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Simple Resume Templates for 2023 (Free Downloads and Writing Tips)
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Free Simple Chronological Resume Templates
If you have a decade or more of uninterrupted work experience, a chronological resume format will highlight your vast experience. The templates below are free and ready to use. Just download and edit in your word processor or by using our resume builder.
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Neat
A compact, dynamic layout with red text draws attention to this template.
Good for:
graphic designers, marketing managers and art directors
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Upfront
With a sleek font and lots of white space, this simple resume template is ideal for candidates with lots of work experience.
Good for:
real estate agents, receptionists and journalists
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Subtle Creativity
A traditional simple resume format with light orange headers and subtle gray titles.
Good for:
graphic designers, corporate writers or administrative professionals
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Broad Appeal
Margin columns for titles and headings provide lots of space for detailed job and skills descriptions in this free downloadable simple resume format.
Ideal for:
business, industrial or vocational professionals
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Commencing
The white space, blue section divider lines and large, bold section titles make this a standout yet serious simple resume template.
Good for:
manufacturing workers, teachers and restaurant servers
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Indent Line
A small pop of color and creative use of indent adds a twist to this traditional design.
Ideal for:
human resources managers, loan officers and paralegals
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Creative Conventions
A compact simple resume template layout adds visual appeal with red and blue fonts and creative bullet points.
Great for:
IT managers, mechanical engineers or financial analysts
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Fresh Take
Bold headings with vertical divider lines and blue titles focus the reader on this simple resume content.
Good for:
social media managers, UX designers and animators
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Stately
Subtle orange titles and blocks and sans serif font make this a stately simple resume template.
Excellent for:
personal bankers, architects and superintendents
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Accomplished
Check the boxed bullets and tick off all of your great career highlights. In this one-column simple resume with blue section divider lines.
Ideal for:
research marketing managers, journalists and sales managers
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No Point Left Out
A two-column simple resume layout with light blue titles and dashed section lines offers ample space for multiple sections.
Ideal for:
software developers, business analysts and web designers
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Bold Red Shading
This simple resume template has red shadings and a gray background paired with an awards section.
Great for:
real estate agents, videographers and fashion designers
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Packed Classic
Blue-shaded headers add a design flair to this simple resume template with lots of space for summary text and bulleted lists.
Good for:
business analysts, medical assistants and IT professionals
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Blue Pop
Thin and thick blue lines define each squared section and its headings in bold with white fonts make this simple resume template pop.
Ideal for:
financial analysts, statisticians and accountants
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Beaming
Light brown headings and vertical bright green dashed lines catch the eye and break content into easy-to-read sections in this simple resume template.
Great for:
copywriters, public relations officers and editors
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Check Mark Timeline
This simple resume template offers bold, open squares while thin black lines divide this two-column page layout.
Excellent for:
private bankers, auditors and account managers
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Next Level
A simple creative resume template with a business feel.
Good for:
sales associates, restaurant managers and video producers.
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Tidy
This streamlined simple resume layout offers ample and tidy space for your work experience.
Good for:
teachers, sales representatives and product managers
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Industry Lifer
An excellent simple resume template for those who have been in one industry for several years.
Good for:
construction managers, attorneys and doctors
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Cosmopolitan
Serif font softens this packed one-column simple resume layout.
Great for:
research assistants, school administrators and translators
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Elegant Traditional
A simple yet elegant style, this simple resume template is great for the creative industry.
Ideal for:
curators, wedding planners and personal assistants
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Pretty in Pink
This simple one-column resume template pops with a pink color block design.
Great for:
cosmetologists, elementary school teachers and daycare workers
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Bold Red
The traditional layout with bold and italic fonts gives this simple resume template an air of sophistication.
Ideal for:
executive assistants, chefs and legal secretaries
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My Name Is
The placement size and bold text really make your name pop on this simple resume template, while the rest remains toned down.
Great for:
actors, sales representatives and news reporters
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Simple Underline
The use of bold text, simple colors, underlines and spacing makes this simple resume template an effortless read.
Ideal for:
purchasing managers, civil engineers and payroll managers
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Striking
Bold section titles with arrow points and light maroon titles give life to this simple resume template.
Good for:
brand managers, customer service representatives and producers
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Offset
Download this free simple resume template with a balanced layout and space for multiple sections.
Good for:
customer service representative, pharmacy technician and dental assistant
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Professional Block
This block-and-bulleted simple resume template offers a professional-looking style.
Good for:
software developers, patient coordinators and retail manager
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Simple Red
Color contrast and different font types dictate the style and impact of this simple resume.
Good for:
construction workers, security supervisors and construction workers
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Academia
This simple resume template packs a lot of information while remaining streamlined.
Good for:
freelance writers, tutors and project accountants
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Plus IT
Lines and plus signs frame this simple resume template giving it a technological feel.
Good for:
technical support officers, network engineers and full-stack developers
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Breezy
An open and airy one-column format centered on the page of this simple resume template.
Best for:
customer experience managers, event specialists and au pairs
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Caption It
This simple resume template has oversized captions and a space for a small profile photo.
Good for:
copywriters, creative directors and graphic designers
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Mono Shading
A simple resume template with a one-column layout with monochromatic shading to highlight sections.
Good for:
financial officers, system administrators and staffing coordinators
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Burgeoning
With light-blue titles and bold headings, these simple resume templates make great use of white space.
Good for:
baristas, babysitters or line cooks
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Simple Central
Download this free simple resume template with large, bold headings and a centralized layout.
Good for:
teacher’s aides, baristas and cashiers
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Moving Up
Offset sections balance out this simple resume template with the help of white space.
Best for:
business intelligence analysts, leasing consultants and legal assistants
Free Simple Functional Resume Templates
When you have the skills and are looking to gain experience, a functional resume format can help you get in the door. Also called a skills-based resume, this format highlights your knowledge while downplaying a limited work history.
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Substantial
This simple resume template has thin margins with stacked sections that provide lots of room for all of your achievements.
Great for:
project managers, human resources specialists and general managers
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Top Level
Thin page borders and section divider lines with bold titles provide this simple resume template with an executive feel.
Ideal for:
technical project managers, directors and scrum masters
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In A Nutshell
This simple template compact resume layout packs a lot of important information across different sections.
Good for:
corporate recruiters, bank branch managers and key account managers
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Raise the Bar
A simple resume template with a dynamic layout and customizable graphs.
Good for:
software developers, medical assistants and data analysts
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Space It Out
The white space and classic black and blue fonts give this simple resume template a very organized look.
Ideal for:
administrative assistants, school principals and case managers
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Classic Elegance
This simple resume template has a modern feel with simplicity and smart organization.
Good for:
customer service managers, receptionists and technical writers
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Section Lines
Bold green lines and a touch of orange give this simple template a warm feel.
Best for:
librarian, high school teacher and social worker
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Traditional Plus
This one-column simple resume template has ample space and custom sections like credentials and professional affiliations.
Good for:
counselors, dentists and cosmetologists
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No-Nonsense
A free downloadable simple resume with the right shade of light blue for a serious tone.
Appropriate for:
paralegals, tax preparers and bank branch managers
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Nontraditional
The white space of this simple resume template and the balance between light blue, light gray and black give this traditional template personality.
Good for:
bank tellers, office managers and recruiters
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Skilled
A simple one-column resume template with a straightforward style and an ample summary of qualifications section.
Best for:
web developer, chief operating officer and project coordinators
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Career Starter
This free downloadable simple resume template has complementary hues of blue and orange.
Good for:
medical assistant, middle school teacher and pediatrician
Free Simple Combination Resume Templates
A combination resume format helps showcase your career and skills equally. It’s the best format choice for candidates with some experience and those who are looking to change industries. Download one of these free resume templates to change the course of your career.
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Bulletin
This simple resume template lends a decisive and authoritative tone, without being overbearing or fussy.
Good for:
news reporters, CAD designers and marketing managers
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Discreetly Modern
A simple resume template with a structured layout and graphs to identify the level of skills you possess.
Good for:
data analysts, engineers or software developers
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Firm
This two-column simple resume template offers a rail on the side to add plenty of skills.
Good for:
journalists, high school teachers and medical assistants
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Award Winner
This simple resume template provides the option to include a profile photo and an awards section.
Perfect for:
brand managers, news reporters and actors
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Aristocratic
This stylish simple resume template has multiple columns for a packed yet organized resume.
Ideal for:
sales managers, purchasing agents and key account managers
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Executive Elegant
A simple resume template with a classic layout and high-end executive feel.
Good for:
chief operating officers, IT managers and private bankers
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Bold Simplicity
A centralized layout and subtle details make this downloadable free simple resume template stand out.
Good for:
Illustrators, editors and social media managers
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Polished
A simple resume template with a three-columned skills section and added sections like certificates and licenses.
Good for:
administrative assistants, technical writers and patient care coordinators
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Split Page
This two-column simple template uses white space to add sleekness to its design.
Ideal for:
executive assistants, business analysts and public relations officers
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New Agenda
The rigid structure of this simple resume template is balanced by the fresh feel of its light-colored, sans serif fonts.
Ideal for:
web developers, financial analysts and auditors
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Check It Off
This simple resume template has a wide skills section and an extensive work history section.
Good for:
developers, data analysts and physical therapists
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Airy Traditional
Download this free simple resume template with a three-column layout and added custom sections.
Ideal for:
account managers, supply chain managers and IT project managers
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Inverse
This simple resume template offers an unusual and dynamic layout; great for creatives
Perfect for:
directors, graphic designers and art directors
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Solid Segments
A simple resume template with a contemporary two-column design and structured text blocks.
Perfect for:
UX designers, counselors and writers
How to Write a Simple Resume
These steps will help you build a strong structure for your simple resume. Our guide will teach you about the type of content you should include and what measures you can take to achieve an impeccable design.
1. Select the appropriate format.
A simple resume template can be created in any of our three resume formats — chronological, combination or functional. The one you choose should be dictated by your level of work experience. If you have a long and consistent work history, opt for the chronological format, which will put the resume’s focus on your job experience. This is the most commonly used format, so it’s what recruiters and applicant tracking systems are used to. The functional format, also known as the skills-based resume, is ideal for candidates with no previous experience and those who are changing industries. It works because it highlights your skills while downplaying your work history. If you want to showcase both your skills and work history, you should try the combination format. Check out our resume format guide to learn more about which format benefits you.
2. Include your key sections.
All resumes need to include five key sections: contact information, professional summary, work history, skills and education.
Work history: Build up your work history by including quantifiable achievements. Instead of listing duties and responsibilities, quantify them with percentages, numbers and dollars. For example, you could say: “Developed 15+ marketing campaigns to increase social media engagement by 35% within the target audience.”
Skills: Include a diverse selection of skill types: soft skills, hard skills and technical skills. Soft skills refer to the way you behave and how you do your work. Hard skills are learned through education or practical experience. Technical skills comprise your ability to work with specific technologies. Not sure if it counts as a skill? Our skills guide can help.
Professional summary: Pack your two-to-three sentences with action verbs and direct phrases. Write your professional summary in the present tense. List your top three skills and most impactful accomplishments. Don’t forget to include quantifiable achievements here as you would do in a work history entry.
Education: Always include the standard degree name, institution and location. Avoid adding your graduation date, so employers can’t create biases when deciding to hire you.
Contact information: This is how the employer will get in touch with you; make sure there are no errors. Include your email, phone number and limit your physical location to city and state. Don’t forget to include a link to your portfolio, professional website, professional social media, or LinkedIn profile. Make sure those accounts are up-to-date and showcase your work in the best way possible before sharing them.
3. Avoid large blocks of text.
Use strong, active phrases and bulleted lists to maintain a clean simple resume template. A cluttered resume is harder to read. Using bullet points on your document will make your accomplishments stand out.
4. Be consistent with your design.
A simple template shouldn’t have too many different elements, such as fonts, colors, or bold and underlined text. Choose just one color and one font to maintain a uniform design. Not sure what font to select? Take a look at our resume fonts guide. Only bold important elements, like your name and key section titles.
5. Keep the simple style with minimalistic designs.
If you want to add a design, opt for a minimalistic option. A subdued pop of color or a sleek line is more than enough to elevate your simple resume template from boring to sharp. Find inspiration by checking out more resume examples.
Resume Dos and Don’ts
A well-written resume can make the difference between getting looked over or getting the interview. To make sure your simple resume stands out and draws the attention of the hiring manager, check out our resume writing Dos and Don’ts. To learn even more, check out our guide on How to Write a Resume.
Do’s
- Use simple phrasing.
- Leave white space in the resume to make it easy on the eyes.
- Only include essential information.
- Use active verbs (i.e., avoid verbs ending in “-ing”).
- Use short sentences.
- Cut or reword longer text.
- Use bullet points when listing things like skills or achievements.
Don’ts
- Use long blocks of text.
- Include your full street address.
- Use flowery or self-flattering language.
- List achievements or skills in long sentences.
- Use passive language or “-ing” verbs.
FAQ
How should a resume look in 2023?
2023 resumes are all about skills. With so many people out of the workforce in 2020, many workers might not be able to find jobs in the roles they had before. Having a simple resume focused on your skills rather than an inconsistent work history will help you sell yourself better. Remember that you can use a set of skills in multiple industries. These are called transferable skills. Customer service, communication skills and sales are examples of transferable skills that employers in most industries are looking for.
How do you sell yourself in less than 25 words?
The key to selling yourself in less than 25 words is to make each word and phrase of your statement count. Whether you’re writing a summary statement, a career objective or a pitch, follow these tips:
- Use direct, action verbs; write active sentences where you perform a task that elicited positive results.
- Mention your top three skills.
- Establish a problem your employer had and how you solved it.
- Close with a strong call to action to your employer.
What is the difference between Simple and Basic resume templates?
In our Hloom library, the difference between simple and basic resumes lies in how much design is applied to the templates. Basic templates are the most straightforward option. They are usually black and white, with traditional fonts and a one-column layout. Simple templates can include a pop of color or a two-column layout if you want a more current yet subdued design.
How far back should a resume go?
This will all depend on the job you’re applying for. It’s important to personalize a resume to the job posting. A rule of thumb is ten to 15 years if there are no gaps and all the work history relates to the position. If you have gaps or experience in different industries, check out a functional resume, where the skills are highlighted.
How do you make a resume if you have no experience?
Experience from an internship, volunteering or even life experiences can help create a resume without professional experience. Also, education, whether traditional, training or a boot camp will also help form a resume. Check out our guide on how to write a resume with no experience. You can choose a simple resume template for a professional aesthetic. Don’t forget that a cover letter can help you address any issues and help the employer get to know you.
What is the easiest resume format?
The easiest and best resume format is the one that fits your work experience. If you have little to no experience, use a functional resume. If you have between three to ten years of experience, use a combination resume. For workers with a decade or more experience, a chronological resume is the best option. A simple resume template helps to keep a clean look, regardless of the format.
How do you write a simple resume?
To keep your resume content simple, make sure to include strong words instead of long phrases to get the point across. For example, instead of “helped monitor the operations made by the business,” write “monitored business operation.” Keep your skills list between six to eight and include bullet points for description. Use our How to Write a Resume guide for more tips.
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