Best Resume Templates for 2021
At LiveCareer, we take resumes seriously. Our library includes a vast array of professionally designed templates. There are designs available for job seekers in every industry and at every career level.
Choose from modern, creative or traditional templates that indicate to employers you’re the right person for the role. Our templates ensure your resume will rise to the top of the pile.
Modern Resume Templates
Creative Resume Templates
Traditional Resume Templates
Which template style is right for you?
LiveCareer offers three resume styles — Modern, Creative and Traditional — to offer a selection of designs that are appropriate for every job seeker. Which one you choose will depend on your industry and the position you seek. Read on to learn more about which style of resume template is right for you.
Modern
Modern
Our Modern resume designs feature clean and up-to-date layouts that focus readers’ attention on your skills and work experience. Simple but elegant, these resume templates are appropriate for use across industries.
Who should choose a Modern resume template?
- The clean and tasteful designs work across industries but are especially effective for those applying for jobs in forward-thinking fields, like tech, or advertising.
- Job seekers who want to project that they are up-to-date and on-trend.
- Applicants who want their credentials and qualifications to take center-stage over fussy design elements.
Creative
Creative
Choose one of our Creative resume templates if you work in an industry like film, advertising, graphic or UX/UI design, or photography. These templates help you stand out with hints of color and other thoughtful visual elements that bring your resume to life.
Who should choose a Creative resume template?
- Those in artistic or creative industries who want their personality to shine through on their resume.
- Applicants who have a non-traditional work experience background.
- Job seekers who crave a design that will stand out from their competition.
Traditional
Traditional
Our Traditional resume templates are perfect for those in conservative industries, like finance or insurance, who want an attractive design that plays it safe. Straightforward and simple, these designs were created to enhance your professional image and make a strong first impression to the powers that be.
Who should choose a Traditional resume template?
- Job seekers who seek a design that won’t make waves.
- Applicants in highly professional fields such as medicine, finance or banking.
- Those seeking government, municipal or civil services work.
Our Customers Prove our Resume Builder is Better
3 reasons to use a resume template
In the job search, you want to stand out while conforming to the norms of the industry in which you are seeking work. This will be different for someone in a creative role, like advertising, than it will for someone seeking a job in a conservative industry, like finance. This is why we offer such a diverse selection of templates.
Here are three questions to ask yourself before selecting a resume template:
- Does this resume template present my credentials in the best light?
Different templates emphasize different parts of your background. Remember, a recruiter will only spend about six seconds on your resume before moving on to the next one. In those six seconds, can they glean why you’re better than other candidates they’re considering? - Will my resume get past the applicant tracking software (ATS)?
A critical part of a great resume design is readability — both by human eyes and applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan resumes to eliminate candidates. All of LiveCareer’s resume templates are designed and tested to be ATS-friendly, offering you a better chance of having your resume seen by a human recruiter. Simply pick one that stands out to you, and use our Resume Builder to help fill in the text that will make a great first impression. - Does this resume template match the tone of the role you seek?
A whimsical, colorful resume design might be perfect for a role as an art teacher. However, it could be off-putting to a recruiter looking to hire a chief financial officer. Consider the culture of the organization and the specific role you are applying for when choosing your resume template. When you use LiveCareer’s Resume Builder, it is easy (and free) to switch between templates as you apply for roles at companies with different cultures.
Resume Template FAQ
How do you make a cover letter for a resume?
Once you’ve put together a resume in our builder, it’s easy to make a cover letter in our Cover Letter Builder next. On the top navigation bar, simply select “Cover Letters” and click “Create a New Cover Letter.” In general, most software that offers resume templates or tools will offer the same for cover letters.
What if I need help creating a resume in a different file format?
Upon downloading your resume from our Resume Builder, you’ll be prompted to select your preferred file format. You’ll be given a choice between a PDF, a plain text file or a Microsoft Word document (.docx). Once downloaded, you’ll be able to further edit or reformat the document.
Should I include information about special interests, activities and hobbies?
If the job to which you’re applying calls for special interests, activities, hobbies or any other extra information on your resume, you can use our Resume Builder to add additional sections. Once your basic sections are finalized, and if there is room left on your resume, click “Add a section” to include extra information using recommended or completely customized headers and text.
