Simple Resume Templates [Free to Download]
A simple resume template highlights your professionalism and put your skills and experience in the forefront. Download one of our free basic resume templates with one click. You can build and edit your resume with these templates in Microsoft Word.
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Your resume is employers’ first glimpse at you. It shows what skills and experiences you bring. A professional and well-structured resume ensures your resume is both readable and easy to follow which increases its chances of catching hiring managers’ eyes.
Choosing a basic resume template is smart when you’re applying for any kind of job. Our simple templates help put together your resume so it grabs the attention of those hiring. They come with an easy-to-read design, fonts that don’t strain the eyes, and options to tweak things as you like. These free traditional resume templates will make your job search easier and faster.
Start building your resume with these free templates
These resume templates are designed to make building your resume faster and easier. Simply click on any template to be taken directly to our resume builder, where the selected template will be pre-loaded and ready for customization. Each template is fully optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS), giving your resume the best chance of getting noticed by employers.
Free simple resume templates
In our collection, we’ve got a bunch of free simple resume templates perfect for anyone on the job hunt. You can download all of these for free and edit them in Microsoft Word. After you’ve written your resume, optimize it using Jobscan’s AI resume editor. Or skip the templates and use our free resume builder.
What should a simple resume look like?
A basic resume needs to be tidy and straightforward so it’s easy for recruiters to find what they need. You want your resume not just to look good but also do a great job showing off what you can bring to the table.
At the very start of your resume, make sure you put down how they can reach out to you. This includes your name, phone number, email address, and links to professional social media pages like LinkedIn, if you’ve optimized your profile. Put this info right at the top so employers don’t have to search for it.
Following that, include a section where you talk about your career goals and why you’re a good fit for the role. Keep this part brief but punchy; tailor it specifically for each job application.
For the main chunk of your resume – where you dive into work history – list your jobs starting with the latest one first. List the company, your job title, your employment dates (include month and year), and some quick points on your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Keep things clear yet succinct here by using bullet points. That format helps to spotlight key successes or skills you gained.
Don’t forget about education! Include any degrees, certifications, or special training that’s relevant to the job you’re applying to. Data shows that listing your certifications and degrees will increases your interview rate.
Wrap things up by listing your skills that are directly useful for that job.
Use a clean and uncluttered layouts
When it comes to a simple resume template, the main thing is keeping everything clear and not too busy. This means your layout should be basic and almost plain. Hirers should be able to quickly see what they need about you. Here’s how you can make sure your resume looks neat:
- Stick with one font. Pick something traditional like Arial or Times New Roman because they’re easy on the eyes.
- Break down your resume into parts. It’s helpful for those hiring to find the information they need without any hassle.
- Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and achievements. They help split up the text so it doesn’t become a wall of words.
- Don’t forget about white space! Leaving room between different sections makes everything look balanced and clean.
- Keep things basic in terms of design—too many colors or fancy fonts take away from what’s important.
Use easy-to-read fonts and formatting
Your resume needs to be easy to read. Keep that in mind when you’re picking out fonts and setting up your resume. You want fonts that don’t strain the eyes and a layout that shines a light on what you can do and what you’ve done before. Use classic fonts. A basic resume template might seem plain, but it’s more likely to make a strong first impression.
Go with a font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These are common choices because they’re clear and easy to read on either paper or a computer screen.
To give some parts of your resume a bit more oomph—like section titles and your name—bump up the font size a tad. It’ll help these areas pop so people pay attention to them right away.
Keep how you use capital letters consistent, as well as how much space there is between lines or paragraphs.
When it comes down to creating an effective resume, readability comes first, followed by simplicity. A simple resume is basic and uses classic fonts and formatting.
How to personalize your basic resume template
- Make sure your contact details are up-to-date: name, phone number, email address, and social media links. This way, hiring managers won’t have a hard time reaching out to you.
- In your summary or objective, talk about what you’re aiming for in your career and your skills and experiences that match what the job needs. Use keywords from the job description here.
- Update your work history with your latest jobs. Focus on big wins in each role. Where possible, try putting numbers on those achievements too.
- Add specific abilities in the skills section, especially ones that fit with what they’re looking for in the role. These will be technical know-how certifications or even languages, if relevant.
- Don’t forget to read through every line carefully before sending it off. A mistake-free resume says a lot about how detail-oriented you are.
Customizing your chosen simple resume template ensures that each application clearly reflects both where you’re headed professionally and puts forward a strong case for why you’re the right person for the job. And always tailor your resume to the application.
Why choose a traditional resume template?
A simple resume template can make things easier when you’re looking for a job. Here’s why:
- This kind of template keeps everything neat and easy to read. Hiring managers won’t have to struggle to find the information they need to decide if you’re a good fit for the role.
- A simple resume puts your skills and experience at the forefront. That’s what you want them to remember – not your resume design.
- Using this kind of template sends the message that you value clarity and professionalism in presenting yourself.
- From the perspective of hiring managers, these templates are great because they cut down on their work. They can quickly see if you’ve got what it takes for the position.
Many companies use software called applicant tracking systems (ATS) to handle applications smoother. Our basic but classic resume templates are made to work well with these systems. The ATS will be able to parse the text and show your resume when the recruiter searches for candidates with specific qualifications.
More Resume Templates