Having your resume at hand is crucial when you apply for jobs. There will be times when you need to make a quick edit, save it in a different format, or share it with a potential employer, and to do any of these things quickly you’ll need to have access to your resume file.
Google Docs offer several features, including a resume builder and cover letters, that make it easy to create a professional resume. This guide provides you with the basics of creating a Google Docs resume and 19 free Google Docs resume templates to get you started.
Google Docs is a free web-based service which allows you to create, edit and store documents online. It’s becoming preferable to other word processors for its myriad features that offer convenience, shareability and easy collaboration. Google Docs even has a free resume builder that will plug your information into one of its creative resume templates. You can conveniently access your Google Docs resume online from any device with an internet connection. And, its automatic-save feature ensures that you’ll never lose your work. This guide provides you with the basics of creating a Google Docs resume plus 19 free Google Docs resume templates to get you started.
Stylized two-column template rolls together work experience and education; ideal for self-educated creative professionals. Bold section headers draw the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager to the candidate's skills. Google Docs exports documents in multiple formats, making it easy to submit the correct file type to a hiring manager. The app’s sharing features allow you to quickly share your resume online with employers and recruiters. To remove any concerns that the recipient may not be able to view your resume, you can choose to generate a link that can be included in an email.
Boast
Google offers a resume-builder tool that you can use to create a professional document. No matter your skill with technology or graphic design, Google’s Resume Builder is easy to use and a great tool to take advantage of.
Whether you choose to create a resume from scratch, use Google Docs Resume Builder or go with a resume template, you first need to create a Gmail account. It’s free and takes only a few seconds.
Once you access Google’s Resume Builder, you’ll be prompted to sign into your Google Drive account. Enter the appropriate information to access your resume. The builder also offers a selection of resume templates from which to choose and inputs your information right into the template.
Google Resume Builder is connected to your Google Drive account and will automatically save your resume there.
Among Google Docs’ features is the ability to format your resume to best highlight your work experience and skills. Here are a few tips for formatting your Google Docs resume.
Clear Formatting: If you’re transferring text over from a previous resume, the Clear Formatting button is your friend. Simply copy the text from your previous resume and paste it into your Google Docs resume template. Highlight the text, right-click, then click Clear Formatting. The tool will match all of your text to the default style in your resume, saving you time from manually changing the font, size and color of your resume.
Copy Format: You may choose to copy the format of a line of text in your Google Docs resume. To do this, simply click the Paint Format icon on the left-hand side of the toolbar. Highlight the text you’d like to apply the formatting to. Double-clicking the icon locks the format into place, so every piece of text you click will change to the new format.
Tab Stops: Google Docs allows you to easily control spacing and text placement on your resume with tab stops. Resume layouts often incorporate tab stops to present important information neatly. For example, you may choose to left-align important dates on your resume by adding a left-tab stop, so your dates are all aligned with each other.
Revision History: The Google Docs Revision History feature is useful for job seekers because it allows you to see any previous changes that have been made to your Google Docs resume. You can see what’s changed in a file and restore your resume to a previous version, making it easy to fix any mistakes.
To check your revision history, at the top, click File > See revision history. Then click a timestamp in the right panel to see a previous version of your resume. If you like, you can restore your resume by clicking Restore this revision > Restore.
Restoring your resume to a previous version does not erase any other versions of your document. This version will move to the top of your revision history. All previous versions, including the current version, are still available.
If you’ve been doing a lot of editing on your Google Docs resume or sharing it with others for their feedback, the Revision History feature will be helpful to keep track of any changes made. With Revision History, you can see who edited the file and any changes made in the color next to their name.
Employers can even discover your resume online if you choose to make it public. Google will automatically index your resume to be included in its search results, allowing potential employers to find your information. Make sure to restrict access to the document to “view only” before making it public so that only you are able to make edits to your resume.
Several companies are now conducting their job searches online to save costs. Many industries and government organizations even ask job seekers to post their resumes online in a specific format. Since companies are looking to hire quickly, having your Google Docs resume online and set to “public” makes it easier for recruiters to find you.
Take advantage of our free Google Doc resume templates to start creating your professional resume. Our template gallery has 19 professional designs to choose from with various resume templates and styles.
Keep in mind that you do not receive editing or ownership rights for these resume templates. Our free resumes will open in “view only” mode. In order to make changes to the resume templates, you will first need to create a copy.
Simply select File > Make a copy > OK. The template copy will be saved to your Google Drive. You can then make any changes you want to this copy.
Clean and simple text-based layout with space to highlight projects. This Google Doc template is perfect for creative professionals looking to call attention to specific pieces of work.
Free resume template where graphic and bold design helps accentuate professional skills with room to display your portfolio.
Elegant two-toned template with space to list academic and professional awards and achievements. The subtle use of a calm accent color is both eye-catching and polished.
Two-column functional resume design allows job seekers to easily highlight job-related aptitudes in a clean and easy-to-read one-page layout. The background color of the right-hand column helps to emphasize key skills.
Unique resume layout that places the candidate's headshot front and center. Well-suited to customer service and sales professionals who need to convey their personalities as well as their professional achievements.
Simple and straightforward template with no frills. Particularly well-suited to conservative professions that value substance over style.
Elegant four-row layout that draws attention to the candidate's professional attributes and skills through a clean, graphic display.
Skills-based layout ideal for creative and technical professionals. Well-suited to highlight experience with particular software and professional proficiencies.
Clean layout with an emphasis on the candidate's objectives and detailed descriptions of work experience. Perfect resume template for those professionals with a shorter, but more complex work history.
Streamlined table-based template with a pleasing color scheme helps to cleanly delineate between a candidate's educational background, work history and professional skill set.
Visually concise layout that makes space for a wide range of information on work history, education, awards and skills. Ideal for those candidates who have a lot of information to convey, but want to keep their resume to a single page.
Clean, simple and professional layout that emphasizes education. Perfect for recent graduates with a short work history who want to highlight their academic accomplishments.
High-impact colorful design with various serif and sans serif typefaces. This striking template is a perfect fit for sales and marketing professionals looking to highlight their skill set.
Well-rounded template with space for personal information, an objective statement, work experience, education and skills.
Bold and striking text-based resume template that follows a traditional two-page layout. Ideal for professionals with a long work history to outline.
Straightforward two-column layout designed to make it easy for those reviewing the resume to quickly access work and academic history. Ideal for candidates with extensive job experience.
Stylish table-based template allows for clear delineation between the candidate's objective statement, work experience, education and skills while employing a color scheme that is striking and professional.
Straightforward chronological template with emphasis on biographical information; well-suited for professionals with a long work history and qualifications to highlight.
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