A resume template gives your experience a clean, organized frame, so a hiring manager can find your strengths quickly.
The right layout depends on your industry, your experience and the job you want.
AdvertisementBelow are 6 resume templates for 2026 and 2027, each with a full sample resume and the fields it suits best. Right after them, the free builder has the same 6 templates. Pick one, fill in your details, then print it or copy it.
All names, employers and schools in the sample resumes are fictional. Whatever template you choose, use only true information, keep the layout simple and tailor the content to each job.
6 Resume Templates for 2026 and 2027
Quick jump: NavyForest GreenTealBurgundyPurpleTerracottaFree resume template builder
Navy Executive Template
A bold navy banner, a single column and thin rules. It looks confident and prints well in black and white.
Best for: Finance, law, government, accounting and other conservative fields.
Forest Green Sidebar Template
A soft green sidebar keeps contact details, skills and licenses in one place, with the main story on the right.
Best for: Healthcare, education, nonprofits and community roles.
Teal Modern Template
A thick teal bar next to the name, clean section lines and skill pills make this layout easy to scan.
Best for: Marketing, business, technology and fast-moving fields.
Burgundy Classic Template
A centered name with burgundy rules and a serif font. It feels formal and polished.
Best for: Legal, executive, consulting and traditional roles.
Purple Creative Template
A purple header with initials, a timeline for experience and a portfolio link near the top show personality while the text stays plain.
Best for: Design, media, advertising and creative careers.
Terracotta Bold Template
A warm terracotta stripe and square-marker headings give a confident look without crowding the page.
Best for: Sales, operations, hospitality and leadership roles.
Free Resume Template Builder
Step 1. Tap a template to open it below.
Step 2. Click any text in the template below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the sample name, employers, schools, dates and numbers with your own true information. To add a bullet, press Enter at the end of a bullet. To remove a line, select it and delete it. Use only numbers you can explain in an interview. Then print it, save it as a PDF or copy it.
To save your resume: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the open template prints, with its colors. To copy it, select the text inside the template and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Which Resume Color Fits Your Field
| Color | Good for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Finance, law, accounting and government | The safest professional choice, and it prints well in grayscale |
| Forest green | Healthcare, education and nonprofits | A calm color that reads as caring and steady |
| Teal | Marketing, business and technology | A modern color that stays easy to read when used on headings only |
| Burgundy | Legal, consulting and executive roles | Formal and distinctive; keep the body text dark |
| Purple | Design, media and creative fields | Choose a muted shade, not a bright one |
| Terracotta | Sales, operations and hospitality | A warm, toned-down orange; avoid bright neon shades |
Resume Color Rules
| Color rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use one accent color | Several colors look busy and distract from your results |
| Keep body text black or dark gray on white | Dark text on a light background is easiest to read |
| Check it in grayscale | Many hiring managers print resumes in black and white |
| Use color on the name, headings and dividers | These help a reader scan without hiding content |
| Avoid text boxes, icons and images of text | Software and people can miss details placed inside graphics |
| Do not rely on color alone | Important facts should stay clear in plain black text |
These rules follow guidance from career sites, which agree that color should support readability and that complicated formatting, not color itself, is what trips up resume-screening software.
Why Use a Resume Template?
- A polished look. Consistent spacing, headings and fonts make your resume easy to read.
- Time savings. You fill in your details instead of designing from scratch.
- Clear strengths. A good layout puts your skills and results where a reader looks first.
How to Choose the Right Resume Template
| Your situation | Best template |
|---|---|
| Finance, law, accounting or government | Navy Executive or Burgundy Classic |
| Healthcare, education or nonprofit | Forest Green Bars |
| Marketing, business or technology | Teal Modern |
| Design, media or advertising | Purple Creative |
| Sales, operations or hospitality | Terracotta Bold |
| Career change or a break from work | Teal Modern or Navy Executive, with the builder’s skills-first layout |
| Student or recent graduate | Teal Modern, with the entry-level choice in the builder |
What Every Resume Template Needs
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, city and state, phone, email and one profile link |
| Summary | Job title, years or training, and top skills |
| Selected achievements | Two or three results with numbers |
| Experience | Title, employer, dates and results |
| Education | Degree or diploma, school and year |
| Skills | Short list that matches the job posting |
Formatting Essentials
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Font | Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman |
| Size | 10 to 12 points |
| Length | One page, or two for experienced professionals |
| Color | One accent color, used sparingly |
| File type | PDF unless the posting says otherwise |
| Bullets | Start each with an action verb |
How to Customize Your Template
- Pick the template. Match its color and style to your industry and experience.
- Replace every placeholder with true details.
- Tailor your summary and skills to each job posting.
- Start bullets with action verbs and add numbers you can explain.
- Keep the design simple. Use standard headings and one accent color.
- Save a PDF and proofread it twice.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Picking style over readability. A reader should find your best points in seconds.
- Leaving placeholders in. Search for every bracket before you send.
- Using too many colors or fonts. Stay consistent.
- Using text boxes or images of text. They can confuse resume-screening software.
- Making up numbers. Use only figures you can explain in an interview.
- Skipping a proofread. Check names, dates and spelling.
Your Resume Template Checklist
Tick each item as you finish it. The counter keeps score.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in my resume?
Your name and contact details, a short summary, selected achievements, work experience, education, certifications and relevant skills. Add projects, awards or links only when they help the job you want.
How long should my resume be?
One page for most people, especially early in a career. Experienced professionals may use two pages when the extra space adds real value.
Are resume templates worth using?
Yes. A template saves time, keeps formatting consistent and makes your strengths easier to find. Always replace every placeholder with your own true details.
How do I choose a template?
Match it to your industry, experience and the job posting. Conservative fields suit navy or burgundy, creative fields allow a little more style, and career changers may prefer the builder’s skills-first layout.
Can I customize a template?
Yes. You can adjust fonts, colors, spacing and section order as long as the result stays clean, consistent and easy to read.
Should I use color in my resume?
Use it sparingly. One accent color for the name, headings or a thin line is enough. Keep body text black or dark gray on white, and check that the resume still reads well when printed in black and white.
How do I make my resume ATS-friendly?
Use standard headings, simple formatting and keywords from the job posting. Avoid text boxes, images of text and unusual headers or footers, and follow any format the employer requests.
What file format should I use?
A PDF unless the employer asks for another format. Use a clear file name, such as your first and last name and the word resume.
What fonts work best?
Arial, Calibri and Times New Roman between 10 and 12 points are easy to read on screen and on paper.
How should I handle employment gaps?
Consider a combination or functional layout, keep dates accurate and be ready to explain the gap briefly. Mention training, volunteering or freelance work if it is real and relevant.
Conclusion
The best resume template is the one that fits your industry, shows your strengths and stays easy to read. Choose a template, fill in true details and tailor it to each job. Then use the builder above to create yours.
Related Reading
- The best cover letter templates
- Top 10 resume writing trends
- Resume action verbs
- How to write a great cover letter
Note: Templates are layouts and examples, not guarantees. Employers differ in what they prefer, so follow any format stated in the job posting. Nothing here guarantees an interview or a job.
Sources: Monster, Resume Colors (April 23, 2026). PrideStaff, Does the Color of Your Resume Matter?