So, you’re ready to make your resume. But after seeing all those wild designs online — bright colors, fancy graphics, and headshots that look like they belong on Tinder — you just want something classic. Something hiring managers actually expect. Why take risks with your future? Save your creativity for your free time, not for a resume that could make or break getting your dream job.
You need a straightforward, easy-to-read resume that lays out your experience, education, and skills without making recruiters squint. No weird fonts, no fluff. Just a solid, well-structured document that gets you hired.
Sound good? Here’s what we’ll cover:
- 5 simple Rezi resume templates.
- Basic templates from Microsoft Word, Canva, and Google Docs.
- A step-by-step guide to writing your resume.
If you want to skip the searching and get a free, ATS-friendly resume fast, try our AI Resume Builder. And if you need extra help, check out these guides:
- Tips on Updating Your Resume
- Writing a Career Change Resume
- Using ChatGPT to Create a Great Resume
- Tips for Writing a Resume with No Experience
- How to Show Off Your Work Ethic on Your Resume
Basic Rezi Resume Templates
Who says basic has to be boring? These tried-and-tested resume templates are simple, effective, and built to highlight your best experience without wasting space. For even more options, check out our full collection of ATS-friendly resume templates.
Here are our top choices for basic Rezi resume templates:
Simple resume template
This simple, well-structured design outlines your skills and experiences while keeping sections easy to scan. It’s a great choice for students, entry-level job seekers, and professionals in traditional fields who want a professional look.
Modern resume template
This sleek resume uses a pop of blue to highlight job titles, making it perfect for showcasing career progression. It’s ideal for tech, marketing, or any field that values innovation and style.
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Creative resume template
A subtle color at the top of the resume adds personality while keeping the design professional. This resume optimizes space without making it look too text-heavy.
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Compact resume template
Designed for professionals with extensive experience, this resume helps you fit key details onto a single page. Its structured layout ensures clarity without looking cluttered.
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Harvard resume template
This timeless, professional resume template oozes sophistication. With center-aligned headings for easy readability, it’s ideal for business, academia, and mid to senior-level professionals aiming for high-level roles.
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Basic MS Word Resume Templates
Microsoft Word offers plenty of free resume templates — even without a subscription. You can edit them directly in Word or download them and tweak them in Google Docs. For more options, check out the Microsoft template gallery.
Here are our favorite basic MS Word resume templates:
Classic resume template
This simple, structured resume is built for ATS success. To improve readability, place job titles before dates, use bullet points to highlight your job achievements, and list only your city and state — no need for your full address.
Professional resume template
This basic resume template comes with helpful instructions to guide you as you fill in your details. Its simple layout uses section dividers and ample spacing to keep your key information clear and easy to find. Perfect for those who value directness and clarity.
ATS resume template
This resume template also includes handy tips on what to include in each section. The clear header ensures your contact details stand out. It’s perfect for those with limited experience, as it won’t look too empty but there’s also enough space to talk about extracurriculars, relevant coursework, and any volunteer or internship work.
Basic management resume template
The line divider in this resume creates a tidy, organized look and provides extra space to highlight important details, like your work experience. Leave out the “references available upon request” line and instead of separate sections for communication and leadership skills, weave them into your work experience with bullet points.
Standard resume template
This resume packs a lot of information without feeling cramped. Keep the spacing consistent as you edit. Condense your summary to two or three sentences, and use bullet points to make your work achievements more scannable.
Structured resume template
This resume is neatly divided into clear sections. It works well if you have one key job to highlight and other roles showcasing transferable skills. Use bullet points throughout to keep everything easy to scan, especially in the work history section.
Bold resume template
This bold, ATS-friendly resume makes key details stand out at a glance with its no-frills layout. If you have extensive experience, replace the objective with a summary to detail your top achievements and enthusiasm for the role.
Basic resume template
This well-organized resume uses a subtle blue font to spotlight job titles and degrees. It has plenty of space to show off your hard and soft skills. Skip the activities section unless you’re light on experience — the space can be used for more relevant details instead
Classic creative resume template
This versatile resume template works across various industries. Its clear sections and generous white space keep the focus on key details. Use bullet points to break up your work history descriptions.
Modern bold resume template
The bold headings on this resume command attention while maintaining a professional look. Move your contact information directly under your name for better visibility. If you have relevant experience, keep your education section brief — just list your degree, institution, and graduation year.
ATS basic resume template
This minimalist resume works well for entry-level and experienced job seekers across any industry. The green section dividers add a welcome splash of color while keeping the layout organized and skimmable.
Basic Canva Resume Templates
Canva offers a variety of free resume templates that you can easily customize after signing up. Its user-friendly interface lets anyone create a polished resume quickly, even without design experience. If you want more options, you can upgrade to a Canva Pro account.
Here are our top picks of the best basic Canva resume templates:
Black and white resume template
This classic resume template lets you talk about two key jobs in detail or three in less depth. Don’t describe what your company does — focus on your achievements instead to make the most of the space.
White burgundy resume template
The purple in this resume adds a sophisticated, professional touch. Keep your resume summary concise in just two or three sentences. Also, consider listing your skills in a standard format rather than using boxes, as ATS may have trouble scanning them.
Vibrant blue resume template
The color breaks up the text, making key details stand out. If you have plenty of experience, skip the extras about your education — like your GPA or being the lead violinist in the school orchestra. Focus on what matters for the job.
Student resume template
This simple resume template is perfect for students or recent grads. Emphasize your degree, relevant coursework, extracurriculars, and job experience. For better flow, list sections in this order: education, experience, skills, and extra languages (leave out your native one). And make sure you have a strong resume objective.
Muted green corporate resume template
This well-structured resume is ATS-friendly, but specificity is key. Instead of just listing “programming languages,” name the ones you’ve used — in your summary, experience, and skills section. Focus on measurable achievements, and make sure your name stands out as the largest text (size 20–24 pt works best).
Minimalist modern resume template
This modern resume is easy to navigate, with a clear header that outlines your contact details. Remove the references section to free up space for more relevant experience. Aim for at least three bullet points under each job to showcase your key achievements.
Marketing resume template
The subtle pop of color in this resume makes it contemporary and professional. Aim for three to eight bullet points per job, and don’t forget to include a skills section at the end.
Monochrome resume template
This resume is ideal for beginners or career changers, with space for one or two jobs. Rather than just listing duties, focus on your achievements and how you contributed to past employers’ success. Also, condense your summary to two or three impactful sentences.
Simple resume template
This resume is simple to navigate, thanks to its gray headers and bullet points. It highlights your skills effectively, but a more streamlined structure would be: summary, experience, education, technical skills, and additional information.
White and black resume template
This no-frills resume puts the spotlight on your experience. Since it doesn’t include a resume summary, consider adding one under your contact details to describe your key achievements, skills, and enthusiasm for the role. If you’re light on experience, a resume objective is a great alternative.
Basic Google Docs Resume Templates
Google Docs has a small but reliable set of five resume templates — all simple and polished with just a hint of color.
Here’s a list of the professional and basic Google Docs resume templates:
Swiss resume template
The Swiss resume features a sleek one-column layout, dividers, and a touch of orange. Add a resume summary or objective beneath the header to emphasize your achievements, skills, and excitement about the role. You can also improve your work experience section by replacing the short descriptions with bullet points.
Serif resume template
The Serif resume template has plenty of space for work experience and projects, so include three to eight bullet points per job to detail your achievements. Since ATS may struggle with columns, use larger headings (14–16 pt) to make your sections clearer.
Coral resume template
This resume has great potential, with colorful headings for easy skimming. Make your name the largest text (20–24 pt). Outline achievements for each job, not just duties. If you have extensive experience, consider placing your skills below your education section.
Spearmint resume template
The bold green headings give this resume a touch of personality while maintaining professionalism. If space is limited, consider putting your contact details on one line. Add a resume objective if you’re light on experience or a summary if you have plenty. List your skills in bullet points (instead of a paragraph) under your education section.
Modern writer resume template
The modern writer resume template is ideal for creative fields, featuring a playful coding-inspired font and pink accents. The focus on company names and locations is great if you’ve held the same job title across multiple companies or want to highlight impressive employers. Include at least three bullet points per job to show off your achievements.
How to Write Your Basic Resume
In short: keep your resume simple, structured, and tailored to the job. Choose an ATS-friendly template with clear headings and minimal design. Format it well — use professional fonts (Arial, Calibri), reverse chronological order, and concise bullet points. Include essential sections like a header, summary or objective, experience, education, and skills. Focus on achievements by using action verbs and measurable results. Customize your resume for each job by incorporating relevant keywords and prioritizing experience that aligns with the role.
1. Choose a basic resume template
A simple, professional template makes your resume easy to read for employers and ATS. The goal is to be clear and impactful.
What this means for you:
- Keep it simple and ATS-friendly. Go for a straightforward layout with clear headings and minimal design. Avoid fancy fonts, graphics, or multiple columns that might confuse ATS.
- Match it to your industry. Creative fields allow for some flair, while finance and law favor traditional designs. If you’re entry-level, pick a format that focuses on skills and education. For experienced professionals, showcase your career progression.
2. Format your resume
A well-structured resume makes it easy for employers to find what matters — your skills and experience.
What this means for you:
- List your experience in reverse chronological order and use clear section headings like “Experience” and “Skills”.
- Pick a professional font (Arial, Calibri) at 10–12 pt for body text and 14–16 pt for headings, with one-inch margins and single or 1.15 spacing.
- Aim for a one-page resume, use bullet points, and skip unnecessary details like photos, full addresses, or references.
3. Include the essential details
Your resume should be easy to scan with all the essential sections in a logical order. If you have limited experience, placing your education before your work history can better showcase your background.
What this means for you:
- Start with a resume header that includes your name, city/state, phone, email, and LinkedIn (plus a portfolio link if relevant).
- Write a concise summary or objective (two or three sentences) that outlines your experience, skills, and achievements. (Or let our AI Summary Generator help.)
- Use clear sections for work experience, education, skills, and any extras like certifications, awards, or languages if they add value.
4. Focus on your achievements
Hiring managers want to see the impact you’ve made, not just a list of tasks. Show how you made a difference.
What this means for you:
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “optimized,” “led”, or “implemented,” and add numbers when possible (e.g. “boosted efficiency by 25%, saving 10+ hours per week”).
- Emphasize real results — whether that’s improving customer satisfaction, saving costs, increasing efficiency, or leading a team. For example, “trained 5 new employees, improving team performance and reducing onboarding time by 30%.”
For more tips, check out our guide on How to Show Off Your Resume Achievements.
5. Customize your resume for each job
A generic resume won’t cut it — tailoring your resume shows you understand the role, helps you beat the ATS, and proves you’re a great fit.
What this means for you:
- Take keywords from the job description (skills, qualifications) and naturally weave them into your summary, experience, and skills sections.
- Prioritize past roles, achievements, and projects that directly relate to the job. If the job values leadership, describe times you’ve managed teams or trained employees.
Summary
Here’s an overview of the best tips for building your resume with a basic template:
- Use bullet points, clear headings, and a structured, ATS-friendly layout with standard fonts to make your resume easy to scan.
- Place your name and contact details at the top, followed by a professional summary or objective, experience, education, and skills in a logical order that best highlights your strengths.
- Emphasize measurable achievements rather than describing duties in previous roles.
- Customize your resume for each job by incorporating relevant keywords and experiences.
- Aim for a one-page resume to be concise, unless you have extensive experience.
- Balance text and white space to ensure readability and a professional look.
- Avoid outdated or unnecessary details, like your street address, references, or a photo.
- Use a professional yet subtle design — color accents, line dividers, and bold headings can enhance readability without distracting from the content.
FAQ
What is the best format for a beginner resume?
Use a reverse-chronological format for clarity and flow. Begin with your contact information, an objective statement, and education (with relevant coursework or projects). Then, list experience (internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work) and finish with skills, certifications, or extracurriculars. If you have work experience, put it before education and focus on accomplishments over responsibilities.
Which template do most employers prefer for resumes?
Most employers prefer a simple, professional, and ATS-friendly resume template. That means no fancy fonts, graphics, or complex layouts that make it hard to read. A single-column format with clear headings, bullet points, and a logical flow is the safest choice. Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, keep colors minimal, and focus on content over design.
How far back should a resume go?
List your work experience from the past 10–15 years, as employers care most about your recent and relevant roles. Exceptions include executive-level positions, experience at impressive companies, long-term roles, or older experience that’s essential for meeting job requirements.
If you’re still curious, check out How Far Back (How Many Years) Should a Resume Go?
What should not be on your resume?
Leave off personal details like your full address (just city and state are enough), date of birth, or a photo. Don’t include references either — they take up space and hiring managers will ask if they need them. Avoid listing outdated skills (MS-DOS, fax machine proficiency) or irrelevant experience.
What are some key tips for making your resume?
Tailor it to the job by using keywords from the job description to pass ATS filters. Describe your achievements, not your responsibilities, like “increased sales by 20%.” Keep it to one page, use bullet points, and start each bullet point in your work section with action verbs like “developed,” “optimized,” or “implemented.”
How do I write a resume when I’m changing careers?
If you’re switching industries, highlight transferable skills that apply to both fields, like communication, problem-solving, or project management. In your experience section, reframe past roles to emphasize relevant skills and accomplishments that connect to your new industry. Use your resume objective to bridge the gap, explaining how your background and strengths make you a great fit for the new role.
For more on this, explore How to Write a Career Change Resume.
