Resume Templates
Free templates, formatting tips, and a guide to choosing the right resume.
Need help? Schedule time with a career coach or come into your local AFWD office.
Basic formatting tips
Get the basics right before you worry about anything fancy.
- Margins
- Set 1-inch margins.
- Font Size
- Pick 11 or 12pt font and stick with it.
- Formatting
- Be consistent with your formatting (dates, titles, locations, etc.).
- Line Spacing
- Use single spacing or 1.25.
- Section Spacing
- Add an extra space before and after each section heading.
- Photos
- Don't use photos unless specifically requested.
- Bullet Points
- Do use bullet points.
Saving & submitting your resume
Save your resume as a PDF — this is the safest format to submit because the layout will not shift when the employer opens it. Some employers still require MS Word (.docx), so check the job listing's instructions before applying.
Avoid saving as JPG or PNG — those are for pictures and graphics, not text documents, and they cannot be parsed by applicant tracking systems.
Types of resumes
Pick the format that best fits your situation.
Chronological
Lists your work experience in reverse chronological order. The most familiar format and the one most employers expect.
Ideal for: Almost all candidates, especially those with a steady work history in the same field.
Functional
Leads with your skills instead of your job history. Good for hiding gaps or pivoting careers.
Ideal for: Military transitions, large gaps in work, creative roles, or candidates who do not want to seem overqualified.
Combination
Mixes both: a strong skills section up top, followed by your work history.
Ideal for: Experienced professionals and career changers.
Resume matrix
A quick side-by-side comparison.
| Chronological | Functional | Combination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Focus | Work experience | Skills | Skills and work experience |
| Work Experience Section | Top (relevant) | Bottom (irrelevant) | Middle (relevant) |
| Skills Section | Middle (relevant) | Top (relevant) | Top (relevant) |
| Advantage | Easy to read, universally known | Conceals flaws in work history | Emphasizes and validates skills |
| Ideal For | Almost all candidates | Military transitions, large gaps, creative jobs | Experienced professionals, career changers |
- Chief Focus:
- Work experience
- Work Experience Section:
- Top (relevant)
- Skills Section:
- Middle (relevant)
- Advantage:
- Easy to read, universally known
- Ideal For:
- Almost all candidates
- Chief Focus:
- Skills
- Work Experience Section:
- Bottom (irrelevant)
- Skills Section:
- Top (relevant)
- Advantage:
- Conceals flaws in work history
- Ideal For:
- Military transitions, large gaps, creative jobs
- Chief Focus:
- Skills and work experience
- Work Experience Section:
- Middle (relevant)
- Skills Section:
- Top (relevant)
- Advantage:
- Emphasizes and validates skills
- Ideal For:
- Experienced professionals, career changers
Download a template
All templates are editable Word documents (.docx).
-
Chronological Resume
Classic format. Best when you have steady work history in the same field.
Download (.docx) -
Chronological — Simple Professional
Modern variation of the chronological resume.
Download (.docx) -
Functional Resume
Best when changing careers or returning to work.
Download (.docx) -
Combination Resume
Highlights both skills and experience.
Download (.docx) -
Combination — Simple Professional
Modern combination resume design.
Download (.docx) -
Combination — Trade Focused
For skilled trades and technical roles.
Download (.docx) -
Combination — Job Hopper / Gaps
Designed for resumes with employment gaps or many short roles.
Download (.docx)