Make a simple resume, then download it

A simple resume isn't a lesser resume. It strips out everything that doesn't help a recruiter decide, so your experience carries the page. For most applications that's exactly what you want, and it's often the quickest kind to finish well. It's also the easiest kind to keep current, because a new job slots in without upsetting the layout.

Is a simple resume a good idea?

Yes, for most jobs. Recruiters skim, and a plain layout puts your latest title, employer and best result where the eye lands first. Screening software also tends to read standard headings and plain text more reliably than icons, charts or text boxes, which is why our ATS-friendly resume templates keep the same plain build.

Where does a simple resume work best?

In fields where the facts sell themselves, such as these:

• First jobs and entry-level roles, where a tidy page keeps the focus on what you've done, even if that's one summer job.
• Trades, warehouse and logistics work, where a license or a forklift certification is easy to spot on a plain page. The warehouse worker resume example has certification examples to borrow if you hold them.
• Retail and food service, where managers want your recent jobs, shifts and any cash or stock duties at a glance.
• Accounting, insurance and healthcare administration, where employers tend to expect a traditional look.

When does a little design help?

In graphic design, media or other creative fields, a touch of color can show some personality. Choose a design with one accent color and keep everything else just as plain. The test stays the same either way: can a reader find your latest job and your best result within a few seconds of looking?

How long should a simple resume be?

A simple resume should usually fit on one page, especially for a first resume or a career spent in one line of work. Move to a second page only when the extra roles truly support the job you want, and keep the most recent ones on page one. Simple is about clarity rather than length, so cutting a weak bullet beats shrinking the type to squeeze it in.

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What can I leave off a simple resume?

Anything that takes up space without helping the reader decide. Common cuts:

• Your full street address: a city and state are enough for most applications.
• "References available upon request": employers assume it, and they'll ask when they're ready.
• Hobbies unrelated to the job, unless the posting invites a personal touch.
• Skill bars, star ratings and charts, which take up room without telling a reader what you can do.
• Old jobs with no bearing on the work you want next.

How do I keep a simple resume from looking bare?

Fill it with specifics rather than decoration, so every line tells the reader something new:

• Open with a brief summary that states the role you're after.
• Start each bullet with a verb and end it with a result, such as orders packed per shift or tickets closed per week.
• Add an optional section, like certifications or volunteer work, when it fills a real gap.
• Write every date the same way, such as month and year, so the page looks finished.
• Cut anything a stranger would need explained, such as internal team names or acronyms.

For examples that carry a plain page, look at the plumber resume example: a named license and a specific task, such as testing pipe systems for leaks, say more than any graphic could. Pick a plain design, add your details and give the finished page one last read, then download it.