Resume Templates for 2026

Yes! Resume templates are a great way to save time and ensure your resume is properly formatted. Poor alignment or excessive graphics can hinder ATS software from scanning your resume correctly and can turn prospective employers away instantly. A high-quality, clean resume template allows you to customize without worrying about spacing, tabs, and other common issues.

We provide specific, clearly labeled resume templates for free. Download and fill them out as you like. We also provide a helpful guide explaining how to use Resume Now’s basic features for free.

That said, using a free downloadable template comes with limitations. For the full experience, including our range of premium templates and special features, you’ll want to sign up for our Resume Builder.

Using a resume template is easy! You can use our builder to select a template and be provided AI-tailored suggestions for your professional summary, work experience, skills, and education sections. Not only does this save time, but you can also easily customize and personalize the resume without losing your formatting.

You choose the right sample resume template by considering your industry and employer. If you’re applying for a job as a librarian or claims adjuster, for instance, opt for simple resume templates. But, if you’re applying for a role as a hairstylist, then our creative or modern resume templates might suit your needs.

Also, select a resume design that makes sense for your employment history and qualifications. For example, if you lack experience, choose a one-page resume template that plays up your skills and education while balancing out extra white space, such as our basic and simple resume templates.

Conversely, if you have a lot of experience, pick a resume sample that helps you showcase your accomplishments without much extra text.

The best template for a resume is one that aligns with your industry, matches your job title, and speaks to where you are in your career.

A good template for a resume should also match your cover letter template. So, if you are an entry-level job seeker looking for work as a marketing associate in the art industry, you may choose one of our creative or modern resume templates.

A simple resume template, however, would be ideal if you are a job candidate with 10 or more years of experience as a legal aide. When in doubt, our MS Word templates work well for most job applicants.

You can find a resume template to download for free on Resume Now. Simply scroll up to see our free downloadable template options.

Regardless of your job title, industry, and experience, we have a resume template that you can download.

For most job seekers, the best resume format for 2026 is a chronological resume. Hiring managers love chronological resumes because they place work experience at the forefront. Within seconds, they can see your top accomplishments at your previous jobs.

Also, the best resume templates are clean and professional. Skip those with heavy graphics, offbeat fonts, and many different colors. Your resume has to pass the ATS and be easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to read. So, go for simple lines, fluid organization, and standard fonts.

A functional or skills-based resume is ideal for emphasizing your skills, especially if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers. This template focuses on your abilities rather than chronological work experience.

This template allows you to highlight both soft skills (like teamwork and problem-solving) and hard skills (such as technical proficiencies). You can go a step further by grouping your skills into categories like communication skills, leadership abilities, and technical expertise.