Top 21 Resume Templates to Elevate Your 2025 Job Search (Free & Effortless Downloads)

Getting a job is never straightforward, and landing your ideal position can be even more challenging. To stand out, you need one of the best resumes out there. But having a great resume is just the first step.

Most career advice blogs focus heavily on crafting an excellent resume. The common tips include tips on bullet points, essential sections, writing style, formatting, and basic templates. Yet, despite following this advice, you might still struggle to get noticed.

I faced my own hurdles early in my job hunt. It took numerous interviews before I finally secured my first entry-level digital marketing role years ago. That experience motivated me to explore the web and compile a list of the top resume template sites. My goal was to help you stand out and simplify at least one aspect of your search.

This guide will show you:

  • The top free resume templates available.
  • The best options for Microsoft Word users.
  • Great templates you can use via Google Docs.
  • Premium professional templates for purchase.
  • The easiest templates to download and print.

Let’s begin.

Note: This article contains some affiliate links, which may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, these are the best resume templates I’ve found after extensive online research. For details, read my privacy policy.

What Are the Top Resume Templates?

Choose a template that matches your industry and educational background. Customize the sample text with your credentials and download it immediately. This article highlights where to find the 21 best resume templates of 2020, compatible with Google Docs, MS Word, or PDF editors.

Here are my top recommendations for the 21 best resume templates.

1. Canva

Canva Resume Templates

Canva is a popular graphic design platform that allows users to customize a wide array of templates, including resumes. It offers a vast selection of professionally designed templates that can be easily tailored to showcase your strengths, helping you stand out among other applicants. With approximately 60,000 resume templates in its database, Canva accommodates various industries and styles, from image-rich designs for creative fields to colorful templates suited for marketing professionals.

This extensive variety makes Canva an excellent choice for almost anyone looking to craft a compelling resume. Whether you prefer traditional formats or more modern, eye-catching designs, Canva has options for all.

Best For

Thanks to its huge library, Canva provides templates suitable for diverse industries. For example, design-heavy templates work well for creatives, while vibrant or minimalist options match different professional personalities. This versatility is why Canva stands out as a top platform for resume templates.

Template Types

The site offers a wide range of template styles, including:

  • Professional
  • Modern
  • Simple
  • Infographic
  • Minimalist
  • Corporate
  • Creative
  • Photo-based
  • Colorful
  • Acting
  • Academic
  • Graphic Design
  • College
  • High School
  • Scholarship

Pricing Plans

The free version of Canva offers a simple drag-and-drop editor with limited features, but for full access, Canva Pro is available at $9.95 per month when billed annually or $12.95 if billed monthly. With the Pro plan, you gain access to over 60,000 resume templates and more than 4 million free images and graphics, greatly expanding your customization options.

Start creating your standout resume today with Canva Pro.

2. Resume.io

Resume.io Templates

Resume.io stands out as one of the top resume-building platforms. They claim to provide proven, field-tested resume templates that have a high chance—around 80 percent—of getting noticed by employers. Users also benefit from various customization options that help craft a resume tailored to their experience. The platform boasts a collection of over 12 different resume templates, making it versatile for users at different stages of their careers.

BEST FOR:

Their templates are especially ideal for individuals creating their first resume or those unsure how to build a high-quality one from scratch. Resume.io also offers several tools suited to recent graduates aiming to stand out in job applications.

TYPES OF TEMPLATES:

  • Professional Resume Templates
  • Creative Resume Templates
  • Modern Resume Templates
  • Simple Resume Templates

PRICING PLANS:

The platform provides a 7-day trial for just $2.95. After the trial, you can choose to subscribe monthly for $24.95 or opt for a 6-month plan at $44.95, or an annual plan at $74.95.

You can create your resume on Resume.io for only $2.95 during the trial period.

3. Visme


Visme Resume Templates

If you seek infographic resumes and presentation materials, Visme is an excellent choice. It helps you craft visually appealing resumes that captivate hiring managers by combining images and striking design principles. With 19 diverse resume templates suitable for professionals like UX designers, social media managers, sales reps, fashion designers, photographers, teachers, project managers, and more, the platform offers ample options. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to create, tweak, and print resumes directly from your browser.

BEST FOR:

Visme’s templates are perfect for visually-oriented professions such as marketers and designers. The platform also includes its entire range of creative templates, including infographics, mind maps, flyers, and presentation slides, making it a versatile tool for various visual projects.

TYPES OF TEMPLATES:

The platform offers 19 customizable resume templates tailored to different industries, ensuring a variety of design options to match your professional style.

PRICING PLANS:

There is a free basic version with limited features that only permits saving as JPEGs. The main premium option is the Standard Plan, costing $14/month, which grants access to all premium assets, templates, up to 15 projects, 250MB storage, and PDF downloads. Included are over 750 professionally-designed templates for resumes, infographics, mind maps, flyers, slide decks, and more. You can try Visme’s Resume Maker for free and choose to upgrade later.

4. Creative Market

Creative Market Resume Templates

Creative Market functions as a platform where freelancers create and sell various graphic resources, including resume templates. This site boasts an extensive collection of over 6,202 resume designs available for purchase. Essentially, it operates like an online store where you can pick and buy your preferred resume template.

Creative Market Template Page

To get a resume template, simply click the “Add to Cart” option, then proceed to “Checkout” to download your chosen design. Once downloaded, open the template file on your computer and replace the placeholder text with your own details for a professional finish.

Sometimes, these templates are designed to be straightforward and easy to customize, making them perfect for beginners who prefer to purchase ready-made resumes without much tweaking. The site offers a large variety of professional, yet generic, templates suitable for any industry. On average, each resume template costs around $12, making it an affordable option for many job seekers.

Explore and start creating your professional resume easily through Creative Market.

5. Zety

Zety is a well-known platform that provides a large selection of over 20 stylish resume templates. Alongside templates, it offers over 200 industry-specific resume examples to help guide your creation process. Zety is not just a template library but also an online resume builder that offers tools and professional advice to assist you in crafting an effective resume. It includes features such as a resume checker which provides suggestions for improvement, and an intuitive text editor that helps eliminate grammatical errors easily.

Ideal for those in the IT or management fields, Zety’s templates are designed to cater to professionals seeking a polished, modern look. The site categorizes templates into four main styles: Creative, Professional, Modern, and Simple, allowing users to choose designs that best fit their industry and personal preference.

Pricing for Zety’s services starts with a basic plan at $5.99 per month, granting unlimited downloads and access to four templates. The premium plan, at $14.99 per month, unlocks additional features including 18 templates, a cover letter builder, and more advanced editing tools.

Disadvantages

The available templates are not customizable, but you can use Zety to create a personalized resume from the ground up.

6. Visualize.me

Visualize.me Resume Templates

Visualize.me is an online tool that specializes in designing infographic-style resumes. It converts traditional text resumes into visually appealing documents aimed at attracting recruiters more effectively. The platform provides six pre-designed templates, which can be customized with six different color schemes and over a dozen font options. One of the standout features is the ability to automatically import your LinkedIn profile information, enabling quick creation of a web-based resume showcasing your professional background, education, career trajectory, and references.

Best for

This platform is ideal for graphic designers and creative professionals seeking visually dynamic resumes that stand out.

Template Styles

Visualize.me offers six distinct themes: Crescendo Classic, Lola, CMYKay, Van der Rohe, Crescendo Oval, and Crescendo Pyramid, allowing users to choose the style that best matches their personality or industry.

Pricing Options

The basic service is free; however, the developers plan to introduce a paid version priced at $50, which may include additional features and customization options.

Disadvantages

  • It heavily depends on LinkedIn for importing information.
  • The user interface of the dashboard can feel a bit cumbersome and not very intuitive.

7. VisualCV

VisualCV Resume Templates

VisualCV is an online resume builder that offers over 22 different templates to help you craft a professional-looking resume tailored to various industries. It features easy management of multiple resumes, simple sharing options, analytics to track resume performance, and the ability to gather feedback on the effectiveness of your resume.

Users can try out free templates or upgrade to a paid plan for access to more advanced templates. All resumes are fully customizable and can be published anywhere online.

Best for

This platform suits professionals from various fields who want to update and manage their resumes digitally. It’s especially useful for those wanting to quickly format and style resumes using a variety of templates.

Template Categories

VisualCV offers 12 different categories of resume templates, including:

  • Contemporary
  • Creative
  • Free
  • Modern
  • One Page
  • Online
  • PDF Format
  • Professional
  • With Photo
  • Simple
  • Traditional
  • Two-Column

Pricing Plans

The basic plan is free and provides access to three templates. For a more comprehensive experience, the Pro plan costs $12 per month and unlocks all premium templates and features.

Disadvantages

The free plan has limited functionalities, which might restrict users seeking more advanced tools without upgrading.

8. CakeResume

CakeResume Home Page

CakeResume enables users to craft vibrant, standout resumes quickly. It offers a large selection of over 50 templates, giving users plenty of options to choose from. Unlike many other resume platforms, CakeResume provides an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for easy customization, allowing users to tailor their resumes to reflect their personality and style. They can also pick layouts that best showcase their strengths and character traits.

BEST FOR:

Individuals creating their first resume will find CakeResume particularly useful. It is also excellent for customizing existing templates to suit personal preferences.

TYPES OF TEMPLATES:

All templates are neatly organized based on industry or profession, making it easier to find a suitable format.

Resume template categories include:

  • Design (UI/UX, visual arts, etc.)
  • Engineering (Electrical, Computer Science, etc.)
  • Management
  • Media (Reporters, Editors, etc.)
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Administrative/Secretarial
  • Technology
  • Service Sector

PRICING PLANS:

CakeResume provides three subscription options. The Basic plan is free, offering limited features. The Advanced plan costs $7.95 per month, and the Pro plan is priced at $15.95 monthly, providing full access to all features.

CONS:

The free Basic plan comes with restrictions on customization options and will include CakeResume branding on the resume.

9. Kickresume.


Kickresume Templates

Kickresume is a web-based resume builder that provides a visually appealing resume design along with an extensive library of over 50 templates. Users can select from various styles to create a resume that stands out. The platform also includes a built-in grammar checker to minimize grammatical errors and offers inspiration from over 100 successful resume examples from well-known companies like Google, Volvo, and Amazon. This makes it especially helpful for those unsure what details to include or how to present their information.

BEST FOR:

It is ideal for professionals seeking guidance on what to include in their resumes, as well as those wanting help with layout and presentation.

TYPES OF TEMPLATES:

Kickresume offers a broad range of templates categorized from Classic to Modern styles, tailored to various professions including sales, retail, science, and logistics.

PRICING PLANS:

The basic version is free, while the premium plan costs $8 per month, unlocking additional customization options.

CONS:

The free version has limited customization features, requiring an upgrade to access many of the advanced tools and templates.

10. ResumeGenius.


ResumeGenius Home Page

ResumeGenius is a comprehensive online resume builder that boasts one of the largest libraries of over 100 professional templates. Users can customize their resumes and access plenty of example resumes from successful job applicants at top companies like Google, Volvo, and Amazon. Additionally, it features an integrated grammar checker to ensure high-quality, error-free content. Its extensive template collection makes it ideal for users seeking variety and professional polish in their resumes.Templates are created to fit any niche, experience level, education background, and skill set. They offer impressive customization options and even let you personalize your website design.

To help you craft a stellar resume, ResumeGenius also features an exclusive “Ask an Expert” service, where certified professional resume writers provide personalized assistance. Judging from the variety of resources and templates they offer, ResumeGenius is particularly ideal for those writing a resume for the first time.

You can choose from several categories of templates, including Career & Life Situation resumes, Basic & Simple Designs, Creative Templates, Professional Templates, and Modern Resume layouts. They offer a 14-day trial during which you can create unlimited resumes and cover letters for only $1.95. After the trial period, the subscription costs $39.95 per month. However, it’s worth noting that the service is somewhat costly compared to other options available in the market.

Amcat provides text-based resume templates primarily aimed at new graduates. While most templates are fairly simple, there are a few infographic options available. You can select from four main sections categorized by educational background: Engineers, Business, Humanities, and Science, each with multiple sub-categories. This platform is completely free to use. Unfortunately, the templates are quite limited in variety, lack customization options, and tend to look plain.

Novo Resume is an online resume builder designed for simplicity and ease of use. One of its standout features is the live resume feedback, which helps users enhance their content by scanning for missing information like contact details or a summary statement. It offers several sample templates suitable for beginners, including eight ready-to-use designs that don’t require customization. This service is perfect for recent graduates who are just starting out professionally. To access more advanced features, such as detailed resume building tools, users pay $24.95 per month. For a free option, you can simply sign up and download a basic resume template, which is great if you need a quick and straightforward solution.

Hloom offers a limited selection of resume templates, making it suitable for those needing simple and straightforward options. It’s best for job seekers who don’t require highly customized or elaborate designs.Hloom Resume TemplatesHloom Resume Templates

Hloom provides more than 400 resume templates designed in Microsoft Word, neatly categorized by industry and job role. These templates can be personalized with your details, resulting in a completed resume ready for use.

Hloom is suitable for both newcomers to resume writing and seasoned professionals. However, it mainly offers traditional, text-based resume designs. If you prefer more creative and visually striking resumes, this platform might not meet your needs.

Most templates have a straightforward, professional appearance and are grouped by industry and occupation, such as engineering, real estate, customer service, retail, and others. All templates are available for free.

One downside is that the site is cluttered with ads, which can be distracting while browsing. Also, the templates are not highly specialized or segmented beyond broad categories, making it a bit tricky to quickly find the perfect resume for your specific situation.

14. My Perfect Resume

My Perfect Resume Templates

My Perfect Resume provides over 50 customizable templates that range from sleek and modern to creative and eye-catching. Aside from resumes, it also offers templates for cover letters. The platform includes a guided process that teaches users how to craft compelling and attractive resumes, utilizing a suite of tools like a resume builder, templates, and example layouts.

This platform is ideal for those new to resume building, experienced professionals, and even professional resume writers seeking a straightforward way to produce polished resumes. Templates are classified by style, including professional, modern, and creative, and are also sorted by industry categories like insurance, finance, architecture, business, tech, and childcare, among others.

Pricing starts with a 14-day trial for $2.95, which is enough for a one-time project. Afterward, there is an option to upgrade to a monthly plan at $24.95. The main limitation is that customization options are somewhat limited, which might restrict personal tweaks for those needing very specific designs.

15. Enhancv

Enhancv Resume Templates

Claimed as one of the best online resume builders, Enhancv is a free platform that enables users to craft customized resumes quickly. It features a collection of over 200 resume examples and templates, many of which are tailored for various industries and professional styles. Users can create highly personalized resumes using a simple, intuitive interface, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned career professionals.Designed to showcase your top skills, work experience, and educational background.

h4 Best For:
Enhancv is suitable for everyone, whether you’re just starting or are a seasoned professional seeking a career change. It offers a variety of design options to match your personal style and needs.

h4 Types of Templates:

  • Modern
  • Professional
  • Creative
  • Traditional

Templates are categorized further based on the industry and specific job roles to help you choose the most relevant layout.

h4 Pricing Plans:
The subscription costs range from $10.99, billed every six months, up to $19.99 monthly for the most flexible plans.

h4 Cons:
Online reviews indicate that customer support can be slow to respond.

h3 16. Resume-Now.
Resume-Now Templates
Resume-Now provides an extensive collection of resume templates, but you’ll need to input all your personal information and credentials manually. The platform claims to collaborate with recruiters to design ready-to-use templates that can be automatically formatted. The process is quick and simple—you can download your chosen template with a single click. Users can either start from scratch or select from over 20 pre-designed templates.

h4 Best For:
Resume-Now is ideal for individuals across various industries and offers compatibility with both Microsoft Word and PDF formats, making it a good resource for those needing extra resume assistance.

h4 Types of Templates:

  • Professional
  • Creative
  • Modern
  • Traditional Classic

Templates are grouped by industry and job title, including fields like Accounting, Finance, and Architecture.

h4 Pricing Plans:
Try it with a 14-day trial for just $1.95, after which a monthly plan costs $39.90.

h4 Cons:
It is notably more expensive compared to many competitors.

h3 17. LiveCareer.
LiveCareer Resume Templates
LiveCareer offers hundreds of ready-to-use resume templates designed to make a strong first impression. You can easily customize and download these templates, choosing whether to use them as-is or tailor them for your industry or specific role.

h4 Best For:
Professionals looking to enhance their resumes and make impactful first impressions.

h4 Types of Templates:

  • Modern
  • Professional
  • Creative
  • Traditional

Templates are classified by style and industry, such as Accounting or Architecture, allowing targeted resumes based on your career field.

h4 Pricing Plans:
You can use LiveCareer for free, but access to advanced features requires a paid plan, starting with a 14-day trial at $1.95 and then $19.95 per month.

h4 Cons:
The platform’s subscription costs are higher than many other options.

h3 18. Lucidpress.
Lucidpress Resume Template
(Information pending or unavailable at this time.)Lucidpress Resume TemplatesLucidpress Resume Templates

Lucidpress offers a vast collection of more than 100 resume templates. Besides resumes, they also provide templates for brochures, business cards, flyers, posters, newsletters, and more. One of the highlights of this platform is the wide selection of fonts available, helping users customize their resumes effectively. The templates are designed to help users impress hiring managers with clearly organized sections for experience and education. While the preset templates are fixed in design, Lucidpress also offers a resume builder for creating fully customized resumes.

For those seeking professional-looking resume templates, Lucidpress is an excellent choice. However, it’s worth noting that the platform doesn’t feature many overly visual or highly creative designs, offering mostly straightforward templates with only four infographic options. The platform provides various types of templates, including simple, creative, infographic, and modern styles. Users can access a free version with limited features, and a premium subscription costs $12.95 each month. A downside is that the templates are not customizable beyond using their builder, which might limit personalization options.

Resume Viking is another popular option for crafting impressive resumes, providing users with all the necessary tools and resources to create standout documents. To get started, users simply input personal details, work history, educational background, language skills, and more. The platform facilitates quick customization through a drag-and-drop interface, making it user-friendly and accessible for first-time resume writers. It features over 23 pre-designed PDF and Word templates that users can choose from.

Ideal for beginners lacking experience in resume creation, Resume Viking categorizes its templates into professional, modern, creative, Word, and PDF styles. It’s completely free to use, which makes it accessible for everyone. However, the templates are not customizable, which could pose a challenge for those wanting to personalize their resumes more extensively.

Overleaf provides a different approach, mainly catering to users who prefer LaTeX-based resume templates. It offers a selection of professionally designed templates suited for academic and technical resumes. These templates are perfect for users familiar with LaTeX or those wanting a polished, consistent format. Their templates are easy to access and download, making it a great resource for advanced users who want precise control over their resume design without the constraints of typical editing platforms.Overleaf Resume Templates

Overleaf offers a wide variety of resume templates that are easily customizable using the LaTeX editor to help you achieve your professional objectives. From simple, traditional resumes to more elaborate, eye-catching designs, there are options suitable for every individual. Most templates are thoughtfully crafted to highlight your skills effectively by dividing the content into clear sections such as employment history, education, skills, experience, and publications.

Ideal For:

Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, these templates are suitable for all career levels and job types.

Available Types of Templates:

Templates are categorized based on their style—ranging from classic and professional to academic, minimalist, or decorative. However, users cannot filter templates based on specific criteria.

Pricing Options:

A free plan is available for individual users, while the Collaborator plan costs $15 per month. The professional plan is priced at $30 per month.

Limitations:

Using LaTeX can be challenging for some, making customization less straightforward than with other platforms.

21. CoolFreeCV

With a database of around 12 resume templates, CoolFreeCV allows you to pick a design suited to your profession or industry. The best part is that you can download templates instantly without signing up, simply by selecting your preferred design and clicking “download.” The downloaded files come in Doc or Docx formats, ready for you to edit and tailor to your credentials.

Ideal For:

Those seeking easily accessible, straightforward, text-based resume templates that can be quickly downloaded and customized.

Available Types of Templates:

Templates are organized by industry or job function, with each section offering two options, including categories like IT, trade jobs, hospitality, finance, manufacturing, and graphic/web design.

Pricing Options:

All templates are free to download, with no cost involved.

Limitations:

Templates are not customizable beyond replacing the default text; styling or layout changes are not possible post-download.

What Are Resume Templates?

A resume is a crucial tool that helps job seekers leave a positive impression on potential employers. It summarizes your work history, skills, education, certifications, contact information, and other relevant details that make you a suitable candidate for a specific role. Different resume formats serve different purposes—modern templates help you stand out creatively, chronological resumes tell your career story, functional layouts emphasize skills, and graphic templates are ideal for creative professions. The key to an effective resume is tailoring it to match the job description.

Most individuals learn to craft resumes while still in school. However, for those who find it challenging, there are numerous ready-made templates available to simplify the process.

Summing It Up

A resume goes beyond mere words on paper; it encapsulates your achievements, work experiences, future aspirations, and academic background in an engaging way. When choosing a platform for your resume, focus not only on the design but also on how well the template helps you stand out among other applicants. Ideally, select a template that is both eye-catching and functional.

Personally, I favor sites like Canva, which excel in aesthetics and offer tailored templates based on your profession. Spend some time exploring different formats and styles to discover which one yields more interview opportunities. Testing various templates can help you identify the most effective one for your needs.

Which resume template platform are you considering to maximize your chances of landing interviews?

For more career insights, visit StepThroughThePortal.com’s guides on finding a digital marketing job, exploring remote work options, and learning about future online income opportunities.