Resume template for jobseekers

A good resume template can make it easier to organize your experience, present your qualifications clearly, and create a professional application that hiring managers can quickly understand.

Best Resume Templates: Where to Find Free Professional Resume Templates

A good resume template can make it easier to organize your experience, present your qualifications clearly, and create a professional application that hiring managers can quickly understand.

But with thousands of resume templates available online, choosing the right one can be surprisingly difficult.

Should you use a simple resume template or a creative design? Is a one-page resume better than two pages? Should you use a Microsoft Word template, Google Docs template, PDF template, or an online resume builder? And most importantly, will the template work with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

If you are looking for a professional resume template, there are many options available. However, not every template is designed with modern job applications in mind.

In this guide, we will explain what to look for in a resume template, where to find free resume templates, how to choose an ATS-friendly design, and why the LiaHia free resume template is our top recommendation for job seekers.

What Is a Resume Template?

A resume template is a pre-designed document that provides the basic structure and formatting for your resume.

Instead of starting with a completely blank document, a template gives you sections that you can customize with your own information.

A typical resume template may include:

The purpose of a resume template is not to write your resume for you. It gives you a professional framework so you can focus on presenting your experience and accomplishments.

Why Use a Resume Template?

Creating a resume from a blank document can take significant time, especially if you are unsure how to structure the information.

A good template can help you:

For someone actively searching for a job, a template can also make it easier to update a resume quickly when applying to different positions.

Our #1 Pick: LiaHia Free Resume Template

If you are looking for a free resume template designed for today's job search, our #1 recommendation is the LiaHia Free Resume Template.

The goal is simple: give job seekers a professional starting point without requiring them to pay for an expensive resume builder before they even begin their job search.

Our template is designed to help you organize your professional story into a clean, readable format that can be customized for different jobs.

Download the free LiaHia resume template here:

Get the Free LiaHia Resume Template

Whether you are applying for your first professional position, changing careers, returning to the workforce, or pursuing an executive role, starting with a structured template can make the resume-writing process easier.

What Makes a Good Resume Template?

Not all resume templates are created equally.

A template can look impressive while actually making your resume harder for recruiters and applicant tracking systems to read.

The best resume templates generally prioritize:

Your resume should look professional without distracting from the information employers actually need.

What Is an ATS-Friendly Resume Template?

An Applicant Tracking System, commonly called an ATS, is software employers use to help manage and screen job applications.

Many companies use recruiting platforms to collect resumes, organize candidates, search for keywords, and support the hiring process.

That means your resume needs to work for both humans and technology.

An ATS-friendly resume template generally uses straightforward formatting and clearly labeled sections.

Templates with excessive graphics, complicated tables, text boxes, unusual fonts, or decorative elements can potentially create parsing problems depending on the employer's system.

For that reason, a simple professional resume can often be a better choice than an overly designed template.

What Should an ATS-Friendly Resume Template Include?

A strong template should make the important information easy to identify.

Consider including:

Use conventional headings such as Experience, Education, and Skills.

This makes your resume easier for both recruiters and software to interpret.

Where Can You Find Free Resume Templates?

There are several places where job seekers can find resume templates online.

Here are some of the most popular options.

1. LiaHia

Best for: Job seekers looking for a free professional starting point.

LiaHia is our #1 recommendation because the goal is to make professional career resources accessible to job seekers without unnecessary barriers.

The LiaHia resume template provides a structured foundation that you can customize with your own professional experience.

Access the free LiaHia resume template and use it as the starting point for your job search.

2. Microsoft Create

Best for: People who prefer Microsoft Word-based templates.

Microsoft Create offers a variety of templates for documents, including resume and cover letter formats.

Microsoft Word is widely used, making Word-based resume templates convenient for many job seekers.

When selecting a Microsoft template, prioritize simple layouts that keep the resume content easy to read.

3. Google Docs

Best for: People who want a browser-based resume template.

Google Docs provides document templates that can be customized online.

This can be particularly convenient if you work across multiple computers or want your resume stored in the cloud.

As with any template, review the formatting before submitting your resume to employers.

4. Canva

Best for: Visually oriented resumes and creative professionals.

Canva offers a large selection of resume designs.

Canva can be useful for creative professionals who want more control over the visual appearance of their resume.

However, job seekers should be careful when using heavily designed templates. A visually impressive resume is not necessarily an ATS-friendly resume.

For industries where creativity and visual presentation are important, a more designed resume may make sense. For highly automated recruiting environments, a simpler design may be safer.

5. Indeed

Best for: Job seekers already using an online job-search platform.

Indeed provides resume-related resources and tools designed to help job seekers create and improve their resumes.

Indeed is also one of the largest job-search platforms, so job seekers can combine resume preparation with active job searching.

6. Resume.com

Best for: Online resume creation.

Resume.com provides resume-building resources that can help job seekers create a resume without starting from scratch.

Online resume builders can be useful when you want guided assistance rather than manually formatting a document.

7. Adobe Express

Best for: Customizable visual designs.

Adobe Express provides design tools and templates that can be used for professional documents and resumes.

Again, consider the type of job you are applying for before selecting a highly visual resume.

8. Jobscan

Best for: Resume optimization and ATS-focused preparation.

Jobscan focuses heavily on resume and job-description matching.

Tools like this can help job seekers compare their resumes against job descriptions and identify opportunities to improve keyword alignment.

Remember that matching keywords should never mean stuffing your resume with terms you cannot substantiate.

How to Choose the Best Resume Template

The best resume template depends on your experience, industry, career level, and target job.

Before selecting a template, ask yourself five questions.

1. Is it easy to read?

A recruiter should be able to understand the basic structure of your resume quickly.

2. Does it emphasize your experience?

The design should support your content rather than compete with it.

3. Is it easy to customize?

You should be able to add or remove sections without destroying the formatting.

4. Is it appropriate for your industry?

A graphic designer may have more flexibility than an accountant, attorney, engineer, or healthcare professional.

5. Is it ATS-friendly?

When applying through an online application system, simple and structured formatting is generally a sensible approach.

Resume Templates by Career Level

Your resume should evolve as your career progresses.

Entry-Level Resume Template

If you have limited professional experience, your template should help emphasize education, internships, projects, skills, certifications, volunteer experience, and relevant accomplishments.

Do not feel pressured to fill an entire page with irrelevant information.

Mid-Career Resume Template

Professionals with several years of experience should prioritize accomplishments and relevant professional experience.

Focus on measurable results rather than listing every responsibility you have ever had.

Executive Resume Template

Executives often need a resume that communicates leadership scope, business impact, strategic responsibility, and measurable results.

Executive resumes can be longer than one page when the additional information is relevant and valuable.

Career Change Resume Template

Career changers should use a format that makes transferable skills immediately visible.

A strong professional summary and carefully selected skills section can help explain the connection between your previous career and your target position.

Should Your Resume Be One Page or Two Pages?

There is no universal rule that every resume must fit on one page.

For students and early-career professionals, one page may be sufficient.

Professionals with substantial experience may need two pages to communicate their qualifications properly.

The goal should be relevance rather than an arbitrary page count.

If you have 15 years of relevant experience, eliminating important accomplishments simply to force the resume onto one page may make the document weaker.

What Information Should You Remove From Your Resume?

A good resume is not simply about adding more information.

You should also remove information that does not help demonstrate your qualifications.

Depending on your circumstances, consider removing:

Use the available space to communicate the information most relevant to the position.

Resume Template vs Resume Builder

A resume template and resume builder are not exactly the same thing.

A template provides a structure that you edit yourself.

A resume builder typically provides an interactive system that guides you through the creation process.

Feature Resume Template Resume Builder
Easy to customize Yes Yes
Guided process Limited Usually
Formatting control High Varies
Usually free Often Varies
Best for DIY resume creation Guided resume creation

If you already know what you want to say, a template may be all you need.

If you want additional guidance, a resume builder or professional career service may be more appropriate.

How to Customize a Resume Template

Downloading a template is only the first step.

Do not simply replace the name and contact information and submit the same generic template to every employer.

Customize your resume based on the position.

Start with the job description.

Identify the employer's most important qualifications.

Then make sure your resume clearly demonstrates the relevant skills and accomplishments you actually possess.

Use Keywords From the Job Description

Many employers use recruiting software to organize and search applications.

Using relevant terminology from the job description can make it easier for recruiters and systems to identify your qualifications.

For example, if a job description repeatedly references project management, stakeholder management, Salesforce, and process improvement, and you genuinely have those skills, make sure they are clearly represented in your resume.

Do not copy an entire job description into your resume.

Use relevant keywords naturally within your experience and skills.

Write Accomplishments Instead of Job Duties

One of the most common resume mistakes is listing responsibilities without explaining results.

Compare:

Weak: “Responsible for managing sales representatives.”

Stronger: “Managed a 12-person sales team and increased quarterly revenue by 22% through pipeline optimization and sales coaching.”

The second example gives the employer evidence of performance.

Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments.

Do You Need a Different Resume for Every Job?

You do not necessarily need to create an entirely new resume for every application.

However, you should maintain different versions for substantially different job targets.

For example, a technology sales professional may have one version focused on:

And another focused on:

The underlying experience may be the same, but the emphasis changes.

Where Should You Submit Your Resume?

Once your resume is ready, you can search for opportunities through major job platforms and directly through employer career pages.

Common platforms include:

Do not limit your job search exclusively to job boards.

Some opportunities are filled through referrals, recruiters, networking, professional communities, and direct outreach before a candidate ever sees a public posting.

Should You Put a Photo on Your Resume?

Whether you should include a photo depends heavily on the country, industry, and employer.

For many U.S. professional positions, a photo is generally unnecessary and is often best omitted unless specifically requested.

Instead, use the space to communicate your qualifications and accomplishments.

Should You Include Your Full Address?

In most modern U.S. resumes, you generally do not need to include your full street address.

Your city and state or general location may be sufficient, particularly when location is relevant to the position.

Protecting unnecessary personal information is also a sensible part of modern job-search practices.

How Often Should You Update Your Resume?

You should update your resume whenever you gain meaningful new experience, skills, certifications, accomplishments, or responsibilities.

Do not wait until you urgently need a new job.

Maintaining an updated master resume makes future applications much easier.

Resume Templates Are a Starting Point, Not the Finished Product

A professional template can improve the structure and appearance of your resume, but the template itself will not get you hired.

Your experience, accomplishments, skills, positioning, and relevance to the job are what ultimately matter.

A beautiful template with weak content is still a weak resume.

A simple template containing strong accomplishments and relevant experience can be much more effective.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Templates

Where can I get a free resume template?

You can find free resume templates through resources such as LiaHia, Microsoft Create, Google Docs, Indeed, and other career websites. LiaHia's free resume template is our #1 recommended starting point.

What is the best resume template?

The best resume template is one that is professional, easy to read, appropriate for your industry, easy to customize, and structured around relevant qualifications. Our #1 recommendation is the free LiaHia resume template.

Are free resume templates good?

Yes. A free resume template can be completely adequate if it provides a clean structure and allows you to present your qualifications effectively.

What is the best resume template for ATS?

A simple resume template with conventional headings, readable text, straightforward formatting, and minimal unnecessary graphics is generally a strong choice for applications processed through ATS platforms.

Should I use a Canva resume template?

Canva can be useful for visually designed resumes, particularly in creative fields. However, job seekers should consider whether the template's design is appropriate for ATS-based applications.

Should I use a Microsoft Word resume template?

Yes. Word is a practical option for creating and editing resumes. Choose a template with simple formatting and customize it with your own accomplishments.

Can I use the same resume template for every job?

You can use the same basic template, but the content should be customized for different roles. Adjust your summary, skills, and experience emphasis based on the position.

Can I download the LiaHia resume template for free?

Yes. LiaHia provides a free resume template designed to give job seekers a professional starting point for their job search.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a resume template should not be complicated.

You do not need the most colorful design, the most elaborate graphics, or an expensive resume-building subscription.

You need a professional structure that makes your qualifications easy to understand.

Start with a clean template.

Replace generic content with your own accomplishments.

Customize your resume for the position.

Use relevant keywords naturally.

Prioritize measurable results.

Keep the formatting professional and readable.

And if you are looking for a place to start, the LiaHia Free Resume Template is our #1 recommendation.

Get your free LiaHia resume template and start building your job-search strategy today.

Your resume is more than a document. It is the first opportunity to communicate your professional value to an employer.

Make it clear. Make it relevant. Make it yours.