Basic & Simple Resume Templates to Download & Edit

When should you use a basic and simple resume format?

A basic and simple resume format is the standard recommendation for most jobs. US employers prefer resumes with clean, simple formatting — and 42% discourage using heavy color or complex design elements.

Simple resume templates are appropriate because they use stripped-down colors and straightforward single-column layouts. These design choices are the only suitable choice for fields like finance, healthcare, government, education, and law. Hiring managers in these industries care more about your qualifications. They’ll be put off by flashy graphic designs.

Why choose our simple resume templates

Our simple resume templates use layouts that are easy to edit — no hidden tables or awkward design elements. With clean structures and industry-standard wording, they’re also designed to pass human reviews and ATS scans with ease.

Here’s why they work so well:

Professional and subtle colors

Each design uses just one or two professional resume colors to ensure your document is clean and readable.

We stick to muted tones like navy, dark gray, and deep green to maintain a professional feel. These discrete choices guide the reader’s eye to key details without making your resume flashy or distracting.

No icons or graphics

Icons, charts, headshots, and logos might appear visually interesting, but they draw attention away from your key information and make your resume harder to follow. They can also scramble your resume if you upload it to an applicant tracking system (ATS).

We skip the clutter. Ample white space, balanced layouts, and clear headers neatly separate your resume sections. We use simple text formatting, indentation, and line spacing to make our resume templates look professional without impacting readability.

Common, readable fonts

Our templates are written with user-friendly fonts like Arial, Inter, Times New Roman, and Lora. These accessible scripts are designed for easy reading and make bullets and paragraphs clear and uncomplicated.

For the right balance of clarity and professionalism, we size body text to 10–12 points, the same as most books and magazines. This makes reading your resume quick and comfortable.

Clear and consistent formatting

Neat formatting matters for a professional first impression, but you shouldn’t let it distract you as you write your resume.

We use uniform spacing, alignment, and section dividers, so your resume’s formatting is watertight from the start. There’s no need to worry about your margins or layout — just fill in your information and consider the job done.

Balanced white space and text

Too much white space and your resume looks empty. Too little and it becomes cluttered and unpleasant to read. We use precise line and paragraph breaks so your qualifications have room to breathe.

Our templates look best when you keep your work experience bullet points under 2 lines long and your resume summary under 5 lines (which is what most employers will expect of you too).

Adjustable layouts

The best length for your resume depends on your experience level, so our templates are designed to look good across one or two pages.

All templates use continuous layouts so you can add as many achievements and qualifications as you need to fully show your fit for the job.

Tools to help you fill in your basic resume template

Write your resume faster with these free tools:

• Resume summary generator: Generates a professional opening paragraph highlighting your key qualifications
• Bullet point generator: Helps you write an impactful work experience section
• Skills generator: Identifies relevant skills based on your job title
• AI resume generator: Creates an initial draft of your resume automatically
• ATS resume checker: Evaluates how well applicant tracking systems can read your resume

How to write a simple yet professional resume

Once you’ve got your template, the process of writing a professional resume is quick and easy.

Here’s how to write each section so you cover everything that employers want to know.

1. List essential contact information

Your header should include the following details:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email
• City & state

Aim to keep this section as brief and uncluttered as possible. All the employer wants to know is how to contact you and where you’re located.

You can add a LinkedIn URL or portfolio link if they strengthen your application, but it’s not expected for most roles.

2. Write a short summary of your qualifications

Give the employer a quick snapshot of who you are and why you’re a good fit for the job. This will help them focus on your most relevant qualifications.

In 2–3 sentences, state your target job title, years of experience, and one or two standout skills or achievements. Tailor it to each job you apply for.

3. Describe your work experience

List your jobs in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent. Most employers expect this resume format and it allows them to easily follow your career growth.

For each role, include these details:

• Job title
• Company name
• Location
• Start and end dates

Use bullet points to describe your work experience. Aim for 3–5 bullet points that describe your most relevant achievements. Prioritize wins that relate to the employer’s needs.

4. Highlight your education

List your highest degree first, along with the school name, location, and graduation date.

If you’re a recent graduate, add your GPA (if strong), honors, or relevant coursework. Otherwise, keep this section brief.

Certifications or licenses relevant to the role can go here too, or in their own separate section:

5. Bullet any essential skills

Create a short list of your skills that match the job posting. Be selective and focus on skills that the employer will actually care about.

Keep your list to under 10 skills so the employer can focus on what matters. Avoid generic soft skills like “communication” and “teamwork.” Focus on skills and technical abilities that prove your ability to handle the responsibilities of the job.

If you need a professional resume fast…

Skip the resume writing entirely by selecting a premium resume template.

Answer a few basic questions about your background and our resume builder will fill out each resume section in clear, professional language. Get a completed application in minutes and download as a PDF, plain text, or MS Word file.

Build My Resume