-
Go to File > New.
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In the search box, type Resume or Cover Letter.
-
Double-click the template you want to use.
-
Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
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On the File menu, select New from Template.
-
In the search box, type Resume or Cover Letter.
-
Double-click the template you want to use.
-
Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
See also
Create and use your own template in Office for Mac
Making a resume like this while you’re online is quick and easy.
Note: This template comes with a cover letter, so you’ll have everything in one document.
Choose one of our resume templates, and open it in Word for the web to make it yours.
Tip: If you’re already in Word for the web, get to the resume and cover letter templates by going to File > New, and then below the template images click More on Office.com.
You’ll be on the Templates for Word page. In the list of categories, click Resumes and Cover Letters.
As you work on the resume, you’ll probably want to rename it.
The template uses a table to line everything up. If you need to add more lines for job experience or education, add rows to the table by going up to Layout under Table Tools and clicking Insert Below (or Insert Above).
For tips on writing your resume, check out Six steps to developing a great resume.
Print it
When you’re finished, print it out or share it online. You can do this with the resume still open in Word for the web. No need to save it first (that’s already done for you).
To print it, press Ctrl+P, and wait for the Print dialog box.
Note: If you don’t see a Print dialog box, click the link for opening a PDF version of your resume. From there, use the PDF program’s Print command.
Share it
To share it online, send a link:
-
Near the top of the screen, click Share.
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Under Share, click Get a Link.
-
Under Choose an option, click View only.
-
Click Create Link.
-
Click on the web address to select it, and then copy and paste it into an email, message, or post.
Download Article
Download Article
Resumes detail a person’s work experience, education, skills and achievements. A good resume that is clear, concise and easy to read is essential when looking for a job. Resumes should be word processed and should be neat and tidy. Microsoft Word offers you the option of creating your resume through templates, but you can also create your resume from scratch using Word’s formatting features.
Sample Resumes
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1
Use a pre-installed template in Word. Begin by opening up a new document in Word by clicking on “New” from the File menu. Once you have opened up the new document menu, you will be able to choose from a large number of templates that are included with the Word software. Click on “Templates” and then select one of the resume templates you see on the page.
- In Word 2007 you will have to click on “installed templates.”
- In Word 2010 it will be “sample templates.”
- In Word 2011 it will be “new from template.”[1]
- In Word 2013 the templates will be displayed when you click on “New.”
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2
Download a resume template in Word. Word comes with a number of pre-installed templates for you to use, but there is a larger choice available through Office Online. It is straightforward to search for resumes templates on this database and download one that you like. Open up a new document and search for “resumes” in the Microsoft Office Online section.
- In Word 2013, after clicking on “New” you will see a number of templates and a search bar which says “search for online templates.”
- After searching you will see a number of different resume templates to try out.
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3
Download a template directly from Office Online. You can view and download templates directly on Office Online without going through Word. Just visit the official website at https://templates.office.com/ and click on the resumes and cover letters section. You will see this section as one of those listed in the module on the left-hand side of the screen that says “Browse by Category.”
- Here you will be able to look through a number of templates for resumes and cover letters that you can download for free and edit in Word.
- You may have to sign in with your Microsoft online account to use these templates.[2]
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4
Complete the template. Once you have decided on a template that looks professional and is appropriate for the kind of work you are looking for, you can delete the default text and add your personal information. Format, layout and presentation are essential for a good resume, but they cannot disguise bad writing, spelling and grammar mistakes.[3]
- Be sure to look carefully at the detail of your resume and proofread it thoroughly.
- All of the versions of Word from 2003 to 2013 all come with some pre-installed templates for resumes.
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5
Create a resume with the wizard (Word 2003 only). If you are using Word 2003 you will also have the option of the using the wizard that was included in the software. The wizard will guide you through the process of writing and formatting your resume. Start by selecting «New» from the File menu. This displays the New Document task pane. You should then select “My Computer» from the Templates section on the left side of the task pane.
- Click on the “Other Documents” tab, and then select “Resume Wizard.”
- Follow the wizard’s instructions. The wizard will walk you through the resume creation process step-by-step
- If you do not see this option, it was not installed when you installed Word, and you will need to run the installation program again to install it.
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1
Know what to include. Resume templates can be very useful if you are uncertain about how to format your resume, or you are not confident using the formatting tools on Word on another word processing programme. If you prefer create your own format and not to use a template, start by planning out which sections you will be including and how they will be organised. A resume should generally include the following sections:
- Education and qualifications.
- Work and volunteer experience.
- Skills and qualities.
- It should also include your full contact details and state that references are available upon request.
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2
Consider a chronological resume. There are a number of different types of resume, including the chronological resume, the functional resume, the combination resume, and the curriculum vitae (CV). The chronological resume lists your work experience from your most recent position to your earliest position, with your responsibilities for each position listed under the position title and dates you held it. This type of resume helps you to show how you have progressed over time.[4]
- Most chronological resumes only cover the last 5 to 10 years of your employment history.
- You may wish to include positions earlier than this if they are appropriate to the job you’re seeking.
- This is the format most American employers prefer to see resumes in.
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3
Be wary of a functional resume. The functional resume lists your key job skills first, then follows with a list of positions you’ve held. It can be useful to highlight your particular skills while hiding gaps in your employment history, but it is generally not advisable for students or recent graduates to use this format.[5]
It can be a useful format for those looking to translate their current job skills into a different field. -
4
Try a combination resume. A third option is the combination resume, sometimes known as a skills-based resume. This format enables you to highlight your skills most prominently, but also to tie them to your practical work experience. This can be helpful if your skills are more relevant than your work experience for the position you are applying for, but this format is unfamiliar to some employers and it is generally preferable to opt for a chronological resume.
- A combination resume might list your key skills at the top before providing a short account of your experiences.
- This type of resume can be helpful for those entering the job market with little work experience, or for those trying to change careers.[6]
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5
Consider a CV. A curriculum vitae serves the same basic purpose of a resume, but there are different conventions that govern how it is written. The curriculum vitae is a comprehensive list of your job experience from your current or most recent position to your earliest. Unlike the chronological or functional resume, which typically run 1 to 2 pages, the CV is as long as it needs to be to encompass your experience.
- The CV is commonly used when applying for positions in Europe, and also when applying for positions at colleges and universities worldwide.
- CVs can be thought of as living documents that records all your work and achievements, which will generally grow and develop over time more than a resume.[7]
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1
Complete your contact information. Once you have decided on your resume you can begin actually writing it up. Start by providing your full contact information at the top of the first page of your resume. Your contact information should include your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
- If your resume extends beyond one page, ensure that your name is in a header on every page.
- Your email address should appropriate for a job application. Use your own name or initials if possible.
- Don’t use something jokey such as «sly-dude,» «foxymama,» or «smokinhot.»
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2
Consider including an objective. After your contact information, you might want to include a one line objective that states you career goal. Employers have mixed opinions on the inclusion of an objective statement, so consider carefully whether or not it adds anything to your resume. If you do decide to include one, make it short and closely focussed to the position you are applying for.
- For example, you might write that your objective is “To contribute to the design of new word processing software.”
- Alternatively it may state the position you hope to attain, such as “A position as in healthcare policy and research.”
- Objectives have become less common, and you may prefer to provide this information in your covering letter.[8]
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3
Outline your education and qualifications. The order you use for the following sections may vary, but in many instances you will start with a statement of your education and qualifications. Here you simply need to detail your qualifications at school and college as appropriate. List the colleges or technical schools you’ve attended, in reverse chronological order. Be sure to give the date you achieved your results.
- You can include a bullet point or two to provide a little further information on your specialism, if it is appropriate for the position you are applying for.
- If you achieved any honours or awards as part of your studying or training include these here.
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4
Detail your work experience. List the positions you’ve held in reverse chronological order, with the start and end dates (month and year). In a chronological resume, the dates should be listed first, while they can be listed after the position title in a functional resume. Pick out the key tasks and responsibilities you had at each position, your accomplishments, and what skills you developed while working there.
- Use bullet points to make sure it is clear and easy to read or scan through for key words relating to the position you are applying.[9]
- You can include volunteer positions if they relate to the job you’re seeking or if you have little paid experience.[10]
- Use bullet points to make sure it is clear and easy to read or scan through for key words relating to the position you are applying.[9]
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5
Have an extra skills section. You will probably find that most of your skills have been covered in your education and experience sections, but it can be a good idea to have a separate skills section. This is an opportunity to highlight any skills and knowledge you have that is relevant to the position, but does not fit in anywhere else in the resume.
- You can title this section as “Other Relevant Skills”, or just “Skills.”
- This could include proficiency in foreign languages, knowledge of particular computer software and programmes, and any other specific skills not previously mentioned.[11]
- Take care to avoid repeating yourself. You don’t need to say you have “excellent communication skills” more than once.
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6
Consider adding references. Generally you should only include named references with contact information if they are specifically required for the application process. Often references will only be taken up a later date. If you are not asked to include references in the application materials just write “references available on request” at the end of your resume.[12]
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7
Make final format adjustments. Once you have the information in place in your resume, you can then format it as desired. Choose a single, easy-to-read font, either a serif font (Times New Roman, Book Antiqua) or sans serif font (Arial, Calibri, Century Gothic). All text should be 10 to 12 point, except for your name in the first-page header, which can be 14 to 18 point. Bold your name, your section headings, and your job titles.
- Allow reasonable margins around the edges of the page. Word’s default settings are usually sufficient for this.
- Left-align your section headings. You can use single-spacing after a heading and before the section content, and double-spacing before a heading.
- Get your resume down to one page if at all possible. You can try adjusting your line spacing in the Paragraph dialog box, but don’t lose your neat formatting trying to get it down to one page.
- Rethink your words and try to express yourself more concisely.
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How do I write a resume with little work history?
Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her clients with job search and career advancement. Alyson provides coaching for career direction, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews as well as customized communication and leadership strategies. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.
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Expert Answer
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Question
Should I put my work history or education first?
Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her clients with job search and career advancement. Alyson provides coaching for career direction, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews as well as customized communication and leadership strategies. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.
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Support wikiHow by
unlocking this expert answer.Typically, you should put your work history first, followed by your education and qualifications. However, if you are fresh out of college or don’t have much work history, put your educations and qualifications first.
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Always tailor your resume to the type of position you’re seeking. You may have to add, rearrange, or delete accomplishments or entire sections according to what the position requires.
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Don’t wait until you’re looking for work to update your resume. Any time you have a promotion or significant accomplishment, add the new information to your resume.
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The appearance and format of your resume is a reflection of your competence; be sure it represents you at your best.
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Be sure that all the statements in your resume are both factually and grammatically correct and that all words are spelled correctly.
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About This Article
Article SummaryX
1. Open Word and click File.
2. Click New.
3. Click a resume template.
4. Type your own data into each field.
5. Save your resume as a new file.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,607,215 times.
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Direct, on-page, download links to free-to-use Microsoft Word Resume Templates. Freely editable, useable for, you, the jobseeker!
Download and start editing!
Microsoft Word Resume Templates Download Best 12
Functional Format
The minimal styling keeps its focus on the content. A great fit for job candidates targeting experienced (management), and specialized (technicians) jobs.
- All Word versions
- Functional (Executive) format.docx
Chronological Format
Impressive and professional resume design. A clean and effective template. Readers can quickly scan and identify its sections. A safe and sound choice for any job and career stage.
- All Word versions
- Chronological format.docx
Chronological Format
Impressive and professional resume design. A clean and effective template. Readers can quickly scan and identify its sections. A safe and sound choice for any job and career stage.
- All Word versions
- Chronological format.docx
(commercial use is not allowed) and will be legally prosecuted
Purple & Pink
A clean and modern resume design that allows you to customize all of its elements. Even the colors!
- Best for Word 2018+
- ResumeViking 26.docx
Green & Green
Impressive but subtle green resume design to show are your essentials. A resume for starters and mid-career workers.
- Best for Word 2018+
- ResumeViking 22.docx
Georgia Fleck
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- Best for Word 2018+
- ResumeViking 21.docx
Professional Word Resumes Templates
The free resume templates made in Word are easily adjustable to your needs and personal situation.
Modern Word Resumes Templates
John Smith
A peculiar type of green design. This resume lets you create a one and two-page pager with all your essential data.
- ResumeViking 1.docx
Andrea Rowland
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- ResumeViking 18.docx
Charlotte Anderson
Your Rose Resume design, complimentary with cover letter and business card. Personal use only.
- Rose Resusme.docx
Sales and design resume
A sales resume? A designer resume? This template you can use in many industries. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 10.docx
Connor Green
Modern resume design. Visualizing your track record or the charts out. It’s up to you. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 8.docx
Charlotte Webb
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 17.docx
Creative Word Resume Templates
In this word there are many wonderful things. So are our free creative resume’s. Only for personal use.
Therapist
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 5.docx
Sunset
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- ResumeViking 3.docx
Spring
Tight green, modern resume design with the option of adding your photo. Personal use only.
- ResumeViking 9.docx
Moss
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- ResumeViking 19.docx
More Resume’s!
Andrew Furness
Basic, minimal design with the option of a photo. Keep it black and orange or change it all up. For personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 6.docx
Orange Resume
Orange Resume with graphs and a photo option. Edit all details to your personal situation. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 12.docx
Yellow Resume
A yellow resume with a timeline design and graphic pies. Download and edit freely. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 11.docx
Golden Brown Resume
Golden Brown and Dark. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 13.docx
Venice Beach
Happy, retro, feminine, and vintage resume template. It’s a description that doesn’t do justice it’s the design. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 14.docx
Thomas Earland
Basic, minimal design with the option of adding a photo to your resume. Personal use only.
- Experience format
- Chronological
- ResumeViking 16.docx
You can make your resume easier!
Getting tired of Microsoft Word, and it’s design formatting? Use the resume tool, which is the ideal help to spin out 18 different resume designs with a one-click download. Edit at any time. Perfectly scalable. Downloads in Word & PDF.
One Week access is only $2.95(!)
Oh, and it includes cover letters too!
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Free Word Resume Templates by ResumeViking.com
Average rating:
45 reviews
Apr 3, 2023
by Marvella
The template was beautiful and was everything I wanted, but it was a complete nightmare to make even the slightest change in MSFT Word. I couldn’t get rid of the generic picture in the template without altering key components of the resume. I’m about to bite the bullet and pay $24 for a resume I pre made because that was much easier than dealing with these templates.
Mar 10, 2023
by Kellyv Vugt
word docs without ads. perfect
Mar 3, 2023
by Gael Breton
Super
Feb 1, 2023
by Tanya Lotus
You are such amaizing souls! Merci
Jan 25, 2023
by Ale
My word is from 2013 and not always work well
Jan 21, 2023
by Melissa Grenados
Thanks you so much!!
Jan 11, 2023
by Alfred Peacock
Increible! Graci!
Dec 13, 2022
by mahmoud alnajjar
thank you very much
Nov 23, 2022
by Ali Baba
very good
Aug 25, 2022
by Dinith Sithunaash
Easy to download. Interested in your templates. Thank you.
It can’t be that hard to write your resume in Word, can it? Then why are you stuck? Overwhelmed with hundreds, no, thousands of pages and videos on how to make a resume in MS Word? Who has the time to sift through that mountain of informational junk to find the hidden gems?!
Worry not. We’ve left no stone unturned, and condensed down all you need to know about how to make a resume in Word.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- How to access a ready Microsoft Word template design and make it your own.
- How to create a resume in MS Word from scratch faster than you can say Microsoft Office, even if you’re totally new at it.
- How to format a resume to make it look better and more professional than most other resumes.
But instead of reading through all this, you can just swing on over to our resume builder which will do it for you. Not only is it more user friendly than MS Word, you can download your finished resume in a .doc file which will make writing your resume a sinch.
Let’s get started!
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Create your resume now
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
First, you might want to check if submitting a resume in *.doc is a good idea: Is a Resume in PDF the Best Option?
Check out our resume templates to choose the best for you:
- Free Resume Templates
- Best Resume Templates
- Apple Resume Templates
- Blank Resume Template
- Simple Resume Templates
- Functional Resume Templates
- Student Resume Templates
- Recent Graduate Resume Templates
- Entry Level Resume Template
- One Page Resume Template
- Google Docs Resume Templates
- Creative Resume Templates
- Cool Resume Templates
- Modern Resume Template
- Minimalist Resume Templates
- Plain Text Resume Templates
How to Make a Resume in Word
Now get comfortable, we’re going to go through, step by step, how to make a resume in Word from scratch.
Access MS Word Templates
Accessing MS Word templates may seem complicated, but it really is just a few simple steps that we’ll show you them below.
- Open a new document.
- Click on the “more templates” option.
- Choose “Resumes and Cover Letters.”
- Choose the resume template that suits you best and click on it.
- Click “Create.”
- Your chosen resume template appears as a Word document and you’re ready to edit it with your personal information and experience!
Not sure which resume template packs the most punch? Browse through our selection and tips here: 25 Resume Templates for Microsoft Word
Make a Resume Header in Word
Going top-down, we start first with the resume header (and the Captain Obvious award goes to…).
The resume header should include the following:
- your name
- current job title
- phone number
- links to any online profiles or professional online sites that you have.
It should end up looking like this:
But hey, how did that nice line get there?
It’s simple so let’s leave that for later, once you’ve finished all your sections. If you’re super impatient, jump down here to learn how to add a line in a Word resume.
How to Format a Resume Header in Word
As your name is both important and the first thing the hiring manager sees, make sure it’s bigger than the rest of your text (14-16 pt).
Depending on the font you use, decide whether bold will make it look better and draw more attention.
Feel free to bold the titles of the information that you’re listing (like in the above example) to make it a little clearer to read.
Add a Resume Objective/Summary
Double space from the last line in your resume header.
Write “Objective” or “Summary” depending on which one you’re using. As it’s a section title, make it a little larger than the rest of the text (14-16 pt). Also, depending on the font you’re using, make it bold.
Beneath the section title, write a couple of sentences concerning your resume summary or objective.
Unsure whether a resume objective or summary is right for you? These two handy guides will help solve that problem: Resume Summary Examples and Resume Objective Examples
Your resume objective/summary section should look like this:
Write Your Experience Section in Word
Now we’re diving into the bigger sections of your resume that will take a bit more time and effort to get just right.
Again, double space from the last line and add the section title “Experience” in larger text like the previous section titles.
Next, add the date, title of your job position at the time and then the name of the company.
Next, add a few lines describing your relevant job responsibilities in bullet points.
If you have key achievements that you’d like to include, add “key achievements” after your job responsibilities and also list them in bullet points. Since “Key Achievements” is a sub section header, remember to make it bold, underlined, or slightly larger than the surrounding text to help it stand out more.
Need more pointers on how to add work experience to your resume? This guide will point you in the right direction: Resume Work Experience, History, & Example Job Descriptions
Your finished work experience section should look something like this:
Add Your Education Section
The hardest part of your resume is over and done with, phew! Now on to your education.
Follow the same rules as before so double space and enlarge the font for the resume section title “Education.”
Next, add the date you graduated (or plan to graduate), the name and location of the school, and the title you acquired.
Simple!
If you’re feeling a little lost on how to add your education to your resume, you’ll definitely find these guides super helpful: How to Put Education on a Resume and How to List Continuing Education on a Resume
Your education section should look like this:
Add Skills to a Resume in Word
You’re already at your skills section now!
This section is an easy one as you won’t have to do much other than list.
Again, double space from the last line and use the same format for your “Skills” section header as you did for the rest.
Now simply list your skills. You can do this as a simple list or just some kind of formatting like bullet points. That’s all there is to it!
When you’re done, your resume skills section should look something similar to this:
It’s important to remember that you can’t just mention every skill you have including competitive bubblegum chewing. It needs to be relevant.
This guide will tell you exactly which professional skills are key to getting your dream job: Key Skills to Put on a Resume
Add Additional Sections to Your Resume
You’re already near the end, yay!
The additional section isn’t mandatory in your resume, but it is a great place to show off your achievements, certificates, interests, languages, and other things that don’t really fit elsewhere in your resume.
Add the relevant section headings, i.e. “Achievements”, “Certificates”, “Languages”, “Interests”, etc. and then form a simple list beneath.
Here’s an example:
That’s it!
Afraid that your resume doesn’t have enough impact? Check to see if it’s optimized to the job description with this handy guide: 6 Tips on How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description
When you’re all done, if you pull all the pieces together, your complete resume should look more or less like this:
Unsure if your resume is complete? Double check that you have all the crucial pieces: Parts of a Resume: What are the Important Elements?
Now, that looks okay, but it’s not exactly something to write home about. Want a resume in Word that will really stand head and shoulders above the rest?
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
How to Format a Resume in Word
You’ve already learned a little about formatting a resume in Word throughout this guide, but let’s recap and add in some new tips for good measure.
Resume Fonts in Word
It may seem like something not really worth the worry, but a bad font can tank your resume faster than an unnoticed iceberg.
Use professional, modern fonts and stay away from fonts that are overly creative, hard to read, or simply comical (I’m looking at you, Comic Sans!).
For more in depth knowledge about what fonts are a “go” and which are a “no,” check out this great guide: Best Fonts for a Resume
Resume Margins in Word
Word usually has neat margins set up by default so you’re probably good to go from the start.
Just in case, though, remember that the standard margins for resumes are 1 in. on all sides.
Want to muse more over measuring your margins? This guide will do just that: Proper Resume Margins
Resume Line Spacing in Word
Again, Word will usually have you covered by default, but it’s good to know that 1.15 line spacing is best in a resume.
If you want to see what your line spacing is set to in a Word document, go the toolbox in the Home tab and select the icon that looks like a paragraph with arrows on the left side. A drop down menu will appear with different spacing options.
Resume Headings in Word
As we’ve already covered, the resume headings should stand out in some way. They definitely should be slightly bigger (14-16 pt) to set them apart from the rest of the 12 pt text.
If the legibility of the font allows, feel free to underline or bold the resume section headings as well.
Don’t go overboard though. This does not look good on a resume: WORK EXPERIENCE
How to Make a Line in Word for Your Resume
Making a line is one of those things that seems simple, but ends up giving you an aneurysm and a half when you try to do it.
There are actually three ways to create a line in Word—via hyphens, borders, or horizontal lines.
- Use hyphens.
Type in three hyphens (—) and then press “Enter.” Viola! You have a line!
- Use Borders.
Go to the Borders option in the Home toolbox and click on the drop down menu. Choose the first option “Bottom Border” and Word will automatically insert a line.
- Use Horizontal Line.
Go to the borders in the Home toolbox and click on the drop down menu. Choose “Horizontal Line”. Click and Word will insert a line.
Now you know more than one way to make a line in Microsoft Word!
Lines, like other format options, should be used once in a while to emphasize the main points. You don’t want to turn your resume into a web of lines created by drunken spiders.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
If you’ve ever wondered how to create a resume template in Word, well you just have! Now you can create several different tailored resumes for your dream jobs!
Wasn’t all that bad, was it?
Creating a resume in Microsoft Word may not be super easy, but it doesn’t need to be a complicated design or be a nightmare to format. You can definitely create a resume in one, relaxed sitting.
Just keep in mind to:
- Keep your resume sections in order.
- Format your resume section headings a little larger than the rest of the text.
- Double check if your font, margins, and line spacing are professional and legible.
- Use lines and format design sparingly in your resumes to emphasize instead of clutter.
Have you found this guide helpful? Any options or templates we’ve left out that you think could be useful? Let us know!
- Word Resume Template Choices
- How to Make a Resume in Word
- Make the Most with Word Resume Templates
- Pick the Resume Template Best for You
If you’re ready to give yourself the best chance of landing the job you’re after, you need an attractive, organized resume template. Our 15 new resume templates for Word are hot off the press for 2023. All you have to do is download them for free and start editing them in Microsoft Word.
Trouble customizing your Word resume template? Working with ready-made templates can be challenging, so if you’re in a time crunch or over the frustration, make a resume with us and choose from one of BeamJobs’ professional resume template options—just like this modern template here.
Academic Word Resume
Why this resume template works
- While pursuing higher education, you need a resume that gives you a little of everything. With this academic Word resume template, you can say a lot in limited space.
- Share internship or work experience as well as project experience. Projects can be academic or personal. If you’re feeling stuck on what to include here, try thinking about your hobbies and interests.
- Show off academic achievements and awards in a dedicated section in the left sidebar. Need more room than that? Try using the projects section instead!
Easy Word Resume
Why this resume template works
- Everyone wants an easy Word resume template. It’s easy to look at, easy to figure out where all the major sections are, and easy to like.
- Recruiters won’t be quick to forget your name with this soft blue contact header that keeps your info neat and tidy.
- Resume templates like this one are good choices for job seekers looking to climb the ladder because it lays your work history out in reverse-chronological order.
High School Word Resume
Why this resume template works
- Did you think a high school Word resume template could look this good? For most students, their resumes are sparse because they’ve got limited work history. That won’t be the case here.
- Think about school projects or extracurricular activities that keep you busy, and use that to populate your projects section. Try to answer how you contributed and left a positive impact.
- And hey, if you do have some traditional work experience, just add that to the projects section instead!
Music Word Resume
Why this resume template works
- Music is a world all its own, and that means a music Word resume template needs to follow suit.
- Use your experience section to highlight where you shine, whether that be in the orchestra or in the classroom instructing.
- The green sidebar gives us nice pop of color to draw attention to your music honors and awards, where you can put the spotlight on competitions, the location, and the year.
Nursing Word Resume
Why this resume template works
- Nurses need a resume that’s professional, engaging, and personable, and this nursing Word resume nails all three.
- Small and unique design elements pull the eye in strategically to your objective, skills, and licenses, telling recruiters right away that you’re qualified for the role.
- Licenses and certifications are essential, which is why there are two sections dedicated to this at the bottom of your resume. List your nursing license in the left sidebar and list any other certifications and licenses you hold beneath your experience.
Teacher of the Year Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Your brilliant teacher of the year Word resume template is as good as it gets for professional educators. Interesting, engaging, and professional—just as any outstanding teacher should be!
- Your teacher resume can demonstrate your professional ability to teach any age group from kindergarten to high school.
- Bold blue tones emphasize wisdom, confidence, intelligence, and imagination. This type of resume formatting contrasts nicely with strong black empty space. It makes for an eye-catching and appealing resume.
The Arts Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Your arts Word resume is a good option for your professional creative arts masterpiece.
- Usually, we advise against including a photo in your resume template, but we can make the case for one here. It shows personality and individuality, which are, of course, important traits for an artistic, creative job.
- Job titles that will be especially suited to your arts resume include visual artist, musician, photographer, designer, and producer.
Pretty-in-Pink Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Your pretty-in-pink Word resume template makes a nice statement and gives room for a resume summary or objective.
- This bold, creative resume template is best suited for those working in roles where a more colorful style would be acceptable or encouraged.
- This will include many jobs in the arts and creative industries, but it’s always best to judge based on the formality of the specific company to which you apply.
Royal Blue Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Use your royal blue Word resume template to convey professionalism, confidence, and a sleek touch for a mid-career professional.
- The dark blue is particularly good at conveying a sense of knowledge, seriousness, and security, which are appealing qualities for hiring managers seeking an advanced professional like yourself. The light blue adds contrast and is associated with compassion, an essential characteristic of good management.
- We think you could build a killer resume with this royal blue Word resume template for roles as an account manager, team lead, regional manager, operations manager, and executive assistant.
The Trades Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Sometimes, nothing can beat a minimally-colored resume. Your trades Word resume template’s colors contrast well while keeping it simple and straightforward.
- Remember, this doesn’t mean your resume has to look boring. Keep it interesting with contrasting colors, fonts, and letter sizes. Choosing the perfect resume template is half the battle!
- Your trades resume is ideal if you’re working trades, such as plumbing, welding, carpentry, electrical work, or machinery. Your job keeps life orderly and functional, so it’s important to reflect that in your resume design.
Doctor’s Orders Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- This doctor’s orders Word resume is specially designed for those working as MDs.
- Unique sections allow you to input and highlight residency, licenses, and conferences easily. Use tasteful colors in your resume to demonstrate your personality.
- Your qualifications and skills can speak for themselves, but only great doctors are both brilliant and personable with patients. Show that you are that doctor!
Executive Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Sleek, luxurious, commanding, refined. These are the words that describe your executive Word resume template. The light ombre blue on the border invites you in while remaining buttoned up and tasteful for employment at any company.
- If you’re looking to advance in the corporate world, this resume template allows room to highlight your expertise and success in a professional resume summary.
- Having trouble figuring out where to start? Take a peek at our resume examples for insight into creating a resume that lands you interviews.
Green Technicalities Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Technical jobs like software engineering, software development, engineering, data science, and an array of other roles will benefit from the green technicalities Word resume template.
- It should be easy to differentiate your hard and soft skills and certifications on your resume, which are incredibly important for technical jobs requiring niche skills.
- While a lot of information can fit on your resume, clean lines and contrasting colors keep it from becoming overwhelming.
Lawyer Up Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- Your lawyer-up Word resume should be stunning and professional. Classic black and white is the most acceptable form for your profession. However, that doesn’t mean there can’t be visual interest when making a resume.
- The boxing around the resume title and contrasting fonts provide sophisticated interest.
- Note the use of professional and straightforward fonts but strong visual interest from the choice of bolding.
Modern Limelight Word Resume Template
Why this resume template works
- What’s not to like about this modern limelight resume? It’s modern, youthful, and stylish. It demonstrates the kind of energy, enthusiasm, and ideas that young professionals and students like yourself bring to the table.
- Your Modern resume works best if you’re applying to work at a startup. Exciting, bold ideas thrive in these environments, and your lime-colored resume fits the bill.
- Students, don’t be afraid to use the work experience section for projects or even to showcase relevant hobbies and interests that help pitch why you should be hired.
Remember, if you’re having trouble customizing your resume template, make sure you check out our job-specific resume samples. We also get that working with templates in Word can be tricky, so you can try one of our Google Docs resume templates or build a resume with us instead. How about this one here?
How to Make a Resume in Word?
The best thing about building a resume in Word is that Microsoft Word comes with many resume templates you can find within the program. If none of these preloaded formats do the trick, you can search for alternate templates on the internet (probably how you found these here).
Between the templates included in Word, the options available online, our free resume templates for Google Docs, or the templates you can use in our easy resume builder, you should have no trouble finding a design that works for you.
Find free Word resume templates
Accessing resume templates on Microsoft Word is a quick, easy way to structure your document. All you have to do is take the following steps:
- Click “File,” then “New.”
- Type “Resume” into the search box at the top of the window.
- Browse the templates and double-click the one you want.
- Delete the sample text and add your personal information.
Upload your outside templates into Word
While Microsoft Word offers some excellent resume templates within the program, you can find even more options on the internet, including our professional resume examples.
Here’s how to find online templates and upload them into Word:
- Search Google for “resume templates,” or take advantage of our free resume templates.
- Download the resume that fits your needs.
- Open a new Word document.
- Click on “Insert” at the top of the page.
- Select “Object” from the drop-down menu.
- Find the file for the resume template in the box that appears. It’s most likely under “Downloads.”
- Click on the file for the resume template.
- Click “Insert” at the bottom-right corner of the box.
*Note: This process will upload your template, but it may be distorted, requiring you to spend some time manipulating boxes, lines, and font, which is why we recommend uploading your resumes with our free resume tool.
Make the Most with Word Resume Templates
When it comes to creating a fantastic resume on Word, downloading the right template is only half the battle. From there, you need to do what it takes to fill the template with the right information.
There are two keys to making the most of your Word resume template: taking advantage of Word’s available features and practicing patience as you tweak and perfect the document.
Use Word’s available features
There’s a reason Word is so popular. It comes fully loaded with useful features, many of which will be a major help as you work on your next resume. Here are six features you should consider taking advantage of if you want your document to look its best:
- Word’s editor tool will check your resume for spelling and grammar. Don’t let recruiters doubt your professionalism.
- The Track Changes feature puts a red line through deleted text rather than eliminating it. Play around with the wording on your resume to weigh your options until you get it just right.
- Word’s Resume Assistant feature is specially designed for creating a new resume. Use this feature to see how others in your field have described their work experience, giving you the inspiration to overcome pesky writer’s block.
- Word’s line spacing feature lets you tighten up text, so there’s less blank space between lines. Say more on a single page.
- The margins adjustor on Word lets you cover more of the page with text. When you’re struggling to squeeze in important information, this extra space can prove vital.
- Word lets you convert your final resume to a PDF. This makes it easy to save your resume as a file you can send digitally.
Set aside ample time to build your Word resume
A resume on Word isn’t something you can polish off in five minutes even if you’ve uploaded a template. You need the document to come out looking fantastic, and that requires meticulous attention to detail.
While you work on your Word resume, consider the following:
- How to customize your filler text
- How to set the font size and color
- Which line spacing to use
- How to make an inflexible layout work for the information you need to include
- How to format your resume for ATS scanners
If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, just use our simple resume builder. By typing in your details and letting our tool take care of the rest, you’ll take the guesswork and stress out of the resume creation process.
Pick the Resume Template Best for You
There are countless resume templates in Word, and it’s up to you to find the option that best suits your industry and personality. No matter which template you choose, the most important thing is to represent yourself well. When it comes to writing resumes, content wins over style every time.
While a resume outline and template will give your document the basic structure it needs, save yourself time and frustration by opting for a complete resume builder experience instead.
Whether you want to upload and check a resume with our AI-powered tips or start from scratch, our tools are convenient and effective. If you’ve got your information handy, then a stylish, professional resume is just a few clicks away.