How to Choose the Right Resume Template for Your Job
The best template is not the prettiest one. It is the one that fits your field, shows your experience clearly and survives the way it will be read, whether by a person, by software or by both.
·5 min read·ImprovedCV Team
Start with how you will apply
- →Online portal or job board: choose a single-column, ATS-friendly template.
- →Direct email to a person or recruiter: you can use a more designed template.
- →Both: keep a plain ATS version and a designed one.
Match your industry
- →Law, finance, consulting, academia: traditional or Ivy League styles in serif type.
- →Technology: clean layouts with skills near the top.
- →Design and marketing: modern or creative with a restrained accent colour.
- →Healthcare: clean, ATS-friendly, with certifications visible.
- →Executives: calm, confident layouts with a strong summary.
Consider your experience level
Early career or career change: lead with education, projects and skills. Experienced professionals: lead with experience and keep education short.
Test before you commit
- →Check that your content fits on one page without shrinking the font
- →Try two or three templates with the same content
- →Open the PDF on a phone and in print preview
- →Check that you can select and copy the text
Browse all 44 CV templates
Get started freeFrequently asked questions
How many templates does ImprovedCV have?
There are 44 templates across nine categories. Eight are free; Pro unlocks all of them.
Should I use colour?
One restrained accent colour is fine. Choose one that prints clearly.