Resume templates

Resume Templates: Free, Professional, ATS-Ready

Pick from 31+ professionally designed templates, customize in minutes, and download your resume as a PDF or Word file. Upload your existing resume and SoundCV fills in your details automatically.

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31+ templatesFree to startPDF & Word download

Find your template

Hover a card to see it up close. Every template works with your own content, colours and fonts, and you can switch at any time without retyping.

New

Sage

ATS

Fresh two-column design with a photo on soft green shapes, a mint title pill and clear icon headings.

Two-columnCreative
New

Blossom

ATS

A fresh two-column layout with soft floral accents and rose-pink highlights. Bold headings and clean lines keep it professional, while the botanical touches make it memorable. A great fit for creative, marketing and design roles.

Two-columnCreative
New

Horizon

ATS

Modern two-column design with a soft blue wave, navy and sky-blue accents and clean skill tags.

Two-columnModern
New

Milestone

ATS

A confident single-column layout with a clean timeline that walks recruiters through your career. Dates sit in their own column, navy headings and warm orange accents guide the eye, and a round photo adds a personal touch. Great for experienced professionals in tech, business and management.

One-columnProfessional
New

Summit

ATS

Rounded banner with chevron bottom, summary in header, skill chips. (v2 engine draft)

Two-columnProfessional
New

Graphite

ATS

Split-header design with a charcoal contact panel, teal accents, outlined icons and skill-level bars.

Two-columnCreative
New

Harbor

ATS

Navy sidebar design with a sky-blue career timeline, round icon headings and elegant light typography.

Two-column
New

Ivory

ATS

Classic single-column serif design on warm ivory paper, with a centred name and letter-spaced headings.

One-columnATS
New

Clarity

ATS

Clean two-column design with bold ruled headings, typewriter-style dates, a skills grid and a round photo.

Two-columnATS

Admiral

ATS

Navy header design with steel-blue ruled headings, right-aligned dates and a clean two-column body.

Two-columnModern

Atlas

ATS

Right-hand navy sidebar with photo and skills, plus a clean main column with ruled headings and aligned dates.

Two-column

simple black

Create a professional impression with our simple black resume template, designed for clarity and impact.

One-columnSimple

Slate Resume

The Slate Resume template offers a professional design that highlights your skills and experience without ATS compatibility.

Two-column

simple gray

Elevate your job search with our professional Simple Gray resume template, designed for a polished and modern look.

One-columnSimple

silver

Elevate your job application with our professional silver resume template, designed for a standout presentation.

Two-column

Finance

Elevate your job search with our professional finance resume template, designed for impactful presentation and clarity.

One-column

Elegant

Elevate your job application with our Elegant professional resume template, designed for a sophisticated and impactful presentation.

Two-column

Clean Slate

The Clean Slate resume template is optimized for keyword-rich content, enhancing visibility in applicant tracking systems.

Two-columnATS

Refined

Elevate your job search with the professional Refined resume template, designed for impactful presentation and clarity.

Two-column

Mercury

The Mercury resume template is optimized for applicant tracking systems, featuring a keyword-rich design for maximum impact.

One-columnATS

Prime ATS

Professional resume template: Prime ATS

One-columnATS

simply green

The Simply Green resume template features a modern design, optimized for keyword-rich content, but is not ATS friendly.

One-columnATS

Corporate

Elevate your job application with our professional Corporate resume template, designed for a polished and impactful presentation.

One-columnATS

Simply Blue

Elevate your job search with the Simply Blue resume template, featuring a simple, clean, and minimalist design for professionals.

One-columnCreative

simple 2 column

Create a standout professional resume with our simple 2 column template, designed for clarity and style.

Two-column

Pure ATS

Professional resume template: Pure ATS

One-columnATS

Modern Outline

The Modern Outline resume template features a sleek, contemporary design that is ATS optimized and applicant tracking system compatible.

Two-columnPopular

Modern Gray

Professional resume template: Modern Gray

One-columnModern

Classic Outline

Professional resume template: Classic Outline

One-columnWith photo

Classic Gray

Professional resume template: Classic Gray

One-columnATS

Balanced

The Balanced two-column resume template features a modern, organized, and structured layout, ensuring ATS optimization for applicant tracking syste...

Two-column
Milestone resume template with its parts marked
Anatomy of a strong resume

What recruiters read first, and where it sits

A recruiter skims a resume in seconds. Every template puts the parts they look for where their eyes go first. Pick a part to see it on the page.

From blank page to PDF in three steps

Start from a template, or upload your old resume and we fill the template in for you.

Step 1

Pick a template

Filter by layout, photo or style. Not sure? Start with any; you can switch later without retyping.

Step 2

Add your details

Type them in or upload an existing resume. AI suggestions help you write stronger bullet points.

Step 3

Download and apply

Export a clean PDF or Word file and send it straight to the job you want.

Same words. A completely different first impression.

Drag the handle. On the left, a plain document; on the right, the same content in the Horizon template.

Resume content in the Horizon template
PlainSoundCV

Make any template your own

The design stays polished while you change what matters to you.

Colours

Your colour, everywhere at once

Pick an accent and the headings, icons and highlights follow.

Emily Mitchell
Fonts

Type that suits your field

Switch between modern sans-serifs and classic serifs with one click.

AaBricolage Grotesque
Sections

Drag to reorder

Photo

Photo on or off

Score

Check before you send

Choose the right resume format

The order of your sections tells a story. Pick the one that puts your strongest part first.

Reverse-chronological

Your most recent roles come first. The format most recruiters expect.

Try it with Milestone, Ivory, Clarity

Functional

Skills lead the page. Good for career changers and gaps in work history.

Try it with Sage, Summit, Harbor

Combination

Skills and experience side by side. Ideal for two-column layouts.

Try it with Horizon, Blossom, Atlas

The right template for where you are

What goes first on your resume changes as your career grows. Pick your stage for advice and three designs that suit it.

Show you can do the job

Your first roles and internships matter most. Put results in numbers, even small ones.

  • Internships and part-time work with results
  • A short summary that names the role you want
  • Skills that match the job description

Templates by industry

Some fields expect a quiet classic, others reward a little colour. Start from what works in yours.

Tech & IT

Skills and projects up front, clean two columns.

Try Horizon, Atlas

Healthcare

Licences and certifications easy to find.

Try Sage, Milestone

Finance

Conservative layouts with numbers that stand out.

Try Ivory, Clarity

Design & creative

Personality on the page, still easy to scan.

Try Blossom, Sage

Education

Room for qualifications, training and research.

Try Ivory, Milestone

Sales & marketing

Bold headers that put targets and wins first.

Try Summit, Horizon

Engineering

Structured sections for tools, standards and projects.

Try Clarity, Harbor

Hospitality

Friendly designs with a photo and languages.

Try Sage, Atlas

Built for tech and product

Clean two-column layouts with room for skills and projects.

Two-column · Modern
Two-column
Two-column · Professional
Two-column · Popular
Two-column · ATS
Two-column

Creative and colourful

Personality on the page, still easy to read.

Two-column · Creative
Two-column · Creative
Two-column · Modern
One-column · Professional
Two-column · Professional

Classic and ATS-safe

Quiet, structured designs for traditional fields.

One-column · ATS
One-column · Professional
Two-column
Two-column · ATS
Two-column
Two-column
One-column · ATS
One-column · ATS

Two-column layouts

Skills beside experience, so a recruiter sees both at once.

Two-column · Creative
Two-column · Creative
Two-column · Modern
Two-column · Professional
Two-column · Creative
Two-column
Two-column · ATS
Two-column · Modern
Applicant tracking systems

Designed for people. Readable by software.

Most companies run your resume through an ATS before a person sees it. Our templates keep every word as real text, in a clear order, so nothing gets lost.

  • Real text, never images of text
  • Standard section names ATS software looks for
  • Decorations stay in the background, never in the way
Check my resume score
Cover letters

A cover letter that matches your resume

Every template has a cover letter in the same colours and fonts, so your application looks like one considered package. Write it with AI help from the job description in a few minutes.

  • Same header, colours and typography as your resume
  • Tailored to the job you paste in
  • Download both as PDFs, ready to send
Write my cover letter

A great template needs great words

Six habits that separate a resume that gets skimmed from one that gets a call back.

Lead with the result

Start each bullet with what changed because of you, then say how.

Responsible for the company website.
Rebuilt the company website, cutting load time by 40%.

Use numbers you can defend

Figures make claims concrete. Use the real ones, rounded honestly.

Managed a large team.
Managed a team of 12 across two time zones.

Choose strong verbs

Swap passive phrasing for verbs that show ownership.

Was involved in the launch of a new app.
Launched a booking app used by 3 clinics.

Mirror the job description

Use the same words the posting uses for skills you really have, so ATS software matches them.

Good with data tools.
Built weekly reports in SQL and Power BI.

Keep the summary short

Two or three lines: who you are, your strongest skill and what you want next.

Hard-working team player seeking opportunities.
Frontend engineer with 8 years in React, focused on accessible products.

Cut what doesn’t help

Old, unrelated jobs and “references available” use space a recruiter would rather spend on your best work.

References available upon request.
One more line about your biggest win.
Copy and paste

A plain-text resume outline

Need a starting point for an online form or a quick draft? Copy this outline, fill in the brackets, then paste it into any template here to make it look great.

[YOUR NAME]
[Target job title]
[Email] | [Phone] | [City, Country] | [LinkedIn or website]

SUMMARY
[Two or three lines: who you are, your strongest skill, what you want next.]

WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job title], [Company] — [City]
[Month Year] – [Month Year or Present]
- [Result you achieved, with a number] by [how you did it]
- [Another result] using [tool or skill from the job description]
- [Responsibility that shows scope: team size, budget, users]

[Job title], [Company] — [City]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
- [Result]
- [Result]

EDUCATION
[Degree], [School] — [Year]
[Honours, GPA or relevant coursework, if useful]

SKILLS
[Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]

CERTIFICATIONS
[Certification], [Issuer] — [Year]

LANGUAGES
[Language] — [Level]

Resume template guide

What to look for in a template, and how to get it to an employer in the right file.

Best Free Resume Templates for Every Job

The best resume templates are not just visually appealing. They are built around what actually gets you hired. SoundCV's best free resume templates are designed by career experts and tested across hundreds of job applications. Whether you are applying for your first role or moving into senior management, you will find a format that fits your experience level and industry without paying a cent. Pair any template with our AI resume builder to fill in your details automatically.

ATS-Friendly Resume Templates That Pass Every Scanner

Choosing the right ATS resume template means your application actually gets read. An ATS-friendly resume template uses a clean structure with standard section headings that parsing software can read without errors. Over 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them, usually because of formatting issues, not qualifications. Every SoundCV template is tested against major ATS platforms so your content reaches the recruiter every time. Not sure how your current resume scores? Use our free ATS resume checker to find out.

Modern Resume Templates for 2026

Resume format expectations shift every few years. In 2026, recruiters favor clean layouts with a strong summary at the top, quantified achievements in the experience section, and a dedicated skills block. Two-column formats are gaining ground in tech and finance roles. Single-column formats remain the safest choice for ATS compatibility. SoundCV templates cover both. Pick the one that matches your target role. Once your resume is ready, use our cover letter builder to write a matching cover letter in minutes.

Free Resume Templates: Download in PDF or Word

Free resume templates download in PDF or Word format with one click. PDF keeps your formatting intact across every device and is recommended for most job applications. Word format is useful when an employer specifically requests an editable file. You can switch between formats anytime without rebuilding your resume from scratch.

Microsoft Word Resume Templates: Download and Edit

Millions of job seekers search for Microsoft Word resume templates every month. Word files are editable, widely accepted, and easy to share with recruiters. Every SoundCV resume template downloads as a Word file when you select that format in the editor. Open it in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or Google Docs and make changes directly without any formatting issues.

A Word resume template from SoundCV keeps your layout intact after download. Fonts, margins, and section spacing all transfer correctly. You do not need to reformat anything. Some employers specifically request a Word file so they can leave comments or fill in screening notes directly on your resume. If you prefer PDF, switch formats in one click from the same editor. Both options use the same template design so your resume looks identical regardless of which file type you submit.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a resume template ATS-friendly?

An ATS-friendly resume template uses a clean layout with standard section headings like Work Experience, Education, and Skills. It avoids tables, graphics, and text boxes that confuse parsing software. All SoundCV templates are tested against common ATS systems so your resume content gets read accurately, not garbled or skipped.

Are these resume templates free to download?

Yes. SoundCV offers free resume templates you can edit and download without a credit card. Premium templates include additional layouts and design options. Both free and premium templates use the same ATS-optimized structure, so your resume will pass automated screening regardless of which plan you choose.

Which resume format works best in 2026?

The reverse-chronological format remains the strongest choice for most job seekers in 2026. It lists your most recent experience first, which is what recruiters and ATS systems expect. If you have career gaps or are switching industries, a hybrid format gives you more flexibility without sacrificing readability.

Can I customize the colors and fonts?

Yes. Every template lets you change accent colors, font styles, section order, and layout. Changes apply in real time so you see exactly what your resume looks like before you download. You can also add, remove, or reorder sections (certifications, languages, projects) to match the job you are applying for.

How do I choose the best resume template for my industry?

Use the filter pills above the template grid to narrow by style. ATS templates work best for corporate and technical roles. Creative templates suit design, marketing, and media positions. Two-column templates are popular in finance and consulting. If you are unsure, pick a clean single-column template. It works across every industry and passes every ATS.

Can I upload my old resume?

Yes. Upload a PDF or Word file and SoundCV fills your details into the template you choose, so you only polish instead of retyping.

Can I change the template after I start?

Yes. Switch at any time from the Design tab. Your content moves to the new design without retyping.

Your next job starts with the right first page

Choose a template now. You can change everything later.

Choose a templateUpload my resume