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Simple Resume Templates — basic formats that let your experience lead

A simple resume format does one job well: it gets out of the way of your experience. There are no color blocks, sidebars or graphics, just a clear name header, standard section headings and consistent spacing that a recruiter can scan in seconds.

These three templates are the most basic in the builder. Classic I and Classic II are traditional single-column layouts that suit almost any industry, and Plain Text goes further still, with a typewriter-style font and no formatting that can get lost. All three are on our ATS-safe list, so they are a dependable choice for online applications too.

Simple does not mean bare. The builder walks you through each section with writing tips and formats it as you type, and every simple template is free to build with.

Why simple resume formats work

Recruiters often make a first pass through a stack of resumes in well under a minute each. A simple format helps in that moment: headings are where they expect, dates line up, and nothing competes with your job titles and results. It also removes a whole category of risk, because there is nothing in a basic layout for an applicant tracking system to misread.

Classic I, Classic II or Plain Text?

  • Classic I puts your contact details on one line under a centered name and leads each job with your title, with dates aligned on the right. Choose it when your job titles tell the story.
  • Classic II stacks your contact details under the name and leads each job with the employer, with your title beneath. Choose it when the organizations you have worked for are a selling point.
  • Plain Text is the most basic resume format there is. Use it for application systems that strip formatting, or whenever you want zero risk of layout problems.

How to write a basic resume

  1. Contact details. Your name, phone number, a professional email address, and your city and state. A full street address is optional.
  2. Summary. Two or three sentences on who you are, your experience, and the kind of role you want.
  3. Work experience. Most recent job first. For each role, list the title, employer, location and dates, then three to five bullet points that start with an action verb and show a result where you can.
  4. Education. Degree, school and graduation year, or your expected graduation date if you are still studying.
  5. Skills. A short list of the skills the job actually asks for.

Stuck on wording? Our sample resumes show complete examples for dozens of jobs, and the how to write a resume tutorial covers each section in detail.

Keep it simple, but polished

A basic format still needs care. Keep fonts and spacing consistent, keep bullet points to one or two lines, and read your resume aloud once before you send it. If you want a little more structure without adding color, the professional templates add margin headings and aligned dates while staying just as clean.

Build your resume in any template — free

Pick a design, fill in each section with step-by-step writing tips, and switch templates whenever you like. Nothing needs retyping.

  • All 12 templates, with font, font size and page margin controls
  • Writing tips for every section, plus AI help on a free daily quota
  • Download your finished resume as a text (.txt) file, free
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Simple Resume Templates — FAQ

What is a simple resume format?

A single column with a clear name header, standard section headings and consistent spacing, without color blocks, graphics or sidebars. Classic I, Classic II and Plain Text are our simple templates.

Is a simple resume better than a creative one?

For most jobs, yes. A simple layout is quicker for recruiters to scan and safer for applicant tracking systems. A creative design mainly helps when visual presentation is part of the job and a person reads your resume first.

What is the difference between Classic I, Classic II and Plain Text?

Classic I puts your contact details on one line under a centered name and leads each job with your title. Classic II stacks your contact details under the name and leads each job with the employer. Plain Text uses a typewriter-style font and simple symbols, with no formatting that could get lost.

How do I make a basic resume?

Choose a simple template, then add your contact details, a two- or three-sentence summary, your work history with the most recent job first and a few results-focused bullet points each, your education, and a short skills list. The builder walks you through each section with writing tips.

Is a simple resume format ATS-friendly?

Yes. All three simple templates are single-column with standard headings and keep every detail in the main body of the page, which is what applicant tracking systems read most reliably.

Sample resumes for ideas

Browse sample resumes by industry ›

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