Resume Templates
Hiring managers spend under ten seconds on the first pass of a resume, so the design carries as much weight as the words on the page. These resume templates work for every kind of applicant. Pick an entry-level layout for a first resume, a detailed design for a long work history, an ATS-friendly version for online applications, or one of the industry-specific formats for nursing, aviation, medicine, and many more.
This resume template collection covers every category job seekers reach for. Entry-level layouts work for students and recent graduates with limited work history, and detailed multi-section designs suit senior professionals with years of experience behind them. Each design adapts to different industries, career stages, and personal styles.
The collection includes ATS-friendly designs that use standard fonts and predictable section headings so applicant tracking software can read them cleanly. Modern visual designs handle creative roles in graphic design, photography, or marketing, and minimal styles work for traditional fields like accounting or administration. Industry-specific formats span nurses, pilots, physicians, artists, dancers, and many more roles, covering almost every field a job seeker might come from.
These resume templates are available in Word, Google Docs, or Adobe Illustrator. Every section is fully editable, so you can rename headings, change colors and fonts, rearrange content, remove sections that don’t apply, or add new ones for projects, awards, or languages. The template’s content serves as a writing guide that you replace with your own information. Export as a PDF when you are ready to send it, or print directly for in-person interviews and job fairs.
Essential sections of a resume template
Your name, phone number, email, and city. Some resumes also add a LinkedIn URL or portfolio link to this section.
A two to three sentence introduction that names the role you are pursuing and your strongest qualifications. Use it to set the tone for the rest of the page.
Past roles in reverse chronological order, with job title, company, dates, and a few bullet points about what you achieved. The largest section for experienced candidates.
Degrees, schools, and graduation years. Recent graduates often list this before experience, since their academic record is more relevant than a short work history.
Technical skills, software, languages, and professional strengths the job description calls for. Keep the list focused on what matters for the role you want.
Industry credentials, licenses, and training that prove your qualifications. List the most recent or role-specific certifications first and drop anything outdated.
Some sections are optional and depend on the role. Languages, interests, projects, and awards only matter when they directly relate to the job you are applying for, so skip anything that doesn’t earn its place on the page.
References are usually shared only when an employer asks for them. A common practice is to add a single line at the end of the resume that reads ‘References available upon request,’ though this is optional. These resume templates follow that same convention and do not include a references section, so you can send your references on a separate reference list when asked. Highfile has a reference list template collection that pairs with these resumes.
Writing your resume
Five steps from a blank template to a finished application.
Choose a design that fits your field and experience level. Traditional roles like accounting or law usually call for clean minimalist designs, and creative roles can handle more visual layouts. For online applications that go through automated screening, pick an ATS-friendly version.
Tip — Some templates include several style variations in one download. Pick the version you want and delete the others before saving.
Add your name and contact details, then write a two to three sentence summary that names the role you want and your strongest qualifications. Skip outdated details like full street address or birthdate.
Tip — Use a professional email address with your full name, not a nickname or numbers from years ago.
List jobs in reverse chronological order with your title, the company, and the dates you worked there. Under each role, write three to five bullet points that describe achievements, not just duties.
Tip — Start each bullet with an action verb like Led, Managed, or Designed. Quantify achievements with numbers when you can.
Add your highest degree, school name, and graduation year. Then write a skills section aligned with the job description, focusing on the software, languages, or strengths the role calls for.
Read your resume out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Run spell-check, ask someone else to review it, then export as a PDF before sending so the formatting stays intact across devices.
FAQs
How long should a resume be?
One page is standard for most candidates, especially students or anyone with less than ten years of experience. Two pages are acceptable for senior professionals, technical roles with extensive project history, or specialized careers like medicine.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
In the United States, Canada, the UK, and most English-speaking countries, photos are usually left off because of hiring bias concerns. Many employers in these regions actively discourage photos to keep the screening process focused on qualifications, and some applicant tracking systems struggle to parse resumes with images.
In parts of Europe (Germany, France, and Spain especially), most of Asia, and South America, photos remain common and are often expected. A formal headshot signals professionalism and meets cultural conventions in these regions.
Some industries benefit from a photo regardless of location. Modeling, acting, performing arts, and broadcast journalism treat the photo as part of the application itself. Customer-facing roles in hospitality and real estate often include one too, since appearance and presentation are part of the role.
If you do include a photo, use a recent professional headshot with a neutral background, business attire, and a friendly but composed expression. Skip casual selfies, vacation shots, or anything cropped from a group photo. If you cannot tell what is expected for your situation, check the job posting or look at the company’s existing employee profiles for clues, or leave the photo off and let the qualifications carry the application.
Can I edit these templates in both Word and Google Docs?
Yes. The Word versions open in Microsoft Word, and the Google Docs versions can be edited online without installing anything. The Adobe Illustrator versions handle the more visual designs that call for detailed graphic editing.
Will my resume pass an applicant tracking system?
Yes. The collection includes ATS-friendly designs that use standard fonts and predictable section headings so automated screening can read them cleanly. Pick an ATS-friendly version for online applications and keep the more visual designs for in-person submissions or interviews.
Do I need a separate cover letter to go with my resume?
Employers usually expect a cover letter alongside the resume, especially for professional and senior roles. Highfile has a separate cover letter template collection that pairs with these resumes.