No resume template can guarantee an interview, but a clear, editable format can make it easier for employers to find relevant experience. For most applicants, a straightforward chronological or hybrid resume is the best starting point: use recognizable section headings, keep dates and job context clear, and tailor the content truthfully to each opening.
Which resume format should you choose?
Choose a format that presents your relevant qualifications clearly and is easy to update. UT Austin Career Services describes the resume’s purpose as helping an applicant get an interview; that is a statement of purpose, not evidence that a particular template increases interview odds.
| Format | Best suited to | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological | Applicants who want work history to be the central feature. | Transferable skills may be less prominent than in a hybrid layout. |
| Hybrid | Applicants who want to feature skills and achievements while retaining a clear work-history sequence. | Dates and the context for each role still need to be easy to follow. |
| Functional | Applicants with a specific reason to foreground skills over job chronology. | Jobscan says it does not typically recommend this format because recruiters may be suspicious when work history is downplayed. |
For many job seekers, a simple chronological or hybrid structure is a sensible default. Pick the one that best reflects your experience and the requirements of the role—not a promise of better interview results.
Where can you get an editable resume template?
Microsoft Word templates
Microsoft offers customizable resume templates and examples of ATS-oriented templates in Word. Choose a restrained design, then replace its sample text with your own relevant qualifications. The range of styles is a convenience, not an indication that every template suits every employer or application system. See Microsoft’s resume templates and its ATS resume templates and cover letters in Word.
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Jobscan templates and builder
Jobscan offers resume templates and an online builder, with additional features described on its product pages. Its statements about ATS optimization are vendor claims, not independent evidence that a template improves interview outcomes; check the current feature details before relying on any paid capability. Browse Jobscan’s resume templates and its ATS Resume Builder.
How can you make a template easier to read and submit?
Formatting recommendations are risk-reduction guidance, not a guarantee that every applicant-tracking system behaves the same way. UT Austin cautions that tables, columns, graphics, objects, LaTeX, and design-heavy sites may interfere with parsing. Penn notes that not all ATS can read tables, shapes, graphics, or images consistently, and recommends standard fonts, consistent design, and whitespace. Those cautions do not establish that every system rejects complex resumes.
- Use recognizable headings such as Experience, Education, and Skills.
- Keep dates, job titles, employers, and the context for each role clear.
- When applying online and unsure of the system, use a readable single-column layout and avoid decorative elements that could disrupt content order.
- Tailor each version to the opening. UT Austin recommends looking for relevant repeated terms in the job description and using terms that accurately match your own skills and experience.
- After uploading a file or pasting information into an application form, check that the content and its order are preserved.
For more guidance, see UT Austin Career Services’ applicant-tracking systems guidance and Penn Career Services’ resume and CV guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you submit a PDF or a Word document?
Use the file type and submission method specified by the employer. There is no universal rule: Penn notes that some systems may ask applicants to copy and paste resume content into a form, while the University of Victoria says PDF is suitable unless the posting requests Word. If the instructions are silent, choose a format that preserves the layout and confirm how the application displays the information. See the University of Victoria’s résumé guidance.
Quick Recap
How should you choose among templates?
- Start with the job posting. Identify the experience and qualifications it emphasizes, then select a format that makes your matching evidence easy to find.
- Choose a layout that fits your work history. Use chronological or hybrid organization for a clear sequence of roles; choose functional only when foregrounding skills serves a specific, defensible purpose.
- Prioritize readability over decoration. Prefer consistent fonts, spacing, and recognizable headings. For online applications where parsing is a concern, keep the structure simple.
- Customize the content. Use relevant job-description language only when it truthfully describes your experience. Do not leave template prompts, generic claims, or sample details in the final document.
- Follow the employer’s instructions and inspect the result. Submit the requested file type or enter the information as requested, then check that the application retains the intended content and order.
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