If you have ever typed 'best resume template' into a search bar, you probably wanted a straight answer: which one should I use? The honest truth is that the best resume template is the one that fits your experience, the job you are targeting, and the way employers actually read resumes. This guide walks you through choosing a template, laying out each section, formatting it so software can parse it, and knowing when to walk away from a template entirely.
Choosing the right best resume template
Start with the reading experience, not the design. Most recruiters skim a resume in seconds, and many companies use applicant tracking systems to search for keywords before a human ever opens the file. That means your template needs to be clean, predictable, and easy to scan. A two-column layout with a skills sidebar can look modern, but if the text order gets scrambled when parsed, your experience may never reach a recruiter's screen.
Ask yourself three questions before you commit to a template. First, does it put your strongest material in the top third of the page? Second, can you read every section without zooming in or hunting for information? Third, does it let you customize headings without breaking the structure? If the answer to any of these is no, keep looking.
You should also match the template to your career stage. A recent graduate benefits from a template that gives education and projects prominent placement. A mid-career professional needs room for accomplishments and metrics. A senior leader may want a concise executive summary followed by selected achievements rather than a full task list. For more on turning duties into achievements, see our guide to mastering resume accomplishments.
Tip: Print your resume or view it at 100% zoom on a phone. If you cannot find the job title and company in three seconds, the template is too busy.
Section-by-section layout guidance
A strong template organizes information in the order a recruiter expects. Here is a practical sequence that works for most job seekers.
Header and contact information
Put your name, city and state, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn URL at the top. Skip the full mailing address, and do not bury contact details in a header or footer, because some systems ignore that area. Use a professional email address and a phone number you answer.
Professional summary
This is a three-to-four line paragraph that tells the reader who you are and what you offer. It should be specific to the role you are applying for. Here is an illustrative example for a marketing coordinator role:
Illustrative example: 'Detail-oriented marketing coordinator with 4 years of experience in email campaign management and customer segmentation. Increased newsletter open rates by 18% through A/B testing and list hygiene. Skilled in HubSpot, Google Analytics, and copywriting for B2B audiences.'
Notice that this summary includes a role, a result, and a short skills list. It does not claim to be a visionary leader or a results-driven professional, because those phrases say nothing. For more on writing responsibilities without sounding generic, see our article on effective strategies for writing resume responsibilities.
Skills
A dedicated skills section helps both human readers and keyword searches. Keep it to a short list of hard skills and tools that are relevant to the job. Here is an illustrative skills list for the same marketing coordinator example:
- Email marketing automation (HubSpot, Mailchimp)
- Customer segmentation and list management
- A/B testing and conversion optimization
- Google Analytics and campaign reporting
- B2B copywriting and content editing
Avoid soft skills like 'team player' or 'detail-oriented' in this section. Those belong in your summary or your bullet points, where you can show them in context.
Professional experience
List your jobs in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the company name, location, your job title, and dates of employment. Underneath, write bullet points that describe what you did and what changed because of it. Use numbers where you can, but do not invent metrics. If you need help framing numbers honestly, read our guide to mastering resume metrics.
Here are five illustrative bullet points for the marketing coordinator example:
- Illustrative example: Managed a monthly email calendar of 12 campaigns, coordinating copy, design, and send schedules across three product lines.
- Illustrative example: Built a segmented welcome series that reduced unsubscribe rates by 22% over two quarters.
- Illustrative example: Partnered with sales to align lead-scoring criteria, improving marketing-qualified lead handoff accuracy.
- Illustrative example: Documented email QA checklist that cut send errors from an average of three per month to zero.
- Illustrative example: Presented campaign performance dashboards to leadership, highlighting two underperforming segments and recommending budget shifts.
Each bullet starts with a verb, describes a specific action, and ends with a result or a clear scope. That pattern keeps your experience section readable and useful.
Education and certifications
Include your degree, institution, and graduation year. If you are early in your career, you can add relevant coursework or academic projects. If you are further along, keep this section short and put certifications that matter to the role near the top of the section.
Optional sections
Projects, volunteer work, publications, and languages can strengthen your resume when they are relevant. If a section does not support your target role, leave it out. A shorter, focused resume beats a longer, padded one.
Formatting rules that keep the file parseable
Applicant tracking systems are not as fragile as some people claim, but they do struggle with certain formatting choices. Follow these rules to keep your file readable by both software and people.
- Use a single-column layout for the main content. Sidebars and text boxes can scramble reading order.
- Stick to standard section headings like 'Professional Experience,' 'Education,' and 'Skills.' Creative headings such as 'Where I've Made an Impact' can confuse parsers.
- Choose a common font such as Arial, Calibri, or Georgia, and keep the size between 10 and 12 points for body text.
- Save and submit as a PDF unless the employer specifically asks for a Word document. PDFs preserve your layout across devices.
- Avoid images, icons, and graphics that contain text. If a skill or job title is only inside an image, a parser may not see it.
- Use simple round bullets, not arrows, checkmarks, or custom symbols.
- Do not put your contact information in the header or footer of the document.
After you format your resume, test it. Copy the text from your PDF and paste it into a plain text editor. If the order is jumbled or sections are missing, simplify the layout. You can also run your resume through an ATS resume builder to see how it performs before you apply.
What to change before using the template
A template is a starting point, not a finished product. Before you send your resume anywhere, make these changes.
- Replace every placeholder with your own真实 information. Do not leave sample text, fake metrics, or bracketed instructions in the final file.
- Rewrite the professional summary so it names the role you are targeting and the value you bring.
- Reorder your bullet points so the most relevant accomplishments appear first for each application.
- Add keywords from the job description naturally into your skills and experience sections. Do not stuff them in.
- Check that your dates are consistent and that your contact information is current.
- Proofread for typos, then ask someone else to proofread as well. A fresh pair of eyes catches what you miss.
If you are applying to many roles, consider using an AI job application assistant to help you tailor your resume efficiently without losing your voice.
When this template is the wrong choice
The template described here works for most job seekers in most industries, but it is not universal. It may be the wrong choice in a few situations.
If you are applying for a creative role in design, advertising, or film, a highly visual portfolio-style resume may be expected. In that case, the template should showcase your aesthetic while still keeping the text parseable. If you are applying in a country where a photo, date of birth, or other personal details are standard, you will need a template that accommodates those conventions. If you are a senior executive with decades of experience, a two-page executive template that emphasizes board roles and strategic outcomes may serve you better than a one-page format.
Finally, if you are changing careers and your recent experience does not tell the story you want, a functional or hybrid template can help you lead with transferable skills. Just be aware that some recruiters are skeptical of functional resumes because they can obscure employment timelines. Use one only when it genuinely clarifies your fit.
Ready to pick a template that fits your situation? Browse our resume templates and choose the layout that matches your career stage and target role.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same resume template for every job application?
You can reuse the same template structure, but you should adjust the content for each role. Swap in keywords from the job description, reorder bullet points to lead with the most relevant experience, and update your professional summary to mirror the employer's language. The template stays; the content changes.
How do I know if a resume template is ATS-friendly?
Look for a single-column layout, standard section headings, no tables or text boxes, and common fonts. Avoid graphics that contain text, headers and footers with contact information, and unusual bullet symbols. You can test parseability by copying your resume text into a plain text editor and checking that the reading order stays intact.
Should I include a photo on my resume template?
In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, photos are generally not recommended because they can introduce bias and may confuse applicant tracking systems. In some other countries, a photo is expected. Research the norm for your target job market before deciding.
What is the best resume template for someone with gaps in their work history?
A functional or hybrid template that leads with a skills summary and groups experience by project or competency can work well. It shifts attention to what you can do rather than when you did it. However, many recruiters still prefer a chronological format, so use a hybrid only when it genuinely serves your story.
mastering resume accomplishments
writing resume responsibilities
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