18 Free Google Docs Resume Templates (and How to Use Them)

Making a resume on Google Docs is free and easy! On this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to write a resume in Google Docs, as well as a collection of Google Docs-friendly free resume templates.

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Premium Google Doc Resume Templates

If you have a Gmail account, you can create a resume through Google Docs. It’s easy when it’s a familiar web application But to stand out from the crowd, use one of our premium Google Docs resume templates.

Simply choose one of the templates, go into our Resume Builder and answer a few questions about your work experience to get the resume started. You don’t need to spend time formatting your resume with our templates; the builder takes care of that! When you’re done making your resume, download it as a Word document or PDF. Then, upload it to Google Docs. It’s a snap.

Check out our collection of premium templates below and keep reading to learn more about how to use Google Docs resume templates.

Pros and Cons of Using Google Docs to Build Your Resume

The familiarity many people have with using Google Docs makes the resume-creating process easier. As with any word processor, there are cons, too. Check out the list below to learn more.

Pros
Cons
Pros
It saves all your documents and allows you to access your resumes online and offline. With its instant-save feature, you don’t lose any part of your document if your computer or internet connection crashes.
Google automatically indexes your resume to be included in its search results, allowing potential employers to find your information.
Documents are easy to share via email without the worry of security threats.
You can access your resume from any device that is connected to your Google account. As long as you log in to your Google account, you can share your resume from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Cons
Google Docs has a very limited collection of resume templates from which to choose.
Their free templates lack essential sections and don’t take resume formats into account.
Google Docs tend to jumble up the formatting of resume templates that weren’t made by Google, making it harder to format some downloaded templates.
There’s some lack of privacy when sharing your document with others. If multiple people have access to your document, they can all view it simultaneously and see who else has seen it and when.

Free Google Docs Resume Templates

Hloom offers a large library of free downloadable Google Docs resume templates!

Press the download button on your preferred template to add it as a saved file on your computer. Then follow these steps to upload and use as Google Docs resume template:

  1. Open Google Drive and click the “New+” button.
  2. Choose the “File Upload” option.
  3. Pick your downloaded template.
  4. Once it completely uploads, click the pop-up bubble with its name.
  5. It will immediately open on a Google Doc window as a DOCX.
  6. Click “File” and “Save as a Google Doc” for easier editing. There you go!

Skills play an important role in the candidate selection process. A well-balanced combination of soft and hard skills can show hiring managers that you are the best candidate for the role. If you’re unsure what skills to include or what even counts as a skill, check out this resume skills guide to learn more about which skills to include in your Google Docs resume. Candidates with no experience, like a high school student, can benefit from learning more about skills.

Don’t forget to include a resume career objective! A career objective is the introduction to your resume and the first impression a recruiter gets of your experience and skills. In three sentences, you will let the employer know: how you’ll contribute to their company, what you hope to accomplish and the knowledge you’ll gain at the position. Make sure to write a strong career objective in your Google Docs resume.

Regardless of which Google Docs resume template you choose, make sure that it showcases your career and highlights your strongest skills by using the right resume format. Candidates with a decade or more of experience should use a chronological resume. Candidates switching industries or without experience often benefit from a functional resume. And if you’re in between, a combination resume format could help you showcase your strongest skills and longest experience.

How to Create a Resume in Google Docs

Follow this step-by-step guide to write a resume using a google docs resume template or one of our downloadable templates.

1. Create a Gmail account if you don’t already have one so you can access Google Drive and Google Docs to create your Google Docs Resume.
1. Create a Gmail account if you don’t already have one so you can access Google Drive and Google Docs to create your Google Docs Resume.
2. Upload your template to Google Drive first. On Google Drive, click New > File Upload. Once your file uploads, click the pop-up bubble with your uploaded template. You’ll see it in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. Once it opens, click File > and Save as a Google Doc for easier editing. If you want to use one of Google Docs resume templates, open Google Docs directly, click “Template Gallery” in the top-right corner and choose your favorite Google Docs resume template. Then replace the filler text with your personal information.
2. Upload your template to Google Drive first.
3. Format your new Google Doc resume. Transferring files to Google Docs can make some templates shift. Go over your template and adjust the margins and line spacing, which are the elements that tend to get altered the most. When copy-pasting text, make sure you choose “Paste without formatting” so the font and size match the text in the document.
3. Format your new Google Doc resume.
4. Add links to your work and portfolio. You can hyperlink to your portfolio or work examples. Go to Format->Link and click on it. A pop-up window will appear In the text box write the phrase you’d like the hiring manager to see, like My Portfolio and in the space below add the link.
4. Add links to your work and portfolio.
5. Personalize your resume by changing the color and font. Whether you’re using one of Google Docs resume templates or a downloaded template, differentiate yourself by using your favorite colors and fonts.
5. Personalize your resume by changing the color and font.
6. Make a copy of your Google Docs resume for each person you send it to prevent the awkwardness of having multiple potential employers seeing your resume at the same time. You can do this by clicking “File” and “Make a copy.” We always recommend you tailor your resume to each job application. With each resume, you should at least change certain keywords and skills and edit your professional summary to reflect the requirements of that particular job.
6. Make a copy of your Google Docs resume for each person you send it to prevent the awkwardness of having multiple potential employers seeing your resume at the same time.
7. Send your resume as a “View Only” document. You can do this by clicking Share, including the email of the person you’re sharing with and changing their status from “Editor” to “Viewer.” This protects you from the person altering your Google Docs resume or personal information.
7. Send your resume as a “View Only” document.

8. Pair it with a cover letter. Give your resume a hand by complementing it with a cover letter that includes any important information and achievements you couldn't fit into your Google Docs resume.

Build Your Resume

Why Use a Resume Builder?

A resume builder is a tool to create a resume or update an existing one. The builder populates your chosen template by filling out information on your career, skills and education.
It automatically fits the information according to your format and spell-checks the entire document. With Hloom’s Resume Builder, you get expertly crafted text suggestions to help you create your resume.

Compared to Google Docs resume templates, our builder offers a wider collection of better-designed templates. Our builder also lets you access your resumes online and offline. It also includes a built-in spell-checker instantly saving your text as you write.

Hloom’s Resume Builder also offers the assurance of having an applicant tracking system (ATS) compliant resume. ATS is software companies use to collect, read and rank resumes according to their specific criteria.

If the ATS cannot read your resume, it will not rank favorably, and you will not move on in the interviewing process, even if you have the necessary background for the position. With Hloom’s Resume Builder, you can choose an ATS-compliant template, which only needs to be filled with your information. You can use the suggested text to facilitate the resume-creation process.

Check out how Hloom’s Resume Builder compares to creating a resume with Google Docs below:

  • Google Docs
  • Hloom
  • Online and offline access to your documents
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  • Saves your content as you type
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  • Large selection of templates
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  • Spell-checks text
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  • Content suggestions for specific jobs
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  • Automatically formats resume to one-page
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  • Assurance of an ATS compliant format
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  • Google Docs
  • Online and offline access to your documents
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  • Saves your content as you type
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  • Large selection of templates
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  • Spell-checks text
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  • Content suggestions for specific jobs
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  • Automatically formats resume to one-page
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  • Assurance of an ATS compliant format
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  • Hloom
  • Online and offline access to your documents
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  • Saves your content as you type
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  • Large selection of templates
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  • Spell-checks text
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  • Content suggestions for specific jobs
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  • Automatically formats resume to one-page
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  • Assurance of an ATS compliant format
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Refined Build a Resume
Refined

This simple layout features a traditional font and the clever use of section borders to help each section of your resume stand out.

Standout Build a Resume
Standout

This distinctive two-column resume template identifies your name and professional experience in a bold color and clean presentation.

Original Build a Resume
Original

A clever design that breaks each of your professional accomplishments into distinct sections while following a format that will pass applicant tracking systems.

Acclaimed Build a Resume
Acclaimed

The elegant initials, simple header and strategic use of bullet points in this template help keep your professional accomplishments well-organized.

Accentuate Build a Resume
Accentuate

The bold use of a colorblocked heading paired with an elegant resume layout helps your name and contact information stand out.

Insightful Build a Resume
Insightful

This structured design combines a two-column approach with bullet points to highlight your key accomplishments and professional history.

Whitespace Build a Resume
Whitespace

A traditional template uses a crisp combination of dark text and thin borders to radiate professionalism. Your name sits prominently above your professional history.

Knowledgeable Build a Resume
Knowledgeable

This template’s design features plenty of whitespace neatly divided by gray bars to make the information on your resume easy to read for employers.

Remarkable Build a Resume
Remarkable

This two-column resume conveys a very clear breakdown of its sections that allows a hiring manager to quickly scan your resume.

Bold Build a Resume
Bold

The subtle color accents in this template add visual pizzazz in a classy way, a great option for most traditional industries.

Emphasized Build a Resume
Emphasized

This resume’s modern design and bold use of color make it pop. Its uniqueness is well-suited to those seeking jobs in creative industries.

Centered Build a Resume
Centered

Everything about this template is assertive from the boxy layout to its all-caps heading text that gives the impression that you’re all about business.

Pacific Build a Resume
Pacific

The understated contact information at the top puts attention front and center on your professional summary, skills, work experience and education sections.

Artistic Build a Resume
Artistic

The subtle use of red alongside black gives this template a bold feel while still featuring plenty of white space to make it easy to read.

Build a Resume

FAQ

Does Google have a resume builder?

No. Google doesn’t have a resume builder. Google Docs offers some free resume templates. As an alternative, you can try Hloom’s Resume Builder, which actually guides you step-by-step in the creation of your resume. You can pick a template based on your experience and career as well as add expert written suggested text to complete your document. It also automatically formats to fit on one page.

How do I get more templates for Google Docs?

You can find other templates on pages like this one. Our collection of free downloadable templates and premium templates are all compatible with Google Docs. If you’re looking for more templates, you can check out our 400+ resume templates for Creative resumes, Modern resumes, Basic resumes and Professional resumes.

Is my information safe in Google Docs?

Yes. You can be sure all your information is safe when using Google Docs. When you create a Google Doc, this document is stored in a secured data center. Only people with Google accounts can access Google Docs. The only way someone can view your documents is if you share documents with them directly or share the doc via a link, meaning anyone with the link can access it. This latter option makes it less secure since the person you sent the link to can forward it to other people, giving them access to your Google Doc.

Are there resume templates on Google Docs?

Yes. Google Docs offers five basic resume templates. They are editable and will use the same spell-check as regular documents.

What is the best resume template for Google Docs?

The best resume template will always be the one that showcases your career and skills in the best light. You have to consider your years of experience if you’re changing careers or just starting. Check our guide on How to Write a Resume.

Is Google Docs resume ATS friendly?

The Google Docs resume templates are ATS compliant. These types of resumes are important as more companies rely on ATS software to track their applicants. The software reads and ranks the resumes by searching for keywords found in the job description. If you do not have the right keywords, the ATS will rank you lower and the chances of a person seeing your resume will lower dramatically. Even if you are a qualified candidate, you could miss out on a great interview opportunity.

How do I make a professional resume on Google Docs?

To make a professional resume on Google Docs, download one of our templates specifically designed for Google Docs. You can complete a resume on Hloom’s resume builder and then upload it to Google Docs.

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