Free Resume Templates (Customize & Download)

Choosing the Right Resume Format

Our template library features resumes in the three most common formats: chronological, combination, and functional, each highlighting different aspects of your background. Use your experience level as a starting point, then choose the format that best fits your career history and goals.

0-3 Years of Experience

Functional Resume

Skills-focused format that emphasizes abilities over work history

You have limited relevant work experience or want to emphasize skills over work history.
You have transferable skills that are more relevant to the role than your work timeline.
You’re applying for a role where specific skills or qualifications are more important than career progression.

3-10 Years of Experience

Combination Resume

A middle-ground format that combines skills and work experience

You have strong, transferable skills and a solid work history.
You have gaps in employment or a nonlinear career path.
You want to balance career progression with your abilities.

10+ Years of Experience

Chronological Resume

Experience-focused format that highlights steady career progression

You have a steady career path with clear progression in your field.
Your recent experience and career progression are strong selling points for the role.
You’re applying in traditional fields where work history is key.

Resume Formatting Best Practices

A well-formatted resume uses clear section headings, consistent spacing, readable fonts, and concise bullet points. Follow the best practices below to create a resume that’s polished and optimized for recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

1. Aim for a 1-Page Resume

A one-page resume keeps your content focused and scannable. Prioritize only the most relevant skills, experience, and achievements for the role.

2. Pick Standard Resume Sections

Include clear, expected headings like “Professional Summary,” “Skills,” “Work Experience,” and “Education” to ensure nothing important is overlooked.

3. Use Standard Margins

Keep margins between 0.5 and 1 inch on all sides to prevent overcrowding and ensure your content prints and displays properly across devices.

4. Ensure Proper Line Spacing

Use single spacing or up to 1.15 line spacing to create enough white space for easy scanning without wasting room on the page or squeezing text together.

5. Use the Appropriate Font Size

Keep body text sized at 10–12 points, section headings at 14–16 points, and your name at 18–24 points for readability and a clear information hierarchy.

6. Opt for Simple Bullet Points

Use simple bullet points to present your experience in a clear, scannable format. Avoid overly complex symbols or formatting, as they can confuse an ATS.

7. Choose an Easy-to-Read Font

Choose a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Avoid decorative or script fonts, which can reduce readability and appear unprofessional.

8. Save in the Right File Format

Unless the job posting requests a different format, it’s generally advisable to save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting, spacing, and layout across devices and operating systems.

Job Seekers Trust LiveCareer

Build a Job-Winning  Resume in Half the Time

STEP 1

Start with what you have.

Don’t start from scratch. Upload your old resume, and our AI will instantly map your history into a modern, professional layout.

STEP 2

Click-to-add professional  bullet points.

No more writer's block. Search by job title and choose from thousands of recruiter-approved phrases that highlight your top achievements.

STEP 3

Generate a high-impact  summary instantly.

Our AI analyzes your experience and generates a punchy professional summary designed to catch a recruiter's eye in the first 6 seconds.

STEP 4

Automatic formatting &  ATS optimization.

Change templates, fonts, or colors with one click. We ensure every margin and line is optimized to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Thumbnail for video about how to choose the best resume template for you. Showing video title text and multiple templates.

How to Pick a Resume Template

Click play to get five pro tips for choosing the right resume template and customizing it so your job application stands out to employers.

Build My Resume

Expert Reviews of LiveCareer

Bridget Baggett

Senior Recruiter

As a Sr. Recruiter and Career Strategist, I know there are limited options that allow you to create a resume as seamlessly as the LiveCareer Builder. I was impressed with the well-thought-out, professional, and modern template designs. The software is easy to use and uniquely customizes your resume down to the color schemes and content options. I was fascinated with the job-targeted phrases and text suggestions that would potentially increase your chances of getting your resume in front of a hiring manager.

The LiveCareer Builder is a perfect tool for anyone looking to update their resume or create an entirely new one. It allows you to write your professional story with the keywords that will set you apart from the competition.

Tiffany Rabara

Director of Talent Acquisition

Navigating the job search can be quite challenging. As a professional deeply engaged in the talent industry, I’m continually seeking ways to support my community and job seekers in their journey. One of the questions I frequently encounter is, “What advice do you have for me to get noticed by recruiters?” My consistent recommendation has been to update your resume regularly. This allows you to capture your achievements while they are still vivid and fresh in your memory.

LiveCareer has been a game-changer in simplifying the resume-building process. I’m particularly impressed by its user-friendly and intuitive interface. Moreover, the designs are incredibly creative and eye-catching, making standing out in job applications much more achievable. This tool significantly streamlines the process and makes it accessible for everyone to always have a freshly updated resume.

Jennifer Parker

Senior Recruiter

As someone in the recruiting industry for 20+ years, I’ve seen many resumes (good and bad). The most successful candidates have very clean, clear, and visually appealing resumes. The current candidate market is very competitive, and while updating our resume is a daunting and tedious process, it is imperative to have an up-to-date resume.

I was impressed with how easy the LiveCareer Builder is to use. The process was straightforward and even enjoyable! Being able to visually see what the resume looks like in real time was fantastic. The content suggestions were professional, relevant, and conducive to today’s market. The entire process took less than 30 minutes, and the finished product is something that I’d be proud to share with recruiters and managers. I highly encourage job seekers to use LiveCareer’s Builder to create a fresh resume that stands out for the right reasons and broadens their opportunities to get noticed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated on September 21, 2026

What is the best resume template?

The best resume templates are clean, ATS-friendly, and tailored to your industry and experience level. They should clearly highlight your work history, skills, and achievements while avoiding overly complex designs. While the ideal resume template depends on your target role, simple, professional layouts are typically most effective for getting noticed across industries.

Where can I download a professional resume template?

You can download resume templates on this page. To download a free resume template, go to the “Price” filter at the top of this page, select the “Free” option, then choose a template and click “Download Template.” You can also download any of the templates on this page for free in plain text (TXT) format, or in Word or PDF format with a premium subscription.

Are free resume templates ATS-friendly?

Yes, free resume templates can be ATS-friendly if they use a simple layout, standard section headings, readable fonts, and text-based formatting. Avoid templates with complex graphics, tables, text boxes, or decorative elements that may interfere with ATS. Whether a template is free or paid doesn’t determine its ATS compatibility; the structure and formatting matter most.

Can ChatGPT write my resume?

ChatGPT can write your resume by drafting, structuring, and refining each section based on your experience and target job. It can generate summaries, bullet points, and keyword-optimized content. You should, however, always review and personalize the final version to ensure accuracy and that it reflects your unique skills.

What are the three C’s of a resume?

The three C’s of a resume are clarity, conciseness, and consistency. A strong resume should clearly communicate your experience, keep content brief and relevant, and maintain a consistent format throughout. Our resume templates are designed around these principles to help you present your qualifications in a clean, professional way that’s easy for hiring managers to read.

**What should I not put on my resume**?

You’ll generally want to leave off personal details, such as age, date of birth, and marital status, as well as irrelevant or outdated experience, vague statements, unrelated hobbies, and outdated skills. Photos are also best avoided unless they’re standard or specifically requested for your industry or location. A professional resume template can help you focus on job-relevant information so your application stays clean, polished, and aligned with what employers care about most.

What is the seven-second rule in a resume?

The “seven-second rule” is a commonly cited idea that hiring managers may spend only a few seconds initially scanning a resume before deciding whether to keep reading. This highlights the importance of making key information easy to spot at a glance, including your relevant experience, skills, and top achievements.

Should I use a chronological or functional resume template?

You should use a chronological resume template if you have a steady work history and want to emphasize career progression. A functional resume template may be better in some instances if you have significant employment gaps, limited experience, or want to focus on skills rather than traditional job history. For most job seekers, a chronological format is the standard choice because it clearly shows recent experience and career progression.

See more on our FAQ page