Modern resume templates

A modern resume with a bold header, a row of headline numbers and clean sections, plus a more colourful creative version for designers and marketers. They stand out when a person reads your resume first, such as through a referral or a direct email.

Templates

  • Modern resume (document): A bold one-page, two-column resume with a teal header band, a shaded sidebar for contact, impact numbers, skills and education, and room for your story on the right. Stands out to design-friendly employers and in referrals; use the ATS-friendly resume for online applications. Sample content included.
  • Creative resume (document): A colourful one-page resume for designers, marketers and other creatives, with a colour header band, a shaded sidebar for your toolkit and awards, and project results that show your work. Best for design-friendly employers; use the ATS-friendly resume for online applications. Sample content included.

How to use these templates

  1. Choose modern for most roles, or creative if you work in design, content, marketing or media and have a portfolio.
  2. Tell the AI your job title and three results you are proud of; it turns them into the highlights row at the top.
  3. Ask it to "pick a different theme" or change colours until it suits your field, then check the page still reads clearly in black and white.
  4. Download as PDF to keep the design exactly as you see it.

Making a modern resume work for you

  • Use one accent colour. A second or third colour rarely adds anything and makes printed copies look muddy.
  • Lead with numbers. The highlights row works because "3x sign-ups" or "$2M budget" can be read in a glance.
  • Keep a plain ATS version alongside it. Upload the plain one to job portals and send the modern one when you email a hiring manager or meet someone at an event.
  • For creative roles, put your portfolio link at the very top and make sure it opens on a phone.
  • Avoid skill bars and star ratings. "Python: 4 out of 5" tells a reader nothing, while a project you built with Python does.

Frequently asked questions

Are modern resume templates ATS-friendly?

These two use real text, so tracking software can read them, but colour blocks and a highlights row are not what parsers expect. For online applications, use the ATS-friendly template instead.

Is a modern resume professional enough for a corporate job?

The modern template, with one accent colour and clear sections, suits most corporate roles. Save the creative version for design-led employers and agencies.

Should I add a photo to a modern resume?

Not in the US, UK, Canada or Ireland, where photos can raise discrimination concerns. In parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia a photo is more common; follow what is normal for the country you are applying in.

Related