resume sample basic format

Free Basic & Simple Resume Template Downloads + Tips

A simple resume template is a great option when applying for any role. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or have no work experience, our simple resume templates will easily organize your resume. If you’re looking to quickly create a basic resume, save time and effort with these templates.

As seen in: * Foot Note

Premium simple resume templates

Invest in your resume with a premium resume template . Review our basic resume template examples below for inspiration! If making a resume seems daunting, we can help you quickly build a resume that stands out.  Use our resume builder to choose a template, click to add content, and download in the format you need. It’s that easy.

Medical Assistant

This is the perfect basic resume for a no-nonsense professional. This simple resume example is well-organized and showcases your efficiency and attention to detail.

Business Analyst

With its prominent header and elegant fonts, this simple resume template conveys style and class while maintaining a readable layout.

Food and Beverage Manager

A basic resume template doesn’t have to mean a boring resume. Bold lines, italicized headers and strong fonts give this design a fresh look.

This polished layout offers a simple resume format where you can highlight your qualifications with class.

Retail Sales Associate

This basic resume template uses dividing lines between each section to give it an edge without compromising its simplicity.

Procurement Manager

This basic resume example stands out thanks to its simple, elegant monogram graphic in the header. This adds visual appeal without distracting from the applicant’s professionalism.

This simple resume template gives you space to perfectly organize your information in crisp bullet points — well-suited for jobs that rely on attention to detail.

This basic resume template arranges the header on the left for a unique look while maintaining a sharp, minimalist visual impact.

High School Teacher

An elegant header font and shaded headers make this simple resume template easy to navigate — a good fit for jobs that require the ability to lead and organize. The colorful header gives this basic resume a pop of personality.

Want more options? We offer more than 800 example resume templates for a variety of jobs in most industries.   

More resume templates to elevate your resume game

• Federal Resume Templates
• PDF Resume Templates
• Google Docs Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates
• Word Resume Templates
• Modern Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• Plain Text Resume Templates

Download free basic & simple resume templates

These basic & simple resume templates are free to download. Creating a resume that gets interviews has never been easier.

This free simple resume template is an excellent option for people of all career levels who want their information to be easily readable.

This straightforward and sleek design makes this a great simple resume format for virtually any job.

A bright header bar gives this free simple resume template a splash of style, while the section headings are arranged on the left for quick navigation.

Communicate your skills and qualifications with this basic resume template, which keeps things streamlined and simple with its dot graphics.

Make a statement with this free basic resume template, which uses snappy fonts and color combinations to catch the eye.

Heading colors for this free simple resume template are customizable, giving you flexibility on presentation. Judicious spacing between sections results in a neat, uncluttered look.

Check out our 5-Star Reviews

Basic resume templates do’s and don’ts.

Writing a resume is easier than you think, but with a good grasp of the do’s and don’ts of resume writing, it’s even easier. As you get to work on your simple resume, here are a few tips to keep in mind!

• Use a basic resume template for a straightforward, professional look. A simple resume template is a great way to organize your hard and soft skills, work history and education, rather than potentially confusing employers with an intricate resume design. It’s also a breeze to add details and customize your resume.
• Decide what format is best for you before writing your resume. Once you’ve chosen the perfect simple resume template, your next job is choosing a resume format . This will come down to your experience. If you have 10 or more years in the same industry use a chronological format , which emphasizes your work history. If you lack experience, a functional format will highlight your job-ready skills. And if you’re in-between, with three to nine years of work experience, use a combination format that features relevant skills and work experiences. All three formats work well with a basic resume template which allows your important qualifications to be the star of the show.
• Focus on tangible achievements. Did you exceed retail sales goals by an average of 12%? Did you manage a team of eight accountants successfully during tax season? Numbers will help your work accomplishments shine and give recruiters a better understanding of your capabilities and work ethic.

DONT’S

• Use a simple resume template for creative roles. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a field such as music or design and want to portray an innovative approach, consider a creative resume template with a visually striking design.
• Hold back from adding additional sections if needed. Do you have certifications or special training that relate to the job? Have you learned professional skills that make you a great candidate? You can always add more sections (such as “Professional Training” or “Certifications”) using our Resume Builder to update your basic resume template.
• Don’t forget to review your resume before you send it in. No matter how good your simple resume template looks, misspellings and grammatical errors can turn off employers. Use our builder’s spell-checking tools and review your document thoroughly before downloading and sending it in. You should also make sure your resume can pass applicant tracking system (ATS) scans following these tips.

Simple resume templates FAQ

How to write a simple basic resume.

To write the best possible simple resume, start with a resume summary or a resume objective that describes your career history and professional goals. Next, include your work history in reverse-chronological order. Use action words to give your work experience and skills section as much impact as possible.

Be sure to customize your resume for the position so that your merits as a candidate can really shine! Take a look at some basic resume samples, templates and examples for inspiration.

Learning how to write a resume may seem daunting, but with the help of our resume examples, you can easily build a simple resume that suits your desired position. A great resume consists of a well-organized summary of your work experience , skills , qualifications and goals. When all these sections work together in harmony, you’re that much closer to landing the interview !

Do I need a cover letter for a simple resume?

After all that resume writing, writing a cover letter might seem like too much extra work, but don’t miss out on this opportunity. A strong cover letter is a must. Check out our cover letter templates and examples to learn how to write a cover letter that maximizes your chances of success. With the right tools in your belt, you can easily write a cover letter that communicates all the reasons why you are the right choice for the job!

Do employers like simple resumes?

Employers like resumes that are easy to read. A simple resume displays the important information so that employers can easily understand it. For creative careers, more visually complex resumes may perform better, but for most roles, you can’t go wrong with simple resume templates. Basic resumes outline the important information without distracting from your qualifications.

How far back should a basic resume go?

Typically, a resume is expected to go back as far as 10 years. Include your most relevant experience and choose a basic resume template with the right format for your work experience and career goals. 

A basic resume template works well with all three standard resume formats:

• For applicants with up to 10 years of experience and a consistent work history, the chronological resume format is a good fit. 
• Candidates with more experience or looking to climb the ladder might consider a simple resume template in the combination format, as it offers a nice balance of skills and experience. 
• Fledgling applicants and those who are changing careers would do well with the  functional resume format because it emphasizes skills.

Advantages of using our resume maker

Professional, customizable templates.

Stand out with My Perfect Resume’s eye-catching templates! Building an impressive resume has never been easier or faster.

Expertly Crafted Phrases

Don’t get stuck writing about your work experience. Create an impressive resume with our pre-written, industry-specific bullet points!

Popular Format Downloads

Need your resume in PDF, word, or an image file? You’re in control with multiple export and download options.

Optimize Your Resume

With resume score and resume check, we’ll rate the strength of your resume and guide you through actionable steps to make a resume that showcases your best professional self!

Customize Your Resume to The Job

Copy and paste a job description from any listing and get a job-specific resume match score. We’ll guide you through tailoring your resume for the job!

Up Your Application Game

With Smart Apply, we’ll help you find an opportunity, customize your resume, create a matching cover letter, and download your documents. We’ll even send you to the web page where you can apply!

Other resources

What Are Resume Keywords and How Can They Help You?

By Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW

February 12, 2024

How to List References on a Resume (+Examples)

By Kellie Hanna, CPRW

November 27, 2023

How to Write the Perfect Resume Follow-Up Letter

By Nilda Melissa Diaz, CPRW

September 02, 2022

How to Make a Resume With No Experience (+Examples + Tips)

November 15, 2023

6 Resume Trends That You Should Follow in 2023

March 22, 2024

What Your Resume Design Should Look Like

February 08, 2024

Just three easy steps

• Select a template from our library of professional designs
• Build your resume with our industry-specific bullet points
• Download your resume and send!

Download your free resume template!

Please fill in the required fileds with *

I have read and agree to MyPerfectResume's privacy policy and Terms and Conditions

Congratulations!

You've taken a big leap forward in your job search by choosing a resume template from MyPerfectResume.

Advertisement

‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

Simple Resume Writing Guide

Get to grips with the simple resume format and design an effective resume from simple templates

For some, Resume writing  can be a complex task that takes them out of their confort zone. Perhaps you have worked before but you were lucky enough not to need to present a resume initially or maybe you’re just getting started in the working world and it’s your first time creating one.

Do not worry! The following guide on  how to write a simple resume  will give you everthing you need to know to make sure you produce a resume that will get you noticed by a prospective employer.

To start off, a simple resumes need to be  clean and professional in terms of the design, the formatting, and the content . Usually, simple resumes are used to get straight to the point,  displaying the basic information a hiring manager needs to know about the candidate without any  extra fuss that may come with a more creative resume  or extended,  professional resume  for executives.

Due to it’s simplicity, this type of resume suits someone with limited experience, such as students, recent grads looking for an  entry-level  position or those searching for part-time work, who need less space for their accomplishments. There are many  simple resume templates  available to help jobseekers write a resume that stands out and impresses for their job application.

Sometimes known as a  traditional resume  or a non-creative option,  simple resumes  are often elegant but minimalist in the sense that they do not add extra flourishes that don’t relate directly to the candidate’s profile and the vacancy on offer. There is no need for graphics or fancy color because the applicant wants to  portray only their information in a plain and concise manner .

With this understanding of  what a simple resume is , it is time to look at how to create a simple resume through some standard advice for what to include in order to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

Although the idea of  simple or basic resumes  may bring to mind the notion of a less embellished resume, this does not mean that it does not require planning, investigation, and effort to ensure that the resume attracts attention from the hiring manager.

Check out the following  advice for writing a simple job resume  in order to offer your best possible application:

• To begin a simple resume, candidates should do a little research into their own professional background, listing their main work experience, education and qualifications as well as any outstanding achievements and relevant skills that could be beneficial to a job application. With this information organized, jobseekers can start to form a  first draft basic resume .
• After the initial stage of investigation to establish the information that will be used to  create an effective resume to self-advertise  each candidate’s profile, it is essential to decide on  how to structure a simple resume . More advice for this can be found below in the section on the simple resume format.
• Following this, candidates should take each  simple resume section  in turn and carefully  select the relevant material  that will be displayed in each part. The standard main areas to consider are education and training, work experience, skills and a principle simple  resume objective  section that gives a  short but to-the-point introduction  of the candidate and how they can benefit the position or company they’re applying to. Each area should describe the most relevant and recent experience, whether in work or academia with a  description of the principal achievements  and responsibilities undertaken.
• It is crucial for simple resume candidates to ensure they research and present  relevant keywords in the different resume sections , especially in the  core competencies  or skills and job history components. These keywords can be taken from the job vacancy description, the company website or alternatively from similar candidate profiles. They should  refer to the qualifications and technical or personal abilities required  or desired for the ideal applicant.
• Simple resumes should adapt to each vacancy individually . This means jobseekers cannot create one basic resume to send to various job openings. Candidates must tailor each resume, as they would their simple resume  cover letter , to the position, company or sector they’re applying to.
• Additional resume sections  that simple resumes could include depend entirely on the category of jobseeker and their professional experience. For example, if a candidate has lots of job training,  certificates  or qualifications, these can be added within another section or as their own part, dedicated specifically to these details as long as they are relevant to the vacancy.

An  online simple resume builder  is a great tool for jobseekers – especially first-time jobseekers – to create a winning resume that encompasses all the information necessary to capture the attention of a potential employer. With  ResumeCoach  you can make sure that your resume might be  simple but effective and error-free .

Simple resumes for graduates

Each year the working population is growing exponentially as more and more people graduate college and go on to look for a professional career. This means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a job based solely on your academic accreditations.  Recent grads  are having to use new methods to  make their resumes stand out  more than in the past and to add other information that helps convince hiring managers to meet for a job interview.

Whether it is a  first job resume  or as a  fresh graduate , you’ve had previous work experience, simple resumes are a good springboard to launch yourself into the working world. Beginning with a  simple resume objective , graduates can position themselves in the eye of a recruiter by using the right action words and highlighting relevant achievements.

The most important thing to remember is that there will be a large number of jobseekers who will be equally or more qualified, in terms of training. Therefore,  freshman jobseekers should always adapt their simple resume  by adding sections that relate to their specific individual professional profile such as  honors and awards  or  internships .

These additional sections can help provide evidence that you can adapt your training and education to the workplace.  80% of employers  want to see this capacity on your resume according to  research from Ladders , so having this information is crucial

An additional element that is useful for  recent graduate resumes  is social media. This allows the hiring manager to access a site with a more extensive and detailed candidate profile. The optimal way to do this is to  add a link to your LinkedIn profile  or a professional blog where fresh graduates can display more of their extra-curricular activities and even in some cases, where appropriate,  personal interests .

Simple resumes for teenagers

Getting a  first job or part-time work  to accompany your studies as a teenager is the best start you can give your career from the very beginning. As soon as you get the chance to start volunteering or working or even taking part in events, etc. you can  build a simple resume that will outshine many of your peers .

Although you may at first find yourself lacking in paid work experience, there are many other ways of  making your professional qualities stand out in a simple resume for a teenager . It is advisable for teenage jobseekers to start with a  simple resume objective  that briefly details the key points of their profile in order to catch a prospective employer’s attention.

Throughout your years at school, you will most likely be involved in different associations, clubs,  volunteering activities  and various projects that help you to develop different skills and give you experience working independently, in a team, as a leader, with a range of people from assorted backgrounds, ages, etc.  These experiences are very valuable to student resumes  because they offer potential employers an insight into the character of each jobseeker including their interests, passions, and abilities.

Given that the  principal aspect of simple resumes for teenagers is the education section , it is most common to begin a  student resume  with this information as standard and add other sections as corresponds to the vacancy you’re applying to and to your other experience.

Simple resume format

Working within the parameters of  resume formatting , there are several basic resume formats candidates can choose from to create a  simple resume design.  These include all pertinent information for their application, whilst maintaining a simple layout.

There are three widely recognized resume formats that can be used to  create a winning simple resume  for any purpose.

• Chronological resume:  The emphasis of the reverse-chronological resume format falls generally on the work experience section which displays the job history of the applicant in reverse chronological order.
• Functional or skills-based resume:  The focus of the functional resume format is based on the skills of each applicant and explains the principle abilities with examples of accomplishments in different roles.
• Combination resume:  The combination resume format is based on a mix of the two previous resume types, allowing the candidate to highlight both work experience and skills.

Whichever of the three styles a candidate decides to use, it should not affect the  simple resume layout  employed for their individual resume.

The following are some  tips on how to maintain a clear and constant format for simple resumes :

• Simple resumes should not exceed two A4 page. You’re  17% more likely to get rejected  by adding a 3rd page.
• Make sure to use easy-to-read fonts and do not use more than 2 fonts throughout.
• You can use bold, italics, underlining and different sizing to show variations in text, such as the name of an employer, the job title, dates and then the description. But, remember to always use the same format for each job/training course, etc.
• Do not use fonts over size 12 font or below size 10 for the main text. For titles, use a size that is appropriate and suits the formatting well, such as 24.

Readability is key  for a hiring manager to seek out the relevant information as quickly as possible to decide whether your simple resume makes it to the shortlist. Check out more tips on how to write your resume on our  Blog .

The simpler, the better.

When it comes to compiling your perfect job application, don’t forget to include a  simple resume cover letter  too which can give further details on any professional or academic achievements and even be used to explain any discrepancies in a candidate’s work history if appropriate.

Simple resume examples

For some jobseekers, the best way to go about applying for a job is by using a  simple resume template  which shows examples of how to write, format and finish a professional yet basic resume.

Simple resume examples  allow candidates to get ideas for what to include and how to best present their details in a straightforward manner that will give the hiring manager exactly what they want, without having to search through reams of text. A  good simple resume sample  will give jobseekers a visual to see how it’s possible to make themselves stand out without creating a flashy, design led resume, through creating a standard, yet professional layout.

Recent grad resume samples  are also useful for many first-time jobseekers who are just getting started with their career and have yet to experience the recruiting jungle. By employing  clear resume sections that highlight the most relevant and significant information  to the individual job post and candidate profile, simple resumes allow jobseekers to deliver their application without any fuss.

Another  advantage of simple resume examples  is that they can be used as a springboard for all kinds of jobseekers to make a more elaborate, creative resume or to  adapt as necessary for each individual . Simple resume templates are available on  ResumeCoach’s online resume maker , which allow jobseekers to personalize with their professional information as they require.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

You control your data

We and our partners use cookies to provide you with our services and, depending on your settings, gather analytics and marketing data. Find more information on our Cookie Policy . Tap "Settings” to set preferences. To accept all cookies, click “Accept”.

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

Choose type of cookies to accept

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

These cookies are essential for the Site's performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here .

This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To learn more visit our Privacy Policy

• Resume Help
• Top Resume Format: Templates, Examples & Guide

Top Resume Format: Templates, Examples & Guide

Our customers have been hired by:

There are three common resume formats: reverse-chronological,  functional, and combination. Even though one is better than the others, the best one for you depends on your individual experience and the specific role you're applying for.

In this guide, I'll explain the differences between each format to help you determine which suits your needs best. I'll provide examples of each format and discuss the pros and cons, guiding you toward an informed decision 

Want to create a resume in the most common resume format?  Our resume builder can do that just in minutes.  Just pick a resume template you like best  and follow the tips.

Create your resume now

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

What Is the Best Resume Format?

As of 2024, the reverse-chronological format is the most favored . This format is not only the most common but also highly effective for the majority of job seekers. It's a preferred choice for recruiters, making it a reliable option for you.

However, a lot depends on your professional history. And that’s because you choose a resume format that works best for you as a job seeker. It’s important to tailor your resume to the job offer , but better stick to one resume format for all applications.

Still, trying to figure out which format is for you? Let me show you an easy way to find out:

Simple Resume Format Comparison

Now, let me explain each format in details.

There is another one. It's not really a format but an exciting way to show your skills and experience. Read more: Infographic Resume Templates

What Are the Three Main Resume Formats?

There are three main resume formats:

• Reverse-chronological resume format , which focuses on your work experience. 
• Functional resume format , which focuses on your skills.
• Combination resume format , which focuses on both your experience and skills.

While the reverse-chronological format is, in my opinion, the best format for a resume (also preferred by most recruiters!), you can pick the type of resume that fits your career history most. But how to choose the resume format that’s best for you? First, let’s learn more about each one of them.

1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

The reverse-chronological resume is the most popular resume format. Using it, you list your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent one. You continue to list your positions and achievements going backward, placing them in reverse chronological order. 

This resume format is perfect for candidates with several years of professional experience who have progressed steadily and preferably in one industry. It’s also great for those who don’t have any significant gap in their employment.

Reverse-Chronological Resume Format Example

Here’s an example of a chronological resume created in our online resume builder. 

This resume format focuses on your work experience. However, it’s not the only section you need to remember about.

Let’s find out how to structure a reverse-chronological resume:

• Resume Header
• Resume Profile ( Resume Summary or Career Objective )
• Work Experience
• Additional Information

These 6 sections form a complete document that will make recruiters’ jobs easier. They’re familiar with this resume layout , which helps them spot all relevant information within 7.4 seconds of looking at a resume . On the other hand, you need to put some extra effort into making your resume stand out from the other candidates.

Let’s see some simple resume tips to help you get noticed and impress recruiters even more:  

• List your relevant achievements (not only responsibilities) in your work experience section . That way, you'll show your career progress and your uniqueness.
• Follow the reverse chronological order in your education section as well. List only your highest level of schooling if you have a few years of relevant work experience.
• Highlight your key skills . But don’t just list them. Make them mirror your quantifiable work achievements and adapt them to the job ad.
• Include some additional sections that might be useful for proving your skills. Give them context to make your recruiter realize how much value you’ll bring to the company.
• Write your resume profile last, but place it on the top of your document. Select 2–3 accomplishments and skills from your resume that are most relevant to the job ad. 

Time for a quick summary.

Reverse-Chronological Resume Format Pros & Cons

Let’s move on to our second resume format.

2. Functional Resume Format

The functional resume format , also called a skill-based resume , showcases transferable skills over work history. Its purpose is to disguise having little experience. With this format, you list your relevant skills, emphasizing how you’ve practically used them in the past.

This structure will work well for creative jobs where a portfolio matters most, military transitioners, and candidates who don't want to seem overqualified.

Functional Resume Format Example

Let’s look at a functional resume sample created in our online resume builder. 

The skills summary is the most important section of this resume format. But you still need more than that to impress your recruiter.

Let’s look at how to structure a functional resume:

• Resume Objective
• Skills Summary
• Additional Skills

As you can see, these sections differ from those in the reverse-chronological resume format. 

The listed transferable skills are divided into subcategories and explained further. That gives recruiters an understanding of how those skills can be helpful for this job opening.

Take a look at these tips to improve your functional resume:  

• Write a career objective explaining your professional goals. Include your skills and qualifications and add a link to your online portfolio, a blog, or a personal website.
• Pick 4 to 5  hard and soft skills relevant to the job you’re after. Give examples of when and how you applied them. Use either bullet points or go for plain paragraphs.
• List additional skills . They can include your language skills , software you’re proficient in, tools you’re familiar with, etc.
• Briefly list your work experience . Add job titles, dates, and name locations of the companies you’ve worked with.
• Add an education section . Your alma mater name and date of your graduation should be enough; however, if you have some relevant coursework , include it as well.

Let’s see some advantages and disadvantages of choosing this resume format for a job you’re trying to land.

Functional Resume Format Pros & Cons

It’s time to see what our last resume format has to offer.

3. Combination Resume Format

The combination resume format  combines elements of a chronological resume and a skills-based resume. It places equal emphasis both on your skills and work experience. The skills summary section lists relevant skills, while the experience section validates them with examples of past accomplishments. 

This resume format is great for seasoned professionals targeting a specific position, career-changers, and candidates with employment gaps.

Combination Resume Format Example

Below, you’ll see an excellent example of a combination resume created in our resume builder.  

As you can see, the two main resume sections in the combination format correspond with each other. And what about other parts of your resume ?

Let’s explore how to structure a combination resume:

One section is missing in the combination format—it’s a resume profile. Describing your skills and experience will give your recruiter enough information while keeping your document readable and brief.

• Build the skill summary section with both your hard skills and your soft skills . Add up to 4 bullet points describing your professional achievements that prove those skills.
• Make your work experience section correspond with the skills summary. Build this section the same way you’d do in a chronological resume. 
• List additional skills, just like in a functional resume format.
• Add your education section and list your relevant coursework or other academic achievements, such as cum laude   or Phi Beta Kappa .

It’s time for a quick recap of what’s great and what’s wrong with the combination resume format.

Combination Resume Format Pros & Cons

The same rules regarding a resume header apply to all three of these formats: 

• Make it stand out most because you don’t want your recruiter to miss it. 
• Include your name, job title , and contact information because you want your recruiter to contact you quickly. 
• Add a link to your LinkedIn profile . Your recruiters will surely check your online presence , so make it easier for them.

Now that you’ve learned about all 3 resume formats let’s see some resume formatting tips that you should follow. 

If you’re writing a resume that will be read in the USA, you should follow these additional rules: US Resume Format (American Style Resume Template)

How to Format Your Resume

No matter which resume format you've chosen or whether you’re writing a CV or a resume , make sure it looks professional, readable, and consistent. Here are a few simple resume tips for formatting your document. All 12 of them apply to all 3 resume formats. Follow them if you want to end up with a job-winning, perfect resume .

Resume Formatting Tips

• Set one-inch margins on all four sides.
• Pick an 11 or 12-point resume font and stick to it.
• Create a proper resume header format for your contact information.
• Divide your resume into legible resume sections.
• Use bullet points for each entry to make your document readable.
• Be consistent with your date format .
• Use single or 1.15 line spacing.
• Add an extra space before and after each section heading.
• Aim at having a one-page resume . If you have a lot of experience, a two-page resume is also a good idea. Anything above that is different from the right resume length . 
• Don’t use photos on your resume unless the job description specifically asks for them.
• Decide on a good name for your resume file . Your name, job title, and the word “resume” should do the trick.
• Send a PDF resume file unless stated otherwise in the job description.

Now, you know which resume format to choose and how to format a resume. It's time to select a perfect template.

Pro-tip: As many as 7 out of 10 large companies use the Applicant Tracking System resume checker. Choosing a good resume template and a suitable resume format is only your first step in creating an ATS-friendly resume . Using specific resume keywords , selecting proper resume fonts, and labelling resume sections with headings will help you pass that test.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Resume Templates in Different Formats

Get started with professional resume templates directly from our builder. All these templates are great for all resume formats, they're ATS-friendly, and you can freely adjust them to your needs. 

1.  Reverse-Chronological Resume Template

This neat and well-organized reverse chronological resume template is one of the all-time favorites among our users despite being a super simple resume format. It has a very universal design with lots of white space, which allows you to highlight your experience and achievements. It will work well for most candidates.

2. Functional Resume Template

With a strong focus on skills and experience, this combination resume template enables you to showcase your abilities, even if you don't have an extensive work history to present.

3. Combination Resume Template

This template demonstrates how a combination resume melds the best features of a chronological resume and a skills-based resume. It's an excellent choice for seasoned professionals, career-changers, or those with employment gaps seeking to reenter the job market.

That’s all! You’ve learned everything about resume formats, know all three types, and can decide which is the best for you. Let’s do a quick recap and explore the FAQ section below!

Now that you know all there is to know about a resume format, it’s time to learn how to format a cover letter. It’s a document you can’t skip to get invited for a job interview. Find out how to ace it: Cover Letter Format

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:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

There are certain things I need to remind you of before you create your job-winning document with a perfect resume format.

• There are three main resume formats : reverse-chronological, functional, and combination. 
• Before you choose one of resume formats, think about your professional experience and the position you're after.
• All these have pros and cons and are all created for a specific type of job seeker.
• Reverse-chronological resume format is the best resume format for 2024. It’s the most commonly used among job seekers today. It’s also the easiest to scan for the recruiters.
• Apply the standard resume formatting rules : one-inch margins, elegant font, 11–12pt font size, single line spacing, and additional space before and after headings.
• Divide your resume into proper sections such as resume header, summary, work experience, education, skills, and extra sections.
• Save space using bullet points in your work experience and education sections.
• Make sure always to write an ATS-friendly resume to boost its chances of landing in your recruiter’s hands. Choosing a correct resume template from a professional resume builder will help you achieve it.
• Pick the proper resume format for your individual situation.

All check? Start working with the selected resume format that will impress entire HR departments and get you hired ASAP! You got this! Do you have any questions about choosing the best resume format for your position? Is there anything else you’d like to know about formatting a resume? Give me a shout in the comments. Let’s chat!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Format

What is the best resume format for 2024.

The reverse-chronological resume format is the best resume format. Listing your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order, i.e., starting with the most recent position and working backward through previous jobs or degrees, works for both candidates and recruiters. There are several reasons why it’s the best job resume format to use:

• Recruiters are familiar with it and find it easy to skim;
• It enables you to place your best, most relevant experience and professional accomplishments near the top of the page, where the reader is likely to look first;
• It’s the most ATS-friendly resume format, meaning that recruitment software has no trouble processing it.

All of Zety’s resume templates are available in the reverse-chronological format: you just need to fill in the blanks, and you could be ready to apply for your dream job in minutes!

What are the three resume formats?

There are three types of resume formats to choose from:

• Reverse-chronological resume format: considered the standard resume format, it focuses on work experience and/or education, highlighting your accomplishments.
• Functional resume format : also known as a skills-based resume , this professional resume format focuses on your skills and how you acquired them, providing only basic information about your work history. Although it can help to conceal gaps in employment , most recruiters aren’t very familiar with it, so it carries a risk of rejection. Plus, it’s not always ATS-friendly.
• Combination resume format : a hybrid of the other two formats, it gives equal attention to your key skills and work history. However, it suffers from the same issues as the functional format: both recruiters and ATS software may have a problem with it.

The reverse-chronological format is the best choice for most candidates: go with a functional or combination resume only if you’re sure a non-standard format will give you an advantage.

Is there a separate student resume format?

No. A student resume is similar to a traditional resume. They are not very different from entry-level resumes and resumes with no work experience . 

Most student resumes follow the standard reverse-chronological format, assuming you’re applying for a job. However, you do need to use a different format if you’re applying for a job in academia or writing a graduate school resume . In those cases, go with an academic CV rather than a resume.

Is the resume format the same as the resume template? 

No. The term resume format usually refers to the layout of a resume . It’s, for example, the type and order of information featured on the resume and the way it’s organized on the page, including document settings such as margins and line spacing. 

Meanwhile, a resume template is a blank document you can fill with your information—it’s much quicker than building your resume from scratch. If you’re interested, check out our list of free resume templates .

Can I get creative, or is a simple resume format always better? 

Regarding resume formatting, it’s usually best not to get too creative and keep it simple. You want your document to be readable both to recruiters and to ATS software, so sticking to basic resume templates is advisable for most candidates. 

However, you may want to opt for a more complex resume design if you’re writing an artist resume or otherwise applying for a job in a creative field. Creative resume templates typically follow the standard format but feature bolder colors and graphic elements.

What does an ATS-friendly resume format mean? 

ATS-friendly resume format organizes information into clear sections and features key information as plain text—most ATS software can’t read text within images, for example. 

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System(s)—software used by recruiters to sort incoming resumes. ATS software scans applications for specific resume keywords , such as key skills required for the role, rejecting irrelevant applications. 

To check whether ATS can read your resume, copy its contents into Notepad. If your information is still there and looks more or less organized, ATS should be able to make sense of your document. 

Which file format should I use for my resume? 

Unless the job ad specifies a different format, submit your resume as a PDF . This file format keeps formatting intact and can be opened on any device, even a smartphone or tablet. Remember to give your resume file a professional name with no spaces, i.e., John-Smith-Waiter-Resume.pdf.

Don't miss out on exclusive stories that will supercharge your career!

Get a weekly dose of inspiration delivered to your inbox

Similar articles

Can a Resume Be 2 Pages? Tips for 2024

Can my resume be 2 pages? Most applicants don't need a two-page resume, but a second page is the right move for some. When is a second page OK, and when will it help you get more interviews? Read our guide and learn two-page resume formatting tips that will impress the employer.

Federal Resume: Templates, Example, & What to Include

Yes, you can write a federal resume all by yourself! This guide will tell you how to format your federal resume template and what to include, so you can apply for government jobs.

Resume Structure & How to Organize a Resume

The way you structure your resume could mean the difference between landing an interview and rejection. But do you really know how to organize your resume in the most effective way?

Sample Resume Format For Freshers

• April 19, 2024
• Uncategorized

Sample Resume Format For Freshers:-

Below is a basic resume template suitable for both tech and non-tech freshers. Remember to customize it with your personal information, skills, and experiences.

— [Your Full Name] – Address: [Your Address] – Phone: [Your Phone Number] – Email: [Your Email Address] – LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn Profile] – GitHub: [Your GitHub Profile] (For tech students) Objective A motivated [Your Major/Field] graduate seeking a [Type of Position] role at [Company Name], where I can apply my [specific skills or knowledge] to contribute to [Company’s Goal or Project]. Education [Degree]  – [University Name], [City, State] – Graduation Date: [Month, Year] – Relevant Coursework: [Course Name], [Course Name] [High School Diploma]  – [High School Name], [City, State] – Graduation Date: [Month, Year] Skills –  Technical Skills  (For tech students) – Programming Languages: [List] – Tools & Technologies: [List] – Operating Systems: [List]

–  Soft Skills  (For non-tech students) – Communication – Teamwork – Problem-solving – Time Management Projects  (For tech students) [Project Name] – Description: [Brief description of the project] – Technologies Used: [List technologies used] – Link/GitHub Repository: [Link to the project] Experience  (For non-tech students, you can include part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, etc.) [Job Title]  – [Company Name], [City, State] – Month Year – Month Year – Responsibilities: – [Responsibility 1] – [Responsibility 2] Extracurricular Activities – [Activity Name] – [Role/Position], [Organization Name] – [Activity Name] – [Role/Position], [Organization Name] Certifications  (Optional)

– [Certification Name] – [Issuing Organization], [Year] Languages – [Language]: [Proficiency Level] References Available upon request.

Feel free to adjust the sections and content based on your background, experiences, and the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Good luck!

• Online Degree Explore Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees
• MasterTrack™ Earn credit towards a Master’s degree
• University Certificates Advance your career with graduate-level learning
• Top Courses
• Join for Free

Health Care Resume Skills: What to Include (+ Examples)

Find out which skills are important to include on your health care resume. Discover how and where to write health care resume skills and tips for developing your skills.

Listing critical health care skills on your resume can help distinguish you from your competition when applying for a health-related job. Employers can understand the tangible ways you've learned your skills through your education, work experience, and a list of skills on your resume (that they can follow up on during interviews).

What skills should you include on your resume to stand out? Find out how and where to include them, and use our helpful examples. We'll also share some tips on how you can further develop your skills to enhance your health care career.

What is a health care resume? 

A health care resume is a type of resume specific to professions in the health care field. Health care professions hold particular skills, education, experiences, and training that are different from occupations outside of health care.

Because most positions in the health care field require specific formal training, expect to include a separate section that lists skills specific to the position for which you’re applying. A health care resume may have an area that lists fellowships or clinical experiences that some medical professionals require. These elements are unique to health care and offer employers insight into your skills as a medical professional and how you have relied on these skills to advance your career.  

Jobs that require a health care resume 

If you’re applying for a position within the medical field, you will likely need to structure your resume to effectively highlight critical health care skills. The health care field is broad, with varying job titles and responsibilities. Here are a few of those fields: 

Allied health: Allied health is a field of health care focused on the delivery of health care, rather than clinical care. This includes supporting and diagnostic roles and specific skills will vary by job title. Technical skills for these positions usually require completing certificate programs or other training specific to the role.

Example jobs: Dental hygienists , medical transcriptionists , occupational therapists , sonographers , radiographers , medical assistants , pharmacy techs , home health aides , physical therapists , EMTs , speech-language pathologists  

Administration and management: Administration and management professionals in health care are typically planning, coordinating, and managing a medical facility. Some may specialize in a particular type, such as financial management or ambulatory services. Some managerial positions require leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while technical skills will vary depending on the facility, legal parameters, and more.

Example jobs: Administrative assistant, medical staff coordinator, community health director , health care administrator , quality assurance coordinator

Medical providers and nurses: Medical providers undergo extensive training. From a bachelor’s degree to residency, the average duration to become a medical provider is eleven years. During this time, doctors learn technical skills specific to their specialty but also critical personal skills and licenses necessary to the medical profession. 

Example jobs: Primary care physicians, dentists, anesthesiologists , nurses , home health aide , personal care aide

Read more: Is Health Care a Good Career Path? Outlook, Jobs, and More

Key skills to list on a health care resume

Health care is a vast field with many different facets. You can work in health care in many ways, from a supporting position as a medical billing specialist to a patient care provider as a nurse. The skills you’ll need to succeed in health care depend on your career track in the field of health care. 

Technical skills 

Health care professionals who work directly with patients in clinical roles will need different technical skills than professionals who work on the non-clinical side of health care; however, you’ll find overlap in the knowledge of HIPPA laws and basic medical terminology. 

 Clinical (direct patient care; providers, allied health) 

First aid/CPR 

Adhere to HIPAA

Check and monitor vital signs 

Assess a patient’s symptoms 

Diagnose conditions and provide appropriate treatment 

Administer medical treatments 

Interpret lab results 

Develop treatment plans as needed 

Advise patients on treatment options 

Non-clinical positions (supporting health care roles; administration, clerical)

Office skills 

Insurance billing 

Medical codes and terminology 

HIPAA compliance 

Scheduling software 

EMR software 

Data entry 

Record patient history

Personal skills 

Most health care professionals understand the importance of compassion and empathy when supporting or treating patients. 

Good bedside manner

Compassion and empathy 

Good communication 

Listening skills 

Problem-solving 

Critical thinking 

Non-clinical positions (supporting roles in health care; administration, clerical)

Detail oriented

Ability to multitask 

Works well as a team 

Good communicator 

Detail oriented 

Attention to detail 

How to include health care skills on your resume 

Your skills as a health care professional should be immediately evident on your resume and demonstrated in each work experience description. It should be clear to employers how you developed those skills over time with real-world examples.

1. Include skills relevant to the position. 

Employers should be able to quickly assess if your skills fit the job description or not. Tailor your skills to the job description by including specific skills referenced in the job description. This will also improve your chances of applicant tracking software (ATS) picking up your resume. Optimize your resume with these keywords and include only skills relevant to the job posting.

Take advantage of the cover letter 

Cover letters offer an excellent opportunity to explain precisely how your skills would benefit an employer more in-depth. Use the cover letter as your introduction, further unpacking the skills you hold and how you plan to rely on these skills.

How will your qualifications and skills as a health care professional add value to the employer?

Highlight professional experiences or point to achievements or accolades that illustrate how you’ve developed skills and gained professional success due to this skill set.  Be sure to connect your skills to a specific position or job title. 

2. Mention skills in your professional summary.  

Highlight critical skills right away in your resume summary. Use these two to three sentences to give employers insight into your qualifications for a position by highlighting key skills and credentials that make you a suitable applicant. Using adjectives to describe yourself is a great way to pull in your skills concisely. For example, you could begin with “Organized care coordinator with five years experience in….” 

3. Weave skills throughout your resume.

Your health care resume should have a section devoted to your skills as a professional in health care with brief examples. It’s also vital to integrate skills throughout your resume. For example, if you list in the skills section that you are flexible and adaptable, describe in your work history section how you used these skills successfully.

4. Be specific. 

Avoid vague and ambiguous adjectives that are hard to quantify when listing your skills. Instead of listing “good communicator” as a skill, think of a creative way to be more descriptive. Try, “skilled in patient-provider interactions" instead. Tying real-world experiences and examples to the skills highlighted on your health care resume is always helpful.

5. Choose the best format based on your qualifications.

You can format your health care resume in a few different ways. The format you choose depends on your level of experience and education. You can choose the functional format, ideal for entry-level positions; the chronological format, best for management or supervisory positions; and the combination format for mid-level positions. 

With functional formatting , you’re focusing on skills over work history. List skills summary first, just after your resume summary. The skills summary section notes how you have demonstrated proficiency in specific skills through various experiences beyond work history.

The chronological format lists your work history from most recent to least recent. This format is ideal for those with a lot of professional experience. It’s also the preferred formatting for most health care resumes. With this format, you will still have a separate list of your skills, education, and summary.

A combination format gives equal weight to work history and skills. As with the functional resume, have your skills section at the top of the page, just after the summary. List your work experience after the skills section or toward the bottom of the page. These resumes are ideal for health care professionals seeking a mid-level job title.

6. Use a professional layout. 

The layout is as important as the formatting. When creating a health care resume, choose a professional format. Enhance the readability by using headers, bullet points, and bold text where appropriate. As a general rule, lay out your health care resume with: 

12 point font

10-inch margins

Ample use of white space

Headers for each section 

Four to five bullet points per job title 

One page limit (two pages may be appropriate for 10+ years of experience)

Example of a health care resume

Health care resumes typically include a title, personal information, a resume summary, a skills summary, experience, education, and certifications section. You may also have additional sections such as accomplishments, accolades, awards, and publications. Here is a sample template of what to include on a health care resume:

Headline (name and professional title if you already have one) 

Contact information (phone, email, LinkedIn) 

Resume summary (two to three-sentence explanation of your career goals and objectives)

Education (university name and degree awarded in reverse-chronological order; also include residencies or fellowships, if applicable) 

Work experience (organization, job title, responsibilities, skills used, accolades, and so on listed in reverse-chronological order)

Skills ( list of both technical and workplace skills, with brief examples of how you have applied these skills)

You may change the order of these sections based on the format you choose and omit or add to these elements depending on your level of education and experience. 

Consider this example of a health care resume for a patient care coordinator position with five years of experience in her role: 

Jane E. Doe

Patient Care Coordinator 

Personal information 

Phone: 123-456-7890

Email [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janeedoe 

Dedicated patient care coordinator with five years of experience managing patient care, implementing and monitoring treatment plans, and evaluating patient progress. Assisted in the grant writing process to secure funding for Acme Medical Center through the Health Care Coordinators and Navigation Grant. CCCTM certified with a degree in Health Care Administration. Looking to improve patient outcomes by providing support and quality care to patients at ABC Hospital. 

Skills Summary 

Coordinate patient-care services to offer quality care 

Work as a team member to evaluate possible patient interventions

Give compassionate patient care for improved patient outcomes 

Communicate plan of care to family and caregivers of patients 

Accurately record patient history and documentation per HIPAA compliance 

Work History 

Patient Care Coordinator, ABC Medical Center. July 1 to present 

Develop patient treatment plans based on provider’s notes 

Manage patient care coordinators within the medical center 

Advise caregivers of patient progress 

Communicate patient outcomes to medical providers 

Assist other patient care coordinators in the development of treatment plans 

Patient Services Coordinator, Maple Street Hospital, January 2018 to July 2021

Advised patients on viable treatment plan options 

Communicated patient concerns and feedback to medical providers 

Explained treatment options to patients 

Evaluated results of treatment plans and communicated outcomes 

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 2010-2014

Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration 

Relevant coursework: principles of health care administration, health care marketing, health care human resources, and legal and ethical environment in health care 

Tips for developing key health care skills 

Need to build your skill set as a health care professional? You can find many ways to learn new skills or build upon existing skills in demand for the position you seek. Research the top skills for the job you’re applying for, and choose the best way to gain experience in those skills. Enroll in an online course, earn a certification, or apply for entry-level positions or volunteer opportunities. Developing your skill set can also help you meet your future career goals. 

Courses like Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Health Care offered by Northwestern University can help you learn critical skills to succeed in health care. You can list courses on your resume to demonstrate your breadth of abilities to employers.

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.