Think of apps you built, videos you edited, photos you took for events, or programs you helped launch. 
• Volunteer experience. Describe fundraisers, community work, or anything that shows you care and take action. 

Summary 

Here’s a quick rundown of free resume templates: 

• Rezi offers an ATS-friendly, clean design with a simple single-column layout that works for most users. 
• Microsoft Word has a variety of customizable templates, including bold, minimalist, and student-friendly designs. 
• Canva provides visually appealing templates, but the text boxes and graphics might affect ATS compatibility. 
• Google Docs features five modern, easy-to-use templates that are professional with a touch of color. 
• Adobe’s templates are popular among creatives but can have design elements that impact ATS readability, so simple layouts are better for online applications. 
• Use a reverse-chronological format, a basic font like Arial or Calibri, one-inch margins, and limit your resume to one page. 
• Your resume should include a professional header, a short summary or objective, work experience with bullet points, and education and certifications. 
• Remember to use action verbs, quantify your accomplishments, and tailor your resume to the job description. 

FAQ 

How to find resume templates on Google Docs? 

Searching “resume templates Google Docs” on Google won’t take you straight there — but you can find them on Google Docs. Click on the “template gallery” on the right, scroll down, and you’ll see a section just for resumes. 

How far back should a resume go? 

Stick to the last 10–15 years of work experience. Focus on roles that are recent and relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’ve got an older job that’s especially relevant, it’s fine to include it — just skip the less important ones to keep your resume concise and focused. 

Should I save my resume as a Word file or PDF? 

PDF is the safest bet because it keeps your formatting intact. But if the job posting asks for a Word doc, follow the instructions. Some older ATS might read Word files better. 

What’s the difference between a CV and a resume? 

A resume is usually 1–2 pages and emphasizes your key skills and experience. A CV is longer, more detailed, and includes everything from academic work to publications. In the US, CVs are mostly used for academic or research roles. Elsewhere (like Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand), “CV” and “resume” are used interchangeably. 

How many pages should a resume be? 

One page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Two pages if you’ve been around the block and have lots to show. Just keep it relevant — hiring managers don’t want to read a novel. 

Should you put your address on your resume? 

There’s no need to include your full address anymore. It’s better for privacy reasons to just list your city and state or country. 

What’s the most common resume mistake? 

The biggest mistake is sending out a generic resume. If you don’t tailor it to the job you’re applying for, it’s easy to get overlooked. Make sure to use keywords from the job posting and talk about the skills that match the role.