[Redirected] 400+ Free Resume Templates to Download in PDF/Doc

Many sites claim to have free resume templates. Truth is, they either throw a paywall at you as soon as you actually want to download—or offer designs so ugly you wouldn’t want to use them anyway. Even if they paid you. 

Here, nobody will play tricks on you.

In this article, you’ll get:

• Genuinely free resume templates to download online in no time.
• Hand-picked selection of 20+ free resume templates from trusted sources.
• Free resume template designs that actually look good.
• Hints where to look for even more free resume templates if you want to have a bigger choice.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Create your resume now

Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.

Best Free Resume Template to Fill In

Have a look at your current resume. It’s so 2021.

Now check this one out:

Use this resume template

Way more impressive, huh? This is what a job-winning resume looks like. 

You can also have success written all over yours, too. 

Use the Zety resume builder to have a perfect resume done on the fly. Pick from 18 professional resume templates, dozens of color variations, and ready-made text content & designs that fit any job or industry.

View all our resume templates

With Zety, you don’t have to know how to write a resume from scratch. Our resume builder will guide you through every step of the process. You can check it out entirely for free—and pay only once you’re truly satisfied with the result. 

Want to check out other options first? I will show you the best free resume template alternatives for in 2022 straight from:

• ResumeGenius
• LiveCareer
• MS Word
• Google Docs
• Canva
• Hloom
• ResumGO

Jump to your preferred style of free resume templates or keep scrolling to see them all:

• Simple
• Professional
• Modern
• Creative

Looking for free resume samples instead? Check out our 500+ resume examples for any job & industry that you can copy and use entirely for free.

Simple Resume Templates Free to Download

Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. If you’re going for a resume with a minimal design, you should take a look at the below selection of free resume templates:

Free Simple Resume Template by ResumeGenius

One-column layout and a little dash of color to highlight the most important parts of your resume is always a good idea, especially if you are applying for a job in a pretty conservative industry, like healthcare or financial services. Get it here.

Want more of this style? Check out these 56 basic templates to download.

Free Simple Resume Template by LiveCareer

This free resume template focuses on your skill set and accomplishments, which makes it a perfect base for a functional resume format. It will work best for applicants changing their careers, branching out, or working in an industry with a heavy focus on skills. Get it here.

Free Simple Resume Template by Google Docs

Here’s a two-column resume template that’s really easy to read—which is a strong advantage if you realize that recruiters take only 6 seconds to skim each resume they get. This design will let you save space for the work experience and education section by moving your skills, awards, and languages to the sidebar. The blue color gives it a sleek look, which not all free resume templates can do. Check out Google Docs resume templates here.

Free Simple Resume Template by Canva

This Canva’s free resume template is designed to serve younger professionals who’re only embarking on their career journeys. If you put your core skills and education above your experience, you’ll draw the recruiter’s attention to your academic achievements and transferable skills. If you’re a beginner job seeker, that can help get hired faster! Get it here.

In total, Canva offers nearly 3K free simple resume designs (see here) but choose wisely. They have been created by graphic designers and not HR experts so many have too vivid colors, non-standard fonts, and little room for actual resume content, which makes them good-looking but not really practical. 

Free Simple Resume Template by Hloom

Given the simple design, this free resume template is perfect for executive roles that may need to create a two-page resume. The subtle blue horizontal lines are a great highlight for candidates with extensive relevant experience. It’s important because at this career level, the content (and not the looks) is meant to make your resume stand out.

Click here to get this template or browse 62 other free simple designs from Hloom.

Free Simple Resume Template by ResumGO

The all-time best combination of icons and skill rating graphics gives this free resume template the lightweight feel any visual resume needs. Even if you heavy-pack it with achievements, you don’t need to worry about overwhelming the recruiter with an overly complex resume layout. Get it here.

If you need more of that style, check out 18 simple and basic resume templates.

Professional Resume Templates Free to Download

Recruiters require professionalism at all stages of the recruitment process. Even when it comes to what your resume template looks like. And for that, here’s a list of professional and free resume templates you can use safely:

Free Professional Resume Template by ResumeGenius

This free resume template has ample whitespace to make sure your resume will be easy to read, no matter how many sections and entries your document will have. Delicate icons and color details won’t distract recruiters from the contents, either. Look no further. Get it here.

Want more of this style? Check out these 36 basic templates to download.

Free Professional Resume Template by LiveCareer

That two-column resume template design is perfect if your definition of “professional” means “minimalist”. This resume layout singles out the most critical sections of your application and highlights your name—making it easier for the recruiters to spot and remember. It will be an ideal choice for candidates writing a functional resume that needs to elaborate on specific job skills in more than just a few bullet points. Get it here.

Free Professional Resume Template by Microsoft Word

Another fresh-looking free resume template to make your job application stand out from the black-and-white crowd (it’s available in multiple color schemes so you’re not forced to run with red). But be careful with this one if you’re eying a job in a conservative field. Go for this kind of resume style only if you know your target company has got a relatively relaxed work culture. Get it here.

If you like the sample above but would like to see more before deciding, check out this page with no fewer than 40 professional templates.

Free Professional Resume Template by Google Docs

Uh! This free resume template is Victorinox-level precise, so it’s all set to pass any ATS scan. And your recruiter will thank you for submitting a resume like that. If you’re trying to get a role where being highly organized and detail-oriented is necessary, e.g., writing an admin assistant resume, know that this free resume template is for you. Check out Google Docs resume templates here.

Don’t know what ATS (Applicant Tracking Software) is? Read our article: ATS Resume: Template & Compliant, ATS Friendly Tips

Free Professional Resume Template by Canva

This single-column free resume template will work perfectly for first job candidates wishing to present themselves in the best light possible—despite having little to no experience to put on their resumes. This layout helps fill the entire space on a one-page resume, making the document look packed with info. Get it here.

Again, Canva offers some 2.6K free professional resume layouts (see here), but the same strings are attached as with their simple designs I described above.

Free Professional Resume Template by Hloom

Oomph. The dark red on this free resume template gives all the good chills and will help catch your recruiter's attention. You’d better write an impressive career summary or resume objective as this resume section stands out here thanks to the horizontal lines. And it’s the very first thing your hiring manager and recruiters will take a look at.

Click here, and you'll see 30 other free professional templates from Hloom to have more alternatives!

Free Professional Resume Template by ResumGO

The black and white have never looked so unique. This free resume template is clean and sharp, without any frills that could mess with the perfect resume structure. The most cohesive free resume template you’ll see here. Get it here.

In our list of the 14 best resume templates, you will find more of such professional designs.

Modern Resume Templates Free to Download

The 21st-century labor market calls for innovation. And if you feel like your role demands even a smidgen of innovative solutions, go for these up-to-date free resume templates:

Free Modern Resume Template by ResumeGenius

What draws attention on this free resume template is the prominent skills section. So make sure you correctly tailor your resume to the job description because the skills you put here need to match the keywords listed by the recruiter. The colored tiles will help them stand out even more. Get it here.

You can also check out these 72 modern templates to download.

Free Modern Resume Template by LiveCareer

Modern can also mean surprising. And LiveCareer does precisely that. It’s a challenge to catch the recruiter’s attention these days, so an unusual choice of color can do you a world of good. However, use this free resume template only if you apply to companies with a relatively laid-back culture. Get it here.

Free Modern Resume Template by Microsoft Word

This free modern resume template has a timeless design. Also, icons, skill rating embellishments, and a two-column layout make it suitable for candidates across all industries and levels of experience. Get it here.

Free Modern Resume Template by Google Docs

Are you a fan of magenta? This one-page resume template is another one to play with a splash of bright color. If you’re applying to a creative industry, this free resume template will be a good choice for you. The heading and typewriter font will single you out from the crowd without much effort. Check out Google Docs resume templates here.

Want more of those modern looking designs? While logged in your Google account, create a new document with a template here, and you'll find 5 similar templates to choose from.

Free Modern Resume Template by Canva

Canva does it again. Its free resume templates strike the right balance between a modern approach to resumes and the professionalism recruiters expect from candidates. And you can also play around with this free resume template to customize it to your preferences. Get it here.

Click here to browse some 3.6K free modern resume designs from Canva but bear in mind the general issue with their templates I described earlier.

Free Modern Resume Template by ResumGO

This free resume template is synonymous with modern. Its design points to experience and skills sections, which matter most in the race for a job these days. This resume catches the eye. But before you use it, just ensure the company you’re applying to will appreciate a funky design like this one. Get it here.

Looking for more? We’ve got you covered. Have a look at our selection of 18+ modern resume templates to download.

Creative Resume Templates Free to Download

Let your creative spirits loose and pick a free resume template from the below samples of creative resume templates:

Free Creative Resume Template by ResumeGenius

This one’s a goer! It has all the right sections in the right order. And on top of that it has got really nice typography. That free resume template is also ATS-compliant, so you don’t have to worry that unusual formatting will kill your chances of getting through any parsing software used by recruiters. Get it here.

Here you can browse 48 other free creative templates for resumes from ResumeGenius.

Free Creative Resume Template by Microsoft Word

An infographic resume template with tons of bold color and non-standard graphics. A good pick for candidates seeking a job in a non-corporate environment (think advertising, new media, or graphic design). Get it here.

Looking for more resume templates for MS Word? Check this out: 15+ Resume Templates for Microsoft Word [Including Free Downloads]

Free Creative Resume Template by Canva

The industry will know your name instantly once you submit your resume built on this design. This free resume template is delicate, and the subtleties in the background actually do the job. Only ensure you highlight all the right information, and you’ll be fine. Get it here.

Like with other styles, Canva also offers 2K free creative resume templates (browse them here) but they share the same issues as other Canva templates I mentioned before. So again—choose wisely. It's great to have a good-looking resume but you really need to be able to fit all the necessary content there. And this seems to be the biggest problem with all resume designs available on Canva.

Free Creative Resume Template by ResumGO

You said? Oh, with this speech bubble they’ll remember for sure. Your application won't go unnoticed with a free resume template like this. So buckle up and write a perfect resume that recruiters will notice straight away. Get it here.

That page has 36 more templates in the creative category, if the one above is not your favorite.

Not convinced by the templates above? Click on the following link to find 16 more creative resume templates to try. 

Free Resume Template to Copy

If you’re an individual who likes to work on things from scratch, here’s something special for you: a completely free resume template for you to copy and use. This sample includes all necessary sections, ideas for the additional parts, as well as all the crucial resume writing tips in square brackets.

Plus, 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 cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

As I promised to cater to your taste and give you an abundance of choice, see other articles we wrote for you with examples of other resume templates to choose from:

• Blank Resume Form
• LaTeX Resume Template
• High School Student Resume Template
• Student Resume Template
• OpenOffice / LibreOffice Resume Templates
• Cool & Unique Resume Templates
• Visual Resume Templates
• Minimalist & Clean Resume Template
• Resume Design Templates

And there you have it!

That’s my selection of the best free resume templates. 

Please tell me—

Did you like my gallery? Are there any other resources worth sharing? Which was your favorite free resume template to use?

Give a shout in the comments below. I’m always happy to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions about Free Resume Templates for 2022

Where can I get resume templates for free?

You can easily download free resume templates from Google Docs or make a resume in Microsoft Word using their templates. But! Are they good for your resume? Text editors are clunky and not always reliable, and what you’re risking here is your chance of landing your first job or promotion. And then there’s the inevitable frustration that comes with formatting your resume. Grrr…

Turn worry-free (but job-full) with one of Zety’s pre-formatted resume templates. And while you’re at it, let the resume builder wizard guide you through the entire process and provide you with ready-made content from Certified Professional Resume Writers!

What is the best free template for a resume?

A free resume template with a “the best” badge helps you fit your entire (yet still relevant) professional accomplishments on one page. For entry-level candidates, it does the same with academic achievements. The best template for a resume also orders your qualifications in a reverse-chronological format so that the most recent ones are in a prominent spot. Plus, it never forgets about the additional sections to impress even more.

The best free resume templates are also properly formatted. Matched with a cover letter, they give away a tiny bit of your personality, all while featuring a modern resume design that’s suitable for your industry.

Why should I use a free resume template?

Uhm, why shouldn’t you?

First, you get to receive far more offers than you would otherwise. This is simply because well-formatted templates are ATS-friendly, which ensures your resume will actually land on recruiters’ desks rather than getting rejected by recruitment software. Secondly, recruiters do like organized things, and resume templates are perfectly organized. Last but not least, you simply get to spend more of your time on what you really enjoy doing, rather than struggling with an unwieldy word processor.

How to write a simple resume using a free resume template?

1. Download a free resume template in the required format—PDF or Word.
2. Complete the heading with your contact information.
3. Start filling out the employment section with your professional achievements.
4. Move on to the education section, listing the highest degree you earned.
5. Make a list of skills tailored to the job description.
6. Add other sections, such as certifications, awards, or volunteering experience.
7. Finally, write the resume summary or career objective.

With the Zety builder, you’ll only need to drag and drop the content on your resume. That’s how simple writing a resume can be.

Is there a single best format in which to download a free resume template?

So, Word or PDF resume template—which is better? 

The answer is the PDF file format. This is because you can be sure your content will stay exactly as you saved it. Word files are risky because they can behave differently on various devices: your resume may well look good on your laptop, but the formatting can go completely awry when it’s opened on the recruiter’s computer. However, always pay attention to what recruiters say in the job description. You want to send precisely the resume file format that they request.

You’d be happy to know you can download Zety's free resume templates in both formats! So no matter which one your future employer needs, you’ll deliver.

Does Microsoft Word have free resume templates?

Yes.

But you know how a text editor can be—moving the text and objects exactly where you don’t want them. Plus, you’ll have to write everything from scratch without a single prompt from a professional resume writer. And, you’ll need to figure out how to format the resume yourself. 

Psst. 

The Zety builder takes care of all that.