making a resume on google docs

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Easy Steps & Tricks to Make a Resume on Google Docs

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA . Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,790 times.

Did you know Google Docs has built-in resume templates? This wikiHow article will teach you how to make a resume in Google Docs manually or by using a template. It will also give you tips for creating an effective resume.

Things You Should Know

• Google Docs has 5 built-in resume templates that are quick and easy to use.
• Resumes usually include your name, contact information, summary/objective, education, personal history, and list of relevant skills.
• Personalize your resume for every job to include different keywords that might catch the eye of a hiring manager.

Using a Template

• Choose the one that most closely represents the information in your resume.
• For example, Coral might be the most simple-looking template, but it makes skimming your resume easier for recruiters especially if you have a lot of skills or experience.
• Modern writer looks like an assortment of fonts that could be on a typewriter, so this resume is probably good for any writing jobs.
• Spearmint is purely professional and is an excellent choice for showing off your previous work history.
• Swiss is very scannable and may catch the eye of a hiring manager or recruiter faster than the others.
• If none of these templates are what you are looking for, you can download additional templates from the web. Be sure the templates are from a trusted source before downloading.

• You shouldn't have to worry about formatting since all relevant formatting options are saved in the template.

Manually Making a Google Doc Resume

• To break your skills into two columns and save space, highlight your skills after you've written them out, then go to Format > Columns and then select the number of columns you want for that section.
• While this is a very basic resume, you can change the font sizes, colors, and style to suit your needs. You can also change the formatting of the page or the alignments of the sections to change how your resume looks.

Tips & Tricks

• To share your document, click Share in the top right corner of the page.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://support.google.com/docs/answer/148833?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en&oco=1z

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How to Make a Resume on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a resume might seem daunting, but with Google Docs, it’s a breeze! Google Docs is a free, web-based application where you can create, edit, and store documents and spreadsheets. You can access it from any computer with an internet connection and a web browser. In just a few steps, you can have a professional-looking resume ready to impress potential employers.

Step by Step Tutorial: Making a Resume on Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, remember that making a resume on Google Docs will require you to have a Google account. Once you have that set up and you’re logged in, you’ll be creating a new document, choosing a template, and filling in your information.

Step 1: Open Google Docs

Go to docs.google.com and sign in with your Google account.

When you arrive at Google Docs, you’ll see a blank page or the option to choose a template. If it’s your first time, you might want to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the layout. The menu bar at the top gives you access to all the tools you’ll need.

Step 2: Choose a Resume Template

Click on ‘Template Gallery’ and scroll down to the ‘Resumes’ section.

Google provides several resume templates, and you can pick one that suits your style and the job you’re applying for. Take your time to preview a few options before you decide. Remember, the content of your resume is what matters most, but a good design can help it stand out.

Step 3: Fill In Your Information

Replace the placeholder text with your personal and professional information.

This step is where you get to talk about how awesome you are! Be sure to include your contact information, work experience, education, skills, and any awards or recognitions you’ve received. Keep it concise and relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Step 4: Customize Your Resume

Adjust the fonts, colors, and layout to your preference.

Google Docs allows you to personalize your resume to reflect your personality. However, don’t get too carried away. Professionalism is key, so stick to clean fonts and colors that are easy on the eyes.

Step 5: Proofread and Save

Double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors, then save your document by clicking ‘File’ > ‘Download’ > ‘PDF’.

This might be the most important step. Typos and mistakes can be a turnoff for employers, so review your resume multiple times. Once you’re confident it’s error-free, save it as a PDF to preserve the formatting.

After completing these steps, you’ll have a sleek, professional resume ready to send out to potential employers. Remember, the content of your resume is what will really sell your skills and experience, so make sure it’s strong and compelling.

Tips for Making a Resume on Google Docs

• Keep your resume to one page, especially if you’re new to the job market.
• Use bullet points to make your experience and accomplishments easy to read.
• Include keywords from the job description in your resume to get past automated screening tools.
• Make sure your contact information is up to date and professional—no silly email addresses!
• Ask a friend or mentor to review your resume for feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i find the resume templates in google docs.

Go to the Template Gallery, and you’ll find resume templates listed under the ‘Resumes’ section.

Can I edit my resume on different devices?

Yes, Google Docs saves your documents in the cloud, so you can access and edit your resume on any device with internet access.

Is Google Docs the best tool for making a resume?

Google Docs is a great tool because it’s free and easy to use. There are other options out there, but for most people, Google Docs will do the trick.

Can I share my resume directly from Google Docs?

Absolutely! You can share it by email or with a shareable link right from Google Docs.

What if I need help with my resume content?

There are plenty of online resources and services that offer resume writing and review assistance.

• Open Google Docs
• Choose a Resume Template
• Fill In Your Information
• Customize Your Resume
• Proofread and Save

There you have it, a straightforward guide on how to make a resume on Google Docs. Remember, crafting a resume is all about presenting the best version of yourself on paper. It’s your one-page opportunity to showcase why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. While Google Docs offers a convenient and user-friendly platform, it’s the content that you add which makes the difference. So, take your time to tailor your resume for each application, highlight your achievements, and always proofread before sending it off. With a little effort and creativity, you’ll be landing your dream job in no time!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

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How to Make a Professional Resume in Google Docs

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The internet is full of resume templates , ranging from free to professional templates with both ugly and great ones in each category. While there are also templates for Google Docs available, there is no better feeling than creating something from scratch and on your own.

Regardless of what you may have heard, Google Docs has plenty of features to make beautiful, modern documents with. It's the perfect too to use to build your next resume with. 

In this tutorial, I'll show you how make a resume in Google Docs with a professional design. We'll make a great looking resume from scratch, and cover an easy to follow workflow from start to finish. Before we begin, you can  preview the final resume design  that we'll be creating. 

Do note that since Google Docs is a web app, you'll need to be online in any modern browser—I'd recommend Google Chrome —to complete this tutorial.

1. Start Your Google Docs Resume With a Header

To create a resume with Google Docs, first open your internet browser and go to https://docs.google.com . If you do not have a Google account, you will need to create one—it's free, and will just take a few seconds to signup.

Once you're signed in, open Google Docs and start with a new blank document ( File > New > Document ). If you plan to print this document later, it may be a good idea to select File > Page Setup and set the paper size to A4 or Letter depending on your location. The difference in the actual size is quite minor, but it can cause problems when printing. You can keep the margins default to 1 inch on every side.

When designing this Google Docs resume, we will go from the top to the bottom of the page, which means that the first thing will be the header. It will include your name and the address (and optionally other contacts such as email, your personal website, or social media profiles like Twitter). 

We want to have the name and the address next to each other,  Google Docs supports up to three columns in a document, but for this resume project we need more. Just like in the good old days of early web design, we will use tables to accomplish this task

Select menu Insert > Table and select table size 2x1 as shown on the screenshot below.

Right after inserting a table, grab the middle divider between the cells and move it more to the right to make the second column much smaller. The actual size is not that important as we will most likely tweak it later.

Type the name into the first cell, and the address into the second one. Select both cells and change the font to Droid Sans from the font drop-down menu.

It would be great to have your name in some more distinctive font, but the default list is intended for body text. To gain access to more fonts, open the font dropdown menu again and select the  More fonts  option.

On the drop-down menu that opens, the list of available fonts is much larger. Select, for example, the  Arvo font, and click OK to add it into the font drop-down menu. 

With so many nice-looking fonts, you may want to add more than just one, but remember that it is better to keep the font count to a minimum. For our resume, two fonts will be enough—one for the heading and one for the body text. We can still use different sizes, colors, and bold or italic variants.

Change the font for the name to the Arvo and increase the size to 30 pt from the font size drop-down menu.

To make the second line more visible, set the font to Arvo as well and make it Bold . Now both lines have almost the same width, which looks nice. Note: You can tweak the font size to get it perfect for your name and title though.

Since we already have text in a second cell, we can change its size so that the right edge of the text is aligned with the right side of the page. This will create a visual guideline even when we get rid of the table borders later.

Now select the whole table, and then select Table > Table properties .

In the dialog box, set the Tableborder to 0 pt , to make the borders invisible.

Here is how our Google Docs resume looks so far. We have two columns of text:

Let's continue with  how to make a resume on Google Docs, moving on to design additional sections of your resume.

2. Insert a Horizontal Line Divider Below the Header

To visually separate the header from the rest of the page, we'll now add a divider. We can simply select Insert > Horizontal line , but there is no way to customize this line. We have to use a different method instead.

Here's another method of how to make a horizontal line in Google Docs. Instead we'll select Insert > Special characters , and select Geometric Shapes . 

This section contains a lot of characters for creating tables which we will use later, together with lines in various widths. Select symbol Lower One Eight Block , click Insert , and copy paste this character using the  Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V shortcuts to fill the entire line.

Once you have enough symbols, select them and change the font color to Light Cornflower Blue 1 from the color drop-down menu. Try to remember this colors name, as we will use the very same color for the more elements later.

3. Insert Your Google Docs Resume Body

Now we'll move onto the next step of how to make a resume in Google Docs and focus on the body. For the body of your resume, we also need two columns. The technique is still the same—select Insert > Table and set it to 2x1 size.

We do not want the table to affect the margins. Select Table > Table properties , and in the dialog, set the Cell padding to 0 . This way we still get two columns, but no extra space around from the inside.

4. How to Add a Work Experience Section

Keep the text cursor in the first cell of the newly created table, and add another table inside this table. This table will be used to display your work experience. Select Insert > Table , and this time, set the size to 3x4 cells. Why this size? 

The three columns will be used for each work experience to display year, helper graphics and an actual text. We need four rows for four different jobs. You may create more or less rows depending on your needs.

As you can see below, we have a smaller table inside a larger one. Before adjusting this small table, it may be a good idea to add a caption. Simply type the word “ Experience ”, and change the font to Arvo , sized 14 pt .

If you already have your resume text prepared, you can copy and paste it into this table. If not, it may be a good time to think about what to include in your Google Docs resume. From resume design templates to step-by-step guides of what to include on your resume— our Envato Tuts+ series on creating resumes has plenty of tutorials to help.

In some rare cases, you may have your old resume printed without the source file available. In that case, be sure to check the tutorial:

When typing or copying the text, the first column should contain the time period and the third column should be filled with the description of the work.The middle column should stay empty for now.

As usual, select the whole table, then  Table > Table properties , and set the Cell padding to 0 . This way there will be no extra space inside, but we still have three columns of text.

Drag the borders in between the cells to make the right column as big as possible, to make sure we keep the whole table only on the first page. The middle column can be quite small, as shown on the picture below:

Now it's a perfect time to look at the middle column more closely. We want to have a timeline, with a marker for each date. The timeline should be made of lines, where the markers could be big plus symbols.

Google Docs allows you to insert a drawing, but we would have to update it for each cell, since they have different heights. A much better solution would be to use special symbols. Select Insert > Special characters .

In the dialog box, select Geometric Shapes , and locate the line and cross symbols. Insert them into the middle column—if you look closely at the screenshot below, the text cursor is in the middle cell.

Keep only one instance of the cross symbol, but copy and paste the line multiple times until this middle cell is larger than the right one. To have the lines without any additional spacing and next to each other, select  Line Spacing and set it to Single .

If you have very small gaps between the lines, they are caused by the different font renderings. They will not be presented in a final PDF file. However, they do not look good in here. One way to solve this issue is to select those symbols and set them to Bold .

As mentioned above, keep in mind that the visual appearance of the final PDF file may look slightly different than what you see on the screen. Those tiny gaps between the lines are a perfect example. 

If you want to be sure the resume output file will look perfect, you can quickly export a .pdf file using File > Download as > PDF Document and check the visual appearance during the creation. What's great about a PDF file is that it will look exactly the same on any device, using any viewer application.

Our timeline looks good, but it's maybe too visible. We can select all the line symbols, and change the color to light gray, using the text color drop-down menu.

Once we are satisfied with the result, we can copy and paste those symbols into all cells in the middle column. Using a menu on the top, set a Center align for the middle column, and a Right align for the left column.

For the first line of each work experience, we can change the font to Bold Droid Sans and set the same blue color as we have used for the divider on the top of the page.

Here is how our Google Docs resume looks so far. We keep the borders of the tables visible to make the editing easier, but once we're done, make them invisible just like we did for the header.

5. Insert a Right Column For Your Education and Profile

It looks like we still a bit of work ahead, but the right side will be much quicker, as we'll reuse some parts already created. Now select the whole left part of the table and copy it into the clipboard using the Ctrl-C  (Command C on a Mac) shortcut.

Move the cursor into the right cell, and paste it using the Ctrl-V shortcut.

Change the label above the table to “ Education ”, and insert or type in the appropriate data. In our example, I have used only the first two rows. For that reason, I have selected the content of the other two rows, and deleted the text using the Delete key. However, the cells are still there.

Keep the rows selected, and select the  Table > Delete row function.

Finally, we can copy and paste the caption above the table one more time, change it to “ Profile ” and add some plain text as shown below:

6. Add a Space in Between the Columns

For this step in how to make a resume in Google Docs we'll add another section and fix a spacing issue.

Looking at the Google Docs resume preview above, you may realize that the space between the work experience table and profile text is very small. It would be great to know this right from the beginning, but even now, the update should not take a long time.

Place the cursor somewhere over the “ Experience ” label, and select Table > Insert column right . Warning: do not be scared, this will temporarily ruin the layout, as we'll cover how to fix that.

We indeed have three columns, but the middle one is too big and the other two are too small.

Drag the borders on each side of the middle column to make it smaller, just like shown in the picture below (now everything looks perfect.):  

Select the work experience table, and select Table > Table properties . In here, set the Table border to 0 pt to make it invisible. Repeat the process for both the education table and the main table.

7. Add a Divider on the Bottom of the Page

The very last touch is to add a thicker divider on the bottom of the page. This time we'll use a different method.

Select Insert > Table and select table sized 1x1 cells.

Open the table properties, set the Table border to 0 pt , Cell background color to blue and Cell padding to 0 .

To change the table height, simply adjust the font size inside this table. Make it as small as possible, which is 6 pt . You may have to type 6 into the font box, since the drop-down menu options start at 8.

And that´s it! Zoom out your document to see the whole page and double check everything:

8. How to Export the Document as a PDF File

Once you are satisfied with your result, name your document. Then, select File > Download as > PDF Document , and save the file to your computer.

Or, if you'd rather export in other formats, check out our tutorial:

If you do save the resume in another format, though, be sure to open it on your computer to make sure it looks the same as it did in Google Docs. To discover which resume format is best, review the Tuts+ article:

The second option is to directly share the file which you have created. For more information about this topic, be sure to check the tutorial:

With a professional resume design in hand, now all that's left is to send it off to the employer of your dreams. Good luck on landing the new position you apply to. 

Now that we've explained how to make a resume in Google Docs, you're ready to go.

The tutorial ends here, but you should not. Try to experiment a little bit. What about using a different font, colors  or dot symbol instead of the cross? Those changes can make your resume unique looking, and they are very easy to do. Go for it and be sure to post your creations in the comments!

Editorial Note: This post was originally published in 2014. It has been comprehensively revised to make current, accurate, and up to date by our staff—with special assistance from Laura Spencer .

Create a Resume in Google Docs

Design, write, and format a professional resume that stands out.

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Creating Your Resume With Google Docs: Career Coach's Playbook

Do’s and don’t of creating a resume with Google Docs, common pitfalls to avoid, and tips to help you get your resume past ATS.

9 months ago   •   5 min read

Since your resume is your first impression on potential employers, you’ll want to make sure it’s a good one. Google Docs provides user-friendly resume templates to help you land more interviews.

With an ATS-friendly resume template, you can use Google Docs to edit and curate your resume to showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments.

In this article, we will give you a breakdown of how that’s done, including:

• Getting started on Google Drive
• Choosing an ATS-friendly template

Tips to customize your resume template on Google Docs

Sharing and saving your resume on google docs.

• How to avoid common resume pitfalls on Google Docs

So let’s dive in.

Getting start ed on Google Drive

Many of us are on Google Drive already, but if you don’t have an account, it’s super easy to get one. Just go to workspace.google.com , click ‘Get Started’ and enter the required information.

Choosing a resume template

Once you’re in Google Drive, click the ‘New’ button in the top left corner, select ‘Google Doc,’ and then ‘from a template.’ Here’s what that looks like:

What template should I use?

Choose a resume template that is ATS-ready.

Before looking at resumes with human eyes, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords and qualifications.

With the wrong template, your resume could get lost in the ‘pile.’

Download one of our Google Docs Resume Templates to get started. You’ll have the option of opening it in Google Docs.

What makes a resume ATS-friendly?

An ATS-friendly resume is simple, clear, and easy to read. Images and graphics, and inconsistent formatting make it harder for Applicant Tracking Systems to find the keywords employers are looking for.

For more, check out our recent post How to Beat Applicant Tracking Systems .

• Highlight your relevant skills and experience and incorporate them in multiple areas— Summary , Skills , and Experience . Doing so will help ATS find them better.
• Organize the information on your resume so that it isn’t hard for hiring managers and ATS to find your relevant skills and experience.
• Only add current and relevant skills and experience to the job you’re applying for.
• Search for keywords from the job application to get a sense of what the company is looking for.
• Ensure the formatting you use in your resume is clear, professional, easy to read, and consistent, with the same font and size throughout the resume.
• Use bold or italics to highlight important information, rather than lines and graphics. Also, break it up sections with white space to make the resume easy to read.

Here’s an example of how our Clean resume template can be customized to showcase the candidate’s skills and experience:

And here’s an example of how our Concise with Summary resume template can be customized to suit your experience:

Once your resume is done and ready to be circulated, it’s important to save it in a secure location.

To save your resume using Google Docs:

• Click ‘File’ in the top left corner.
• Click ‘Download’ from the dropdown menu.
• Select the file type you want your resume to be in (typically .docx or PDF).

Your hiring managers will most likely request a PDF version of your resume. But if you’d like to share it through Google Docs, click Share in the top right corner.

A menu will pop up in the middle of the screen allowing you to share it with friends or potential employers. Input their email address to share the Doc.

How to avoid resume pitfalls on Google Docs

Google Docs’ resume templates are extremely user-friendly. Still, there are guidelines to keep in mind to avoid some of the most common resume pitfalls:

• Do not use an unprofessional email address (e.g. your first and last name, rather than the name of your cat).
• Do not use any colors, images, or graphics unless absolutely necessary.

If you’re applying for a job that demands creative, artistic, and graphic design skills, however, it may be useful to add one or two examples of your work.

• Do not add information that doesn’t apply to the job you’re applying for.

ATS looks for specific keywords. If you’re having trouble choosing the right language, check out our Targeted Resume tool.

• Do not rely on Spellcheck to proofread your resume. The technology won’t find every single grammar error or poor word choice. So before sending it off, ask a friend to do a final proofread to check for any spelling and grammar errors you may have missed.
• Do not use a template that is incompatible with ATS.

Here’s an example of a resume template that is not ATS-friendly:

And here’s how to clean it up for ATS:

See the difference? Google Docs is a user-friendly way to create a well-polished resume using a template. It is, however, only a starting point.

It is crucial to choose an ATS-friendly resume template and then customize it to highlight relevant skills and experience. Keep your formatting consistent. Proofread, and then proofread some more!

As a final step, check out our free Score My Resume tool to get instant feedback.

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How to Make a Resume on Google Docs

• Last updated November 16, 2023

Looking for a job? Wondering how to make a resume on Google Docs? You may have struggled to make your document stand out in the past – but not anymore! 

With the right CV template in Google Docs, you can create them quickly. Just open the Google Docs template library, pick the outline that suits your needs, and enter all of the corresponding information. 

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through how to make a resume on Google Docs in just a few minutes. I’ve also included free resume templates made by our Spreadsheet Point experts! 

Table of Contents

What Are the Basics to Include on My Resume? 

Clear, concise, and well-researched resumes improve your chances of a hiring manager calling you back. Only include details that are relevant to the job description. Focus on – and highlight – your relevant skills, experience, accomplishments, and strengths. 

At its most basic, a resume should include the following: 

1. Contact Information

Add your full name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn account (if available). Though adding your mailing address is unnecessary, you might want to add your city if the position is location-dependent. 

2. Introduction

An introduction can be in the form of a resume objective or summary. This should include your qualifications, previous roles, and professional background.

Note : In some parts of the world, resumes include photos . In the United States, it is advisable to avoid using them. 

3. Education

Here, include the name of your schools and your highest degrees (e.g., major, minor). Additionally, you can add relevant certifications and coursework if they relate to your desired position or if you’re applying for an entry-level position.

4. Work Experience

In this section, add your relevant experiences in the specific field . Include the job title, the organization you worked for, and the period of time you worked there. A bullet point list may be optimal to provide an overview of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

5. Skills Section

Add the hard and soft skills , qualifications, and accomplishments that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. The purpose is to illustrate that you are a well-rounded candidate. 

Looking to Take Your Skills to the Next Level? 

Google Suite is an essential part of most workplaces. To add proficiency to your resume, consider taking a comprehensive GSuite course on Udemy!

What Is an Applicant Tracking System? 

When making a resume in Google Drive, choose a template that’s visually appealing and readable by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) .

Employers use ATS software for storing, filing, and searching candidates’ resumes. By scanning for specific keywords, ATS helps organize (and locate) the best job candidates. ATS software is advanced, but it’s certainly not perfect. Any formatting issues can make it hard for the software to read the resume.

When you’re creating a resume on Google Docs, exclude these elements:

• Images (e.g., photos, graphics, graphs, logos)
• Less Common Fonts

How to Optimize Your Resume for an ATS

If you want your resume to pass through the automatic sorting process used by most applicant-tracking systems, include keywords associated with the specific position you’re applying to. That might mean making several versions of a resume in Google Docs. 

Here are a few considerations when building an ATS-friendly resume:

• Include all relevant credentials
• Use industry-specific keywords
• Include specific job titles and work experience
• Type out the full name of certifications

With these additions, you’ll be more likely to appear at the top of the applicant pool. Some hiring managers sort resumes by keyword, so make sure you include the full name of your certifications, programming languages, or other industry-specific skills.

If you don’t wish to create your resume from scratch, there are a few resume outlines for Google Docs that you can use. Here’s how to use Google Docs resume formats from the template gallery:

• Open your Google Docs account and click on the template gallery button .

• Scroll down to the Resumes section. Click the CV template in Google Docs that appeals to you. For this example, we’re using the ‘Modern Writer Resume Template.”

• You can also print the resume template by clicking on File > Print .

A Note About Resume File Formatting

If you download the file, we suggest using the PDF Document (.pdf) format. This will lock the file and prevent further edits. You can, however, convert the PDF back to other file types later. If you want to allow future edits, most word processors widely support Microsoft Word (.docx).

The Best Free Resume Templates from Google Docs

Google Docs has several CV templates – and all of them are supported by ATS software.

Coral Resume

One of the best resume formats on Google Docs is Coral. This general resume template uses color to differentiate various sections. Most major categories (e.g., skills, experience, education, awards) are highlighted by a coral color. The start of the resume allows you to add contact details like address, phone number, and email.

Note : Be sure to delete the “Hello” and “I’m” at the top!

Spearmint Resume

The Spearmint template is suitable for people already working in a specific field. It features the contact details at the top and the typical categories further down the page. 

This Google Docs resume template is compatible with ATS software. However, when filling out this resume template, format the Experience category with proper bullet points.

Modern Writer Resume

This free Google Docs resume template has a modern aesthetic, with colors emphasizing the names and locations. 

While the skills are added to the top part of the page, you can change the order or remove/add new ones, depending on your requirements.

Free Custom CV Templates from Spreadsheet Point

General resume template.

Access Template

This Google Docs resume template is simple to use and easy to understand. In the left column, add contact information, education, skills, and other interests. In the right column, add your profile and job experience. 

This template is best suited for people with plenty of work experience.

Streamlined Resume Template

Sometimes, it’s best to keep things simple. With this streamlined template, recruiters will be able to find the section they want instantly. It features key sections, such as summary, experience, education, and relevant skills.

Tip : For a more custom experience, change the text color, font size, and border width.

Modern Resume Template

If you’re looking for a more modern look, this template might be perfect for you. Featuring all the sections you require (e.g., skills, contact information, languages, experiences, education), it’s divided into two separate columns.

How to Create a Google Docs Resume Template from Scratch

Making a new resume can be a time-consuming process, but we recommend it if you need a highly customized option.

What Types of Resumes Exist?

There are three commonly used resume formats. 

1. Chronological Resume

Here, your work history is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. You’ll emphasize your employment with clear job titles and work history dates. 

Note : Exercise caution if you have substantial employment gaps or are entering the workforce for the first time. 

2. Functional Resume

A functional resume might be good for you if you’re new to – or reentering – the workforce. Also called a skills-based resume, it emphasizes your areas of expertise without a chronological work history. 

Note : Some recruiters don’t prioritize these types of resumes.  

3. Combination Resume

As the name suggests, combination resumes blend the qualities of chronological and functional resumes. It’s recommended for showcasing substantial employment history, past experience, and skills that were honed over time. 

Tips for Using a Google Docs Resume Template

Are Google resumes good? Absolutely! But Google Docs resume templates require more than just copy-pasting your information into a file: You need to personalize it!

Enter the Correct Information

Review all the content before finalizing it. I usually take a break for a few hours (or days) before finalizing my files. Otherwise, I occasionally ask a friend to proofread them. 

Personalize Your Layout

Even though you’re starting with a CV template, your resume doesn’t need to look like everyone else’s. 

• Change the colors of the headings
• Use different fonts
• Include various heading and font sizes
• Add the proper bullet point formatting
• Increase or decrease the font to fit the content better on the page.
• Remove or add sections to fit the job description.

Example : Updated Swiss Resume

Strike a Balance

When I add my skills and experiences to any Google Docs resume template, I keep it brief and succinct. If you add too many details, the reader will probably ignore it. However, if you add too few details, the reader might not glean enough from your CV. 

Keep It Short

Whenever possible, it’s ideal to keep your resume on one page . This requires a lot of close reading, formatting, and editing, but you want recruiters to spot your achievements and skills immediately. 

Include Social Media

When used correctly, your social media presence can have a major impact on recruitment. If you have any questionable publications, I’d recommend scrubbing them! 

Show Results with Numbers

If you can provide specific numerical examples of your accomplishments, use them. Metrics are always a great way to measure success. 

Optimize Text

Look through the job description and highlight words or phrases that stand out. Identify the most frequently used terms and be sure to insert them (without looking too obvious). 

Check Your Grammar

Many employers will ignore your resume if they spot incorrect grammar or typos. Run your CV through spellcheck! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between resumes and cover letters .

The sole purpose of your resume (or CV) is to show recruiters that you’re qualified for the advertised position. In a nutshell, it’s an advertisement for yourself.   

Also known as a motivation letter, a cover letter i s often paired with a resume. This single-page document is really just a resume summary, showing potential employers how your skills and abilities will benefit their company. A customized motivation letter also demonstrates that you’ve spent time researching the position being offered. 

Related : Check out These Cover Letter Templates

Do Google Docs Have Free Resume Templates?

Absolutely! Google Docs free resume templates. Go to the main Google Docs landing page and click on the Template Gallery button in the upper-right corner. 

Is It Better to Create a Resume on Google Docs or Word?

Google Docs resumes are great, but they’re also commonly used. That means they aren’t always the best if you’re looking to highlight your professionalism. Docs and Word have similar features, so there isn’t much difference when using one or the other for creating a resume.

What Is the Best Resume Format on Google Docs?

Google Docs offers several resume templates, including Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer. All of these resume templates are great for building a CV. Plus, they’re all readable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

How Do I Make My Resume Fit on One Page in Google Docs?

If the content in your template nearly fits on one page, go to File > Page setup . Reduce the left and right margins to fit more content on the page. Play around with font size, paragraph spacing, and the white space around headings.

Wrapping Up

Now you know how to make a resume on Google Docs! Whether you use one of our templates, Google Docs’ templates, or you build one “from scratch,” your next job application couldn’t be easier! 

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Ready to start a new career? Simply looking to create an updated resume? Making a job resume is super simple when using a tool like Google Docs.

Here, we'll guide you through the elements you need for your resume and how to make a simple resume inside Google Docs.

How to Make a Resume: The Elements You Need

Google Docs is an easy-to-use word processing tool you can use to make a simple yet clean resume. However, although the resume you'll create here is simple and quick, there's always room for you to make it your own.

No matter how you design your resume , here are the basic elements it should have:

• Name and contact info: You'll want to include your full name as well as your contact info, including phone number, address, and email address.
• Summary: This is a short description (2-3 sentences) that explains how you're the right choice for the type of positions you're applying for. It should quickly highlight your skills and experience.
• Education: You'll want to highlight your educational background, including the schools you've attended and when (a year range will work just fine).
• Work experience: In this section, you'll explain your work experience, including the positions you've held, each employer (if applicable), and your responsibilities in each role.
• Skills: You should highlight your skills on your resume that apply to the types of roles you're applying for. These may include anything from typing skills to languages spoken.

Ready to get started? First, you'll need to open a new Google document. Then, follow these steps to start creating your new resume.

1. Add Your Name & Contact Info

First, we're going to add your name and contact info to the top of the resume. There are many ways to do this, but we're going to keep it simple.

Start by typing your name and then hit enter (or return). Then, type your phone number, address, and email address, each separated by two spaces and a forward slash.

Then, center align your text. You'll want to change the size of the font of your name to make it stand out. A font size of 20 is a great place to be.

To make sure everything fits on one page, you can change the line spacing to single. Simply select Format > Line & paragraph spacing > Single .

2. Write Your Summary

Underneath your name and contact info is the perfect place for your summary. Simply go down a couple of lines and add it in. For this example, keep your summary center aligned.

If you're struggling to write your summary, remember to keep it simple. Focus on your top strength. A couple of lines is all you need, so don't overthink it.

3. Create an Education Section

Next, you'll want to add in your education. Go down a few lines and create an “Education” header. The Header 2 size inside Google Docs works great.

Underneath that, type out the name of the school, your degree (if applicable), and the years you attended. How you format this is completely up to you.

Keep creating new lines until you add in all of your education.

4. Create a Work Experience Section

For this section, you'll want to create a new header just you did before. However, for the following text, left align for cleaner formatting.

Start a new line, left-aligned, and add in your most recent job title or role. Bold that role, add a comma, and then add in the employer or company name.

Underneath that, add in the years you spent in that position. Go down a couple of lines and start a bulleted list. Here, you'll explain your key responsibilities in the role.

We recommend keeping this to 2-3 bullets, so you have plenty of space for additional experience.

5. Finish With Your Skills

Add a header just like you did in the other steps, a couple of lines under your experience. Then, center align and add in your skills.

If you want to make this look a bit more polished and save space, you can cut your skills into columns. To do so, highlight your list of skills and select Format > Columns . Then, select two or three columns, depending on how many skills you have listed.

That's it! Now you have a simple resume that's ready to share. Of course, you can make edits and play around with the formatting until you're happy with the result.

Most employers will appreciate a PDF version of your resume during review. Luckily, Google Docs makes it easy to download your resume as a PDF. Simply select File > Download > PDF Document .

Try a Resume Template

If you want to avoid making a new resume from scratch, you can do so by using a Google Docs template. On your Google Docs home screen under Templates, you'll find several built right in.

Simply select one and get to creating. If you want something else, do a quick search for “Google Docs resume templates” in Google. You'll find hundreds you can download and use.

Take Your Resume to the Next Level

Want to deliver a showstopping resume to our potential employer? All you need are a few more tips. Luckily, we have more insights to share to ensure you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

• Work & Career
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How To Make a Resume in Google Docs

Google Docs is part of the free Google Workspace, and it is a popular tool for creating resumes. You can either use one of the five templates provided by Google Docs, download or purchase a template from another source, or create your resume without using a template.

This article will cover whether you should use Google Docs to create your resume, how to do so with a template or by creating your resume from scratch, and some tips for creating the best possible resume.

Should You Create a Resume in Google Docs?

There are pros and cons to using Google Docs to create a resume. As far as pros, it’s free, easy to use, has built-in templates, and you can access your resume from any computer with internet since all documents are stored on Google Drive. You can also play around with fonts , colors, columns, and so forth quite easily.

However, the free template options within Google Docs are limited, so it can be difficult to create a truly unique resume unless you significantly customize your resume. Also, the program is technically a word processor that isn’t strictly designed for the purpose of resume creation. One other limiting factor is that you can only create columns of equal width, so you would not be able to make a resume that has one narrow column and one wide column, unless you use one of the pre-made templates .

Google Docs also doesn’t necessarily generate resumes that are ATS -optimized, and it can take a lot of time to switch between templates (since you’ll need to re-enter your information into each template).

As an alternative to Google Docs, Jobseeker offers a resume builder tool that includes a library of polished, ATS-optimized templates that are easily customizable. It’s simple to swap between layouts and templates with a single click, and you can download your professional resume instantly when you are happy with it.

However, if you prefer to stick with Google Docs, you can definitely still create a strong resume. Here’s how:

How To Use a Google Docs Resume Template

You can either use a native Google Docs template or import one:

Step 1: Choose a Template

To use a Google Docs template, log in to your Google account, open Google Drive, and click ‘new.’ Then mouse over the arrow next to ‘Google Docs’ and click ‘From a Template.’ You can then select one of the five built-in resume templates: Coral, Modern Writer, Spearmint, Serif, or Swiss. Select the one that you like the best and remember that if you want to change templates later, you will need to re-enter all of your data in the new template.

You can also download or purchase a Google Docs resume template from the internet, and follow the instructions that come with the template to get it imported into Google Docs.

Step 2: Fill In Your Resume Header

Once you’ve decided on your resume template, you can begin entering your information. Start with your header, which should contain your full name, your email address and phone number, and LinkedIn URL. You can also include your mailing address or general location information as well as links to other social media and/or an online portfolio if applicable.

Most templates will have these fields built in, but if you want to include multiple links you may need to adjust the formatting.

Step 3: Write Your Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Next, add your job title and your resume summary or resume objective , depending on your situation. A resume summary is best if you have at least some professional experience, while a resume objective is suitable for recent graduates, students, or those otherwise entering the professional workforce for the first time.

Your resume summary or objective should serve to capture a hiring manager’s interest and persuade them to continue reading the rest of your resume.

Step 4: Enter Your Work Experience, Education, and Skills

Then, enter in all of your work experience , education details, and skills into their respective resume sections. Most of this will simply be filling in the blanks, but you can make these sections as interesting and powerful as possible by including bullet points under each entry.

For your work experience bullet points, focus on your achievements in those positions rather than listing your job duties. Potential employers likely already know what your job duties were from your job title, so it’s more in your interest to use your valuable resume real estate describing how you succeeded in those roles. Wherever possible, use numbers and data to quantify your accomplishments.

Step 5: Add Optional Resume Sections

If you still have space left over on your resume after adding all the essential information, you can then consider adding optional resume sections. Your resume should be no more than a single page if you have less than 10 years of experience and no more than two pages if you have more experience than that.

If you still have room, consider adding sections like languages , volunteer experience, internships , hobbies and interests, extracurricular activities (if you are a student), awards and achievements , publications , certifications , etc.

However, be sure that everything you add to your resume is relevant to the job that you are applying for or gives a potential employer insight into your qualifications and/or personality - avoid adding sections solely to fill space.

How To Create a Resume in Google Docs Without a Template

If you decide not to use a template, it may take you longer to set up your resume, but you can be sure that it’s original and unique. Include all of the same information outlined above, and be sure to clearly label each section with a header.

You can play with various text styles and emphasis such as bolding or italicizing text to create visual interest. Google Docs also has several pre-made heading settings or you can set your own Heading 1 (H1), Heading 2 (H2), and normal text parameters. Whatever text style you decide to use for your headings, subheadings, and body text, be sure that it’s consistent throughout.

Tips for Creating Your Google Docs Resume

Finally, here are some tips for how to create a successful resume in Google Docs:

Keep the Format and Style Clean and Simple

Select a resume format that best suits your situation - for most people, this will be a reverse chronological resume format, although you can also use a functional or combination resume format. Use no more than two columns and be sure to use headers and bullet points to break up the text.

While you can play around with interesting fonts (especially if you are making a creative resume), it’s generally best to stick with one or two professional fonts, such as:

• Trebuchet MS

You can also change the color of your text, but be sure to keep your resume professional and easy to read. Keep your body text black or dark gray, and if you decide to use a color for your name and headings, select something that’s not overly loud or garish. Ensure that any colors you choose will look good both on a screen and when printed out.

Tailor It To Each Position

Your job application will likely be far more successful if you tailor your resume to each job opening rather than use a general resume for all of your applications. Use a resume template to ease this process. Be sure to mention the company and the position that you are applying for by name in your resume summary or objective, and identify and use keywords from the job description. Make it clear in your resume that you are the best candidate for the job by addressing as many of the employer’s requirements, qualifications, and desired characteristics as possible in your resume.

Proofread Your Resume Carefully

Before submitting your resume, be sure to carefully edit and proofread it. Don’t simply rely on Google Docs’ spell check function - read through your resume carefully yourself or enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to check it over for you.

Create a Matching Cover Letter

Google Docs also has cover letter templates available that match the Spearmint, Swiss, and Modern Writer resume templates, so you can easily create a coordinating cover letter . If you decide to create your own resume, use the same fonts and color scheme to create a unified personal brand for your entire application.

Download Your Google Docs Resume as a PDF

You can submit your resume as either a .docx or PDF document, and Google Docs allows you to download your completed resume as either file type. However, a PDF will preserve your careful formatting and ensure that your resume looks the same to anyone who opens it. When you save your resume as a .docx file, the fonts, colors, and formatting can get scrambled, leaving your resume untidy or even illegible.

Save your resume PDF with a professional file name, such as ‘JohnSmithResume’ or something similar. That way, it’s immediately clear to the hiring manager what document they are looking at and it helps prevent any mixups.

Key Takeaways

Google Docs provides a free, relatively easy way to create a resume either from a template or from scratch. While a Google Docs resume might not be the most polished or unique document, it is a great place to start for those who are new to the workforce or who are not ready to invest in a more professional resume just yet.

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10 google docs resume templates to land your dream job.

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The internet is not forever, so it's time to preserve what you can, when should you use ztna instead of a vpn, quick links, google docs template gallery resumes, canvas resume template, windsor resume template, creative resume template, glimmer resume template, golder resume template.

Building a resume from scratch takes a lot of time. Instead of using your energy formatting and aligning your experience, skills, and education, why not start with a template ? Here are several Google Docs resume templates to get you started.

Google Docs does offer free resume options in its Template Gallery. However, you'll only find a handful. For additional options, we've included some third-party templates you can download to Docs or Drive and use for free.

If you want to look at the offerings in Google Docs before venturing to a third party, you can pick from five resume templates.

Visit Google Docs and select "Template Gallery" at the top. If you changed your settings to hide recent templates, hover your cursor over the plus sign on the bottom right and click "Choose Template."

Scroll down to the Resumes section to see the options. You can pick from Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer.

Choose any template to open it in Google Docs. Give it a name on the top left like any other Google Doc and then simply replace the placeholder text in each section with your own.

Related: 7 Time-Saving Google Docs Features You Need to Know

If you have a lot of details to include in your resume but aren't sure of the best format, the Canvas resume template is ideal. It offers clearly divided sections making it easy for potential employers to read and find what they need.

To obtain the template, visit Resume Genius and scroll to the Canvas Resume Template. Select "Create a Copy of This Resume" below the image.

Then, pick "Make a Copy" on the subsequent screen.

When the template opens, just name the resume and swap out the details with your own.

Another option from Resume Genius is this Windsor resume template. It offers a splash of color with a single shade of blue. This is a good option if you have one educational item to include which is highlighted right at the top with the professional profile. The section for work experience is nice and big with a spot for additional skills at the bottom.

To get the template, visit Resume Genius and scroll to the Windows Resume Template. Select "This Free Resume Template" below the image and then like the template above, click "Make a Copy" to get started.

Give your resume a name and replace the information with your own.

Related: How to Insert a PDF Into a Google Doc

If you work in the creative field, you may want a resume that offers some pizzazz. This Creative resume template does just that while remaining professional and useful. You have a designated spot at the top for a summary statement which a great introduction to the rest of your resume details .

To use the template, visit Beam Jobs and scroll to the Creative template. Click "Creative" to open the template in Google Docs.

Once in Docs, select File > Make a Copy to copy the template for your own use. Give it a name and pick "Make a Copy."

When the template appears, swap out the placeholder text with your own.

If it's your skills that you want to highlight rather than your job experience, check out the Glimmer resume template for Google Docs. You have contact details and a summary at the top. Then, the skills area lets you use a star system to display your expertise and experience for each skill. Finish it up with your work history at the bottom.

To obtain this template, visit Hloom and click "Download Template" on the Glimmer option.

Once the file downloads, head to Google Docs to upload and open it like any other file. You can also upload the resume template to Google Drive and then open it in Docs. Give it a name and replace the sample details with your own.

Related: How to Create a PDF from a Google Docs Document

One more resume template for Google Docs you'll want to look at is the Golder template. With a subtle gray background, the template uses pops of gold color for the experience, education, and a skill star system.

To use the template, visit Zety and scroll down to the Golder option. Select "Copy" beneath the image and then "Make a Copy" on the subsequent screen.

Give your template a name, replace the sample text with your own, and you're set.

Gathering your details, wording them attractively, and finalizing your resume is a job in itself. You don't do it all from scratch with a Google Docs resume template to help.

For more, look at how to use the LinkedIn Resume Assistant if you use Word in addition to Docs.

• Google Docs

8+ Best Google Docs Resume Templates—and How to Use Them

I remember the first time I had to write a resume . I was 16 and applying to a role at American Eagle (yes, I made a resume in high school; no, I did not need one to get an after-school job; yes, I was very extra). Having zero context for what one should look like, I took my older brother’s resume and copy-and-pasted my own experience into his template.

Maybe that’s your go-to strategy: Find someone with a great resume and make it your own. I won’t deny it worked well for me—and I still use that same template to this day.

Once you perfect your resume, check out open jobs on The Muse to maximize your chances »

But if you’ve never made a resume and don’t have someone else’s to work off of, you may be in need of a template. We’ve collected eight of our favorite Google Docs resume templates that are fun and cheap (if not free!)—as well as some tips for using them to your advantage.

What makes a good resume template?

You want to pick one that’s visually appealing, easy to use, and allows you to include all the necessary resume sections. But you should also choose a resume template that can be easily “read” by an applicant tracking system (ATS) . 

ATSs are software that most employers use to store, file, and search candidate resumes to help them stay organized and find the applicants that meet the most qualifications. These programs are pretty advanced, but they’re far from perfect, and certain types of formatting may make it difficult or impossible for an ATS to accurately parse your resume.

To give yourself the best chance of getting to the next round of hiring, you want to make sure  the Google Docs resume template you choose doesn’t include any of these formatting elements:

• Images , including photos ( in the U.S. ), logos, graphics, graphs, other visuals, or text contained in any of these elements
• Headers and footers
• Less common fonts
• Columns: ATSs are programmed to read left to right, so they’ll often read columns straight across rather than reading each column from top to bottom. If this doesn’t change the experience of reading your resume, columns may be OK.

Best built-in Google Docs resume templates

Want to make creating a resume in Google Docs super easy on yourself? Choose one of Google’s premade resume templates. If you’re on docs.google.com, just click on “Template gallery” near the top right of the page and scroll down to see your resume options. If you’re already in a Google Doc, you’ll want to click “File”> “New” > “From template gallery” to see all of your options.

While Google has five built-in templates, we only recommend three of them for getting through any ATS you might encounter.

1.  Google Docs Coral resume template

Need something super simple? Look no further than this resume created right in Google Docs. With just a pop of color and clear direction as to what goes where and how to best organize your information, you can’t go wrong with this template. To make sure the ATS doesn’t get confused, you’ll want to just delete the “Hello” and “I’m” from the top of the page. Then it’s your choice whether you want your name in black or coral.

2. Google Docs Spearmint resume template

What we like most about this resume template is that the skills section goes first, which makes it perfect for career changers .

Why, you ask? Listing your skills at the top allows you to emphasize what you bring to the table (a.k.a., your transferable skills ), especially to a hiring manager who may not be able to tell how your past experiences apply to their job posting. (This resume format , where your skills are listed above your work history, is called the hybrid or combination resume .)

If you’re using this template as a career changer, make sure to keep it relevant to the job you want. This may mean removing certain jobs and skills that don’t add to your qualifications for the role you’re applying for, and possibly renaming the “Experience” section, “Relevant Experience.”

And don’t forget to tailor your bullets to apply to the job’s requirements.

3. Google Docs Modern Writer Modern Writer resume template

This is the third and final of Google’s default resume templates that we recommend. Like the “Spearmint” template above, the skills are at the top of the page, but remember that you can always tweak the order of a resume template to suit your situation (just copy and paste to move a section up or down if needed!).

Other Google Docs resume templates

Here are a few more templates from around the internet that can be opened as Google Docs files.

4. The Muse’s Resume Template

Yes, we made a resume template on Google Docs! It’s free, easy to plug your own information into, and explains where everything should go and how, from what your bullets should look like to what skills you should list.

Just click “File” > “Make a copy” to create your own copy.

5. Career Reload’s Mindy resume template

This Google doc template from Career Reload makes it easy for anyone reading your resume to spot the section they’re looking for. Just swap the outdated resume objective for a resume summary and you’re good to go.

6. Career Reload’s Josh resume template

Here’s another option from Career Reload that uses white space to change up the visual look of your resume. This is a great choice if you’re earlier in your career or want to focus on just a few experiences—since the formatting makes for less text space overall. 

You’ll notice that the section headings in this template are in columns, but this is an example of ATS-friendly columns—since reading the text from left to right still makes sense.

7. ResuStudio’s Google Docs resume template

If you want to up your game (and are willing to pay a bit extra to do so), this template looks that extra level of sleek and professional without being too much for the hiring manager (or ATS) to parse through. 

If you’re a bit further into your career, this template also has a two-page version. But make sure to remove the “References available upon request” bit from whichever version you use—it’s just wasting valuable space. When employers want your references, they know they can request them.

Cost: $9.26 (with frequent changes)

8.  BestResumes’ Google Doc resume template

For a very reasonable price, this template gives you color, ATS-friendly design, and several ways to emphasize your most important qualifications. Plus with the purchase, you’ll also get a two-page template, a cover letter template , and a reference sheet template to match your resume design.

Cost: $5.96 (with frequent changes)

9. Any ATS-friendly resume template you’d like

None of these templates doing it for you? That’s OK—you’ve got options. Etsy has many more paid resume templates made by designers and you can search for ATS-compatible ones.

You can also use almost any Microsoft Word or other resume template you find in Google Docs with a few easy steps:

• Download the template.
• Go to docs.google.com and click the folder icon to open the file picker.
• Choose “Upload” along the top of the box that appears and pick the file.
• Save the file as a Google Doc.

Or if you’re already in a blank Google doc, click “File”>”Open” and follow steps three and four above.

Some formatting won’t translate well between programs, so be sure to double check that the template still looks good in Google Docs.

Bonus tips for using your Google Docs resume template

Not to sound too obvious, but using these templates is about more than just plugging your skills and experience in and calling it a day. You’ll need to follow a few steps:

• Replace everything in the template with your own information , otherwise the hiring manager is going to wonder why it says “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet” under your education. This means giving your resume several looks over, and then having a friend or two check it for errors, too.
• Make the template your own , whatever that means for you. If you don’t like the color of the headings, change them. If you think your name is too big and it’s taking away space you could use for your bullet points, go ahead and decrease the font size. If you want to add your own section, whether for “ Certifications ” or “ Projects ” or some other category that’s relevant to the job description, feel free to convert an existing section you don’t need or otherwise tweak the template to fit it in. Templates are meant to be personalized, not followed to a T.
• Focus on the content . Pretty resumes are great, but if what they say isn’t tailored to the job, thoroughly proofread, or at least somewhat interesting to read, you’re not going to land that interview. So make sure you’re writing stellar resume bullets and following these important resume tips .

How does all that sound? Great, now get out there and make your resume shine! Teenage Alyse would be so proud.

Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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How to Create a Free Resume on Google Docs: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make A Free Resume on Google Docs – Step-by-Step Guide Open Google Docs > Sign in with your Google Account Select a Resume Template or Create your Template Edit and Customize the Resume Template > Format the Text & Style Save and Download Resume to Different File Format

Creating a professional resume has never been easier with Google Docs. If you’re looking to craft an impressive resume in Google Docs , you’re in the right place. Google Docs offers a variety of resume templates for free , making it simple to choose a resume format in Google Docs that best suits your needs. If you’re searching for a resume template for free or a resume template simple and elegant, Google Docs has you covered.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use a resume template in Google Docs , ensuring your resume stands out. From selecting a resume template for Google Docs free to customizing your resume format in Google Docs , we’ve got all the tips you need to create a polished and professional resume with the help of a resume template.

How to Make A Resume on Google Docs

Table of Content

• What is a Resume
• Resume Format in Google Docs
• How to Make a Resume in Google Docs

How to Download Your Google Doc Resume As a PDF

Top 5 resume templates for google docs, advantages to create a resume on google docs, what is a resume in google docs.

A resume is like a detailed summary of your job history. It’s a paper that shows the places you’ve worked, the schools you went to, any volunteering you did, and any prizes or good things you did. Your resume tells your future boss why you’re a good fit for the job they’re hiring for.

How To Use a Google Docs Resume Template

Google Docs offers accommodating layouts and apparatuses to help you grasp your abilities and experiences effectively. Whether you are a tenderfoot or experienced, with Google Docs, you’ll effectively alter and spare your resume online, guaranteeing that it’s continuously up-to-date and prepared for your work look. Follow the Steps to Make a Resume in Google Docs:

Step 1: Open Google Document

To start, get to Google Docs in your web browser after signing in to your Google account.

Open Google Document

Step 2: Click on the Template Gallery Button

Explore the bottom right corner of the screen and press the “Template Gallery” button.

Click on the Template Gallery Button

Step 3: Choose a Resume Template

Inside the layout format, select a resume layout that not only looks outwardly engaging but also guarantees readability.

Choose a Resume Template

Step 4: Insert data in a brief way in the template

Personalize the chosen layout by contributing your claim data. This includes basic, subtle elements like your contact data, a brief self-introduction, your instructive foundation, proficient encounters, and important skills.

Insert Data

Step 5: Maintain a Clean and Clear Resume

Insert complicated components such as tables, pictures, content boxes, headers, footers, or bizarre fonts.

Step 6: Do Customization and Download in PDF

Once you’ve customized your resume to your satisfaction, continue to download it as a PDF file. Simply click on File. At that point, select Download and select “PDF Document.”

Customize and Download

Step 7: Analyze the resume with data

Take a minute to completely analyze the downloaded PDF to guarantee that all the information appears precisely as you desire.

Step 8: Save and Share your Resume

Save your completed resume. You’ll be able to effectively share it electronically with potential managers or print it out for difficult duplicates.

How To Create a Resume in Google Docs Without a Template

In the steps below we will be creating a resume in Google docs without using a resume template.

Step 1: Log into Google Docs

Log into Google Docs

Step 2: Open a Blank Document

Open the Document

Step 3: Go to Page Setup and Set Margins

Go to Page margins, which are typically 1 inch. Visit Page Setup > Margins in File.

Go to Page Setup and Set Margin

Step 4: Format the document along with its layout.

Format Document

Step 5: Set a body text font size of 10–12 points.

Step 6: Prevent Single lines

Prevent Single Lines

Step 7: Include these Sections in your resume

• Contact Details: Your personal information.
• Summary or Objective: A brief statement about your goals.
• Education: Your academic background.
• Work Experience : Details of your previous jobs.
• Skills : Your relevant abilities.
• References: People who can vouch for you.

Include these sections

Step 8: To distinguish parts, use bold text and headers.

Use Bold text and Headers

Step 9: Enter the Following Content

• Enter your contact information such as contact number, address, etc
• Mention education background, certifications, etc
• Use bullet points to list elements inside a section: B. Job duties or competencies.

Step 1: Open your Google Docs

Open your Google Docs

Step 2: Go to the File option and Click on Download

Go to the File option and Click on Download

Step 3: Choose “PDF Document (.pdf).”

Choose “PDF Document (.pdf).”

The Google Docs Template Display offers a wide cluster of professionally planned resume templates that cater to different businesses and inclinations. Each resume template may be a standout choice for making a noteworthy resume that successfully exhibits your skills and experiences. With alternatives for clean and cutting-edge plans, these layouts not only upgrade meaningfulness but also leave an enduring visual effect.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just beginning your career, the Template Display guarantees that you can effortlessly discover and customize a resume template that suits your unique needs. It’s an important asset for creating a standout resume that can help you secure your desired work opportunity.

1. Coral Resume

The Coral Resume format from Google Docs Format Gallery is a great choice for those looking for a new and dynamic continuing plan. Its clean format, combined with alluring coral complements, adds a touch of uniqueness to your resume. It’s an excellent format for those who need to form an important first impression and stand out in competitive work markets.

Coral Resume

2. Spearmint Resume

The Spearmint Resume format stands out as an outwardly engaging alternative within the Google Docs Template Display. Its reviving minty colors and well-organized segments make it an amazing choice for those who need a present-day and a la mode resume. This format is best suited for people who want to showcase their skills and experiences in an eye-catching and easy-to-read format.

Spearmint Resume

3. Swiss Resume

The Swiss resume format may be a classic and ageless choice accessible within the Google Docs Template Gallery. Its smooth and proficient design, inspired by Swiss plan standards, is perfect for those looking for a moderately impactful resume. This template is the leading alternative for people who need to showcase their capabilities and make a solid impression in a clean and well-structured format.

Swiss Resume

Elegant fonts are used in serif resume templates to enhance their aesthetic appeal. appropriate if you want your CV to appear more upscale. This template is simple to understand and may be used for a number of activities.

5. Modern Writer

A modern writer’s resume template is one of the best templates to showcase your qualifications. This template will help your resume stand out and leave a strong impression.

Modern Writer

Google Docs offers a diverse range of resume templates, permitting clients to select from different styles and plans that best suit their inclinations and needs.

• Creating a resume on Google Docs is clear and user-friendly, making it available for people of all ability levels.
• As a cloud-based stage, Google Docs empowers users to get to and alter their resumes from any place with an online association, guaranteeing steady accessibility and convenience.
• Users can effectively share their resumes with collaborators or potential bosses, encouraging input and survey processes.
• Multiple clients can at the same time alter a resume on Google Docs, empowering real-time collaboration and updates.
• Google Docs consequently saves changes as you work, diminishing the chance of losing your progress.
• Users can share their resumes in different groups, counting PDF and Word, guaranteeing compatibility with diverse application processes.
• Google Docs keeps a point-by-point amendment history, permitting users to track and return to past versions of their resume.
• Google Docs may be a free stage, making it an available choice for people looking to form or upgrade their resumes without extra costs.
• How to Use Google Docs
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In conclusion, creating a standout resume in Google Docs is both simple and efficient. By utilizing the various resume templates for free available, you can quickly select a resume format in Google Docs that suits your professional needs. Whether you prefer a resume template simple or more detailed, Google Docs offers plenty of options. Remember, a well-crafted resume is your ticket to making a great first impression. With the right resume template Google Docs free , you can ensure your resume is professional, polished, and ready to help you land your dream job.

How to Make A Resume on Google Docs – FAQs

Is it okay to use a google docs template for a resume.

Absolutely! Using a Google Docs template for a resume is not only okay but also highly recommended. Google Docs provides a variety of professionally designed resume templates for free, allowing you to create a polished and impressive resume quickly.

How to create a resume?

Creating a resume is a straightforward process when you follow these steps: Choose a Format Select a Template Add Personal Information Write a Summary or Objective List Work Experience Include Education Highlight Skills

How do I edit a resume in Google Docs?

Editing a resume in Google Docs is simple and convenient Open Google Docs Select a Template Customize the Template Update Sections Save Changes

How do I upload a CV on Google Drive?

Uploading a CV on Google Drive is quick and easy: Open Google Drive: Click on “New” Select “File Upload” Locate Your CV Upload the CV

How to make a resume on Google Docs with no experience?

Follow the steps given below: Open Google Docs Choose a Template Edit the Template Save the Template Download

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Resume Templates for Google Docs

Free resume templates for Google Docs that you can start editing right away. These exclusive templates make creating an optimized resume easy. Every template on this page was tested with our resume scanner to ensure that you won’t run into any issues when your resume is submitted to an applicant tracking system.

Using a Google Docs resume template is an easy way to create a modern-looking resume for your job search. Some job applications will even allow you to share a Google Docs file instead of uploading a Word document. If you don’t have Microsoft Word or just want a simple way to get started with building and writing a resume , these free resume templates for Google Docs are the perfect place to start.

It’s true that Google Docs actually has built-in resume templates. We’ll show you how to access those templates. The templates you’ll see on this page have been custom designed by the Jobscan team. That means your resume won’t look like anyone else’s. And you can be sure that these templates are ATS-friendly .

Every template on this page was tested with our resume scanner to ensure that you won’t run into any issues when your resume is submitted to an applicant tracking system.

Free ATS-Friendly Google Docs Resume Templates

Here are 15 free resume templates for Google Docs. These templates were designed by our team and are ATS-friendly. When you click on the link, the template will open in Google Docs. Click on File > Make a copy and the template will be copied to your Google Drive so that you can edit it.

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Modern Recent Grad Resume Template

How to Use Google Docs Resume Templates

The resume templates on this page are free and easy to use. To edit the templates, follow these steps:

• Click on the Download button below the template
• When the template opens in Google Drive, click on File > Make a copy

You must make a copy of the template in order to edit it.

That’s it! The template is now in your Drive and you can create as many copies as you need and edit it with your resume text.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using a resume template in Google Docs.

Tip #1: Customize the template … but not too much

The resume template is completely editable, but be careful when changing fonts, formatting, and section headings. We designed each template to be readable and ATS-friendly. What does that mean?

You can learn more about applicant tracking systems (ATS) in our ATS Guide , but the most important thing to know is that when you submit your resume, your documents are organized by an online system called an ATS. The recruiter for that job uses the ATS software to search for candidates by skills or experience. In order for the system to know if your resume has the words or skills that the recruiter searches for, it needs to be able to read the text of your resume.

The problem is that it’s a robot, so it doesn’t understand things like tables, images, and non-traditional fonts.

Beyond making your resume ATS-friendly, you also need to make it user-friendly. Those same non-traditional fonts and graphics or images can be just as distracting or difficult to read for a human as they are for an ATS.

So feel free to change some of the template colors and by all means, customize the text as much as you need in order to highlight your experience. But remember that these templates are expertly designed and tested.

If you’re not a designer, don’t worry, these are the best Google Docs resume templates and they’re ready to go.

Do’s and Don’ts for creating an ATS-friendly resume in Google Docs

• Use language that is simple and easy to understand. Jargon or difficult language will only confuse the ATS.
• Use a traditional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for optimal readability.
• Use a font size that is easy to read. The recommended size is 11-12 pt for regular text, and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Match your resume keywords to skills found in the job description.
• Use standard resume section headings.
• Use tables and columns to organize your resume. This can cause important information to get lost when an ATS parses your resume text.
• Use unnecessary graphics or embellishments that might be difficult for an ATS to understand.
• Use special characters or symbols that an ATS might misinterpret.
• Use tables, columns, or graphics.
• Only use acronym versions of keywords.

Tip #2: Tailor your resume for the job description

You’ve probably experienced this before: You type in the job title you want to apply for a see hundreds or thousands of job listings, but all of them have different duties and requirements.

Even if you’re applying for jobs with the same title, the needs of each company will vary. That’s why it’s so important to tailor your resume to the job description .

Read the job description to find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications that company is looking for. Then, tailor the text of your resume to highlight aspects of your career and skillset that will appeal to that specific hiring manager. It takes time, but you’re likely to get better results.

Jobscan makes these easier with our free resume scanner. It compares your resume to a real job description you select and will automatically show you the skills you need to include on your resume. Our AI will even give you a match rate so you know when your resume is perfectly tailored.

Score your resume and start optimizing it to get more interviews

How to use a google docs file when applying for a job.

Some job applications will let you share your resume directly from Google Docs, so there’s no need to download a Microsoft Word version. Here’s an example:

The application has a field for adding my resume.

When I click on Select to select my resume file, a list of options appears.

I can click on Google Drive to select a file from my Drive account. Select the same Google account you used to download and edit the templates on this page. You can then search for the file using the search bar or click on the file directly in the window.

Note: Not every application will look or function this way. But if there is an option to use a resume file from your Google Drive, then you will see a similar window.

Does Google Docs have free resume templates?

There are five resume templates built-in to Google Docs. You can access them by following these steps:

• From your Drive home, click on New
• Click on File > New > From template gallery

• In the templates library, scroll down to the Resumes section

• Click on a template to select it
• Edit the text on the page to create your resume

There are some good options in Google’s template library, but you’re still limited to just five. If any other job seekers know about those templates, then there’s a high chance that your resume will look just like someone else’s. When job seeking, standing out is important.

We also tested these resume templates and many of them use tables, a feature that ATS parsers have historically struggled with.

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Google Docs Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Google Docs Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)

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Google Docs comes with five resume templates. To view them, start at the Docs home screen , click “Template gallery,” and scroll down to the “Resumes” category.

All five templates (Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer) are designed to be customized. Note that the Swiss and Serif templates have a two-column structure when selecting a template. This structure is not ideal if you have a lot of information and your resume is prone to be longer than one page since it can create large blank areas on the second or third pages. Beyond that, select the template that best suits you.

The section-specific tips and examples below show you how to create and format a strong resume in Google Docs.

1. Add a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

Google Docs resume templates do not include a profile summary section. Most job seekers should start their resume with a brief profile paragraph describing their top three to five qualifications. This section lets you catch the hiring manager’s interest when they start reading your resume.

Fortunately, creating a profile in any Google Docs resume template is easy. Just copy the skills section and paste it right above it. Then change the section header to “Profile” and trade out the placeholder text for your profile text, as shown below:

2. Create a detailed professional experience section

Each Google Docs resume template has a simple, straightforward experience section where you can enter your relevant work history. Keep these two factors in mind:

• On the Swiss and Serif templates, the placeholder job descriptions are formatted as paragraphs. And on the Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer templates, they’re formatted as bullet points. See our article on bulleting best practices for help determining which format style is best for you.
• With Google Docs resume template formatting, job titles stand out less than company names (and locations on the Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer templates). Consider reversing this arrangement if your job titles are more relevant than your employers, as shown below:

3. Include your education

The Google Docs resume templates’ education section is straightforward, but note:

• Like the experience section format, degree names stand out less than school names. Again, reverse this arrangement if the degree you earned is more relevant or impressive than the school you attended.
• The templates prompt you to give the month and year you started and finished each degree. But in most cases, only provide the year you graduated or omit education dates altogether. For more on this topic, see our education tips article.
• On the Modern Writer template, the school location appears twice. Delete the second instance to avoid redundancy.

4. List key skills and proficiencies

The resume skills section lets you name how you can contribute to your target job. It also helps your resume perform well on applicant tracking systems .

On Google’s Serif template, the skills section is formatted to let you present your skills as a vertical list down the right column.

On the other four Google Docs resume templates, this section lets you trade placeholder text with a paragraph list of skills, which you can divide using semicolons or the pipe symbol.

5. Consider additional resume sections

All five resume templates on Google Docs have an awards section , and the Serif template also has sections for projects and languages. You can delete these sections if they don’t apply to you (or if you’ve already listed awards in your experience section). Also, consider renaming this section to cover other important areas of your background, like volunteer work or certifications .

How do you align your Google Docs resume with a job posting? -

You can get more job interviews if you tailor your resume for each application.

The strategy for tailoring a Google Docs resume template is similar to other templates. Start by looking closely at the job post text and highlighting words that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases to the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and skills sections. Then, look for ways to align your resume text with the job post while not copying phrases or misstating your background.

For example, if the company seeks someone collaborative, you should mention that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the company has many non-English speaking customers. You can highlight your foreign language skills in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. 

Also, consider adding brief descriptions of the companies where you’ve worked in [brackets] right next to or below the company name. Company descriptions let you show any similarities between your past employers and the one who posted the job. For example, maybe you’ve worked for companies of a similar size or industry. Or perhaps you’ve worked at organizations with a similar mission or leadership philosophy. Adding these details to your job descriptions can make your resume more relevant to the job opening.

What is the best Google Docs resume format? -

Resume formats fall into three categories: functional, chronological, and combination. Most job seekers should use the combination format. True to its name, this format combines the chronological format’s experience section with the functional format’s profile section. (As mentioned above, Google Docs resumes don’t have a profile section, but you can quickly add one by copying and renaming the skills section.)

A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section enables you to showcase your career highlights at the top, regardless of whether they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths so they can decide to call you for an interview.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Write and submit a strong cover letter to increase your chances of an interview. The Google Docs template gallery has five letter templates, three of which (Swiss, Spearmint, and Modern Writer) correspond with its resume templates.

The key to a good cover letter is tailoring it to each job opening. Read our cover letter guide to learn how. For more advice on writing a cover letter, read our guides on effective salutations and electronic signatures.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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20+ Google Docs Resume Templates for 2024 [Download Now]

Writing your first resume can be scary and intimidating.

Sometimes you need a touch of something familiar , effortless, and trustworthy like Google.

Through Google Docs, they also give an easy solution to your resume writing problem by introducing resume templates , which come in handy if you have no clue where to start.

These things are extremely easy to use since some of them are inbuilt in Google, you can fill them out online , and most of them are free .

And the best part? Unlike Word resume templates , the whole thing doesn’t get messed up the moment you make a single change to it.

In this guide, we’ll lay out the details for you and show you:

How to Make a Resume on Google Docs

10+ free google docs resume templates, 10+ premium google docs resume templates.

• Possible Issues with Google Doc Resumes (& What Else to Consider)

First and foremost, you would want to be at the correct place.

How do you use Google Docs ?

You first need a Google account to access these templates or to create a new Google Doc. 

It could be the same account you use for your Gmail.

If you don’t have one, sign up by creating a new account ! 

Now that we’re both on the same page, let’s rock and roll!

We’ll get to the best templates in the next section, but for now, I’m going to pick one from Google Doc’s template gallery to demonstrate how it’s done.

I’ll pick “Serif” for the sake of the example. 

Here’s how that template looks like in its “Lorem ipsum” form:

Notice also how all the changes you make are saved online, in real-time in your Google Drive, where you can find the file to re-edit at a later time.

You can go ahead and rename your file by clicking on the name of the template at the top left:

You can see that they’ve listed the major components of a resume : Contact Information , Experience , Education , and Skills . 

Projects, Awards, and Languages are, of course, optional, depending on where you’re at so far.

Here’s how you insert your information in a Google Doc resume template:

You delete the sample text and replace it with your own text.

For example:

If there is a section that does not apply to you or there are more entries than you actually need, you can just delete them.

The Google Docs resume template works like a table, so anytime you delete one or more of the entries...nothing else moves!

Let’s say Frank only has one work experience and one education entry to fill out. He also has 3-4 skills under his belt and can speak two languages.

Frank inputs all of that in the Google Doc resume and now it looks something like this:

Yay! Isn’t she a beaut?

After you’ve done completing all the information you think is appropriate, you have to download your resume, which is now ready for submission.

Find the Download button under File → Download:

Before rushing your way towards submitting as instant gratification for a job well done, check out if your employer has a preferred format for your resume.

If not, we always suggest downloading your Google Docs resume as a PDF document to avoid system conversion issues or unneeded clutter due to incompatibilities.

Check your Downloads or designated folder, and there you have it!

Not entirely sure what to put on your resume ? You can check out our complete guide on how to write a resume . 

In this section, we lay out some of the best Google Docs resume templates which you don’t have to pay a single cent for.

Whoever said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” has obviously never read this article.

Swiss Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone with a lot of experience, Senior positions, Bank

Creator: Google Docs

Where to find it: Templates Gallery

Price: Free

Swiss is one of our favorite Google Doc templates because of its simplicity . It’s best suited if you have some experience under your belt and are not fresh from school. Swiss is the best choice for you if your experience has been fairly regular since such an amount of space is devoted to the main categories of Skills, Experience, and Education. Swiss keeps it simple but still adds personality with a pop of orange in its resume design . It says: I am professional, but not boring.

Serif Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Computer Scientist , Data analyzer , Senior positions, Banking

You might remember this template from our tutorial in the previous section. Using the colors black and blue to show utmost professionalism , this template makes a neat first impression. If you have projects, presentations, and awards you are proud of, this is the template for you! It also saves a sweet spot for Languages and uses two columns to spread out the information. This would be ideal for you if you’re a computer science or senior business person that is seasoned in their field.

Traditional Elegance Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Recent graduates

Creator: Hloom

Where to find it: Hloom’s website

Are you a recent graduate without a lot of work experience under your belt? This might be the perfect Google Doc resume template for you. It’s extremely simple and emphasizes education more than experience, so feel free to highlight all your college classes and extra-curricular. It also allows for freedom in the Profile section, where you can write a resume objective or give a lengthier pitch to get the job to make up for the lack of experience .

Coral Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Fashion blogger, influencer, culinary arts, creative industry

This one-column resume is perfect if you’re in the fashion , influencer, culinary , or arts, and creative industry. The coral color and cursive fonts give it a very feminine touch, and the template oozes with personality . Coral certainly does not fit a business, serious, professional type. Although the template is fairly simple, the change in fonts and a bit of color makes it playful . It’s a great match if you have a lot of experience and skills but not a big educational background.

Spearmint Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Industrial engineer, energy and sustainability professional

Spearmint might resemble Coral because of its one-column layout and the same type of content entries. However, the feel and atmosphere it creates in its simplicity and the use of the green color tells a whole other story. This is the perfect template if you’re an industrialist or someone in the sustainability or green business. The template itself is not too creative but it does highlight skills first, which might also be great if you are ready to switch careers .

Modern Writer Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: copywriter, editor, script-writer, librarian

This absolutely unique template goes by the name of Modern Writer for a reason: it’s made for the modern writer. This is the perfect template if the main focus of your resume is writing skills or if you are applying for a job that is related to writing and books: copywriter, content writer, editor, librarian, screenwriter, etc. Its unique style and the juxtaposition with the pink letter coloring makes it one of my favorites. If you’re applying for a business job though, I would steer clear of this quirky template.

Blue Side Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Management and marketing professionals

This template is a play on the blue and black , but its accent color gives it a more polished look. What’s interesting and different about it is the way the years are listed, which resembles a CV but has the length and purpose of a resume. This is a great two-toned template for professionals with a lot of work experience under their belt going for that extra carrier push. This template takes you to the finish line.

All the Information Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: a professional switching careers

This is the perfect resume template if you are planning to switch careers after a long time of following a certain professional path. In this case, you want a resume that highlights your greatest skills and emphasizes your career objective in a professional and lengthy manner. If you have more quality than quantity in your work experience and education and want extra room to properly describe how much value you added to each organization you were part of, All the information helps you list...well... all the information!

Goldfish Bowl Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: the overachiever with plenty of awards

Goldfish Bowl is a template for the loyal overachiever . Education comes last in this template because it is overshadowed by the work history, awards & certificates , and skills. Just like All the Information , it fits best if your contribution to your jobs can’t be summed up in bullet points, but you still have to stick to the one-page golden rule of resumes . Golden Fish says a lot in a very concise way.

Border Design Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: High school and college graduates

Creator: Techie’s Guide

Where to find it: In this direct link to the Google Doc

Are you a high school or college graduate with plenty of volunteer experience but not that much of real industry experience? This is the template for you. It’s fun, it’s got personality , and has various links to social media sites so that the employer can find you more easily. The border also adds an extra layer of originality without making it tacky.

Although there’s plenty of free resumes to go around, there’s nothing like the touch of something premium to make you stand out from the crowd.

Get out your credit cards, we’re counting all our favorite premium Google Docs resume templates. There’s something for everyone on this list!

Alice Wilson Creative Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior professional in creative industries

Creator: NewLondonStudio

Where to find it: Etsy

Price: $7.97(including a cover letter and a reference page template)

There’s nothing like a well-organized , visually appealing template to showcase all your experience. Alice Wilson is extremely tasteful and professional. It provides a lot of room for long descriptions and focuses primarily on your experience. So if you are a senior professional with a long track record in the creative industry and are looking for something with professional but with a subtle personality, this is the template for you!

Mariah Carey Manager Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior professional in Marketing , Advertising, Human Resources

Price: $9.29 (including a cover letter and a reference page template)

Are you a marketing director, HR manager, or have substantial expertise in advertising? Basically, if you consider yourself the Mariah Carey of your profession (regardless of gender), this is the resume for you. Mariah Carey has a similar layout to Alice Wilson , but is more conservative and professional . Icons are eliminated and the resume has been stripped down to its most delightful, minimalistic form.

Melinda Gates Student Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Students and recent graduates 

Creator: DesignStudioTeti

Price: $7.14 (including a cover letter template)

You can’t find a Google Doc template that lists the appropriate amount of information for you? Well, we might have found the perfect resume template for students and/or recent graduates. It’s a wonderful fit because it lists education first , and also offers room for sections such as research projects and different scholarships or volunteer experience. The colors are also accented and pleasing to the eye, and the calligraphy-based name adds a personal touch.

Noah Webster Teacher Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Teachers  

Price: $8.57 (including a cover letter template)

One of the most valuable members of society are teachers, but the work they do always seems to be undermined or underpaid. Not on this list! If you’re a teacher looking for a professional , yet stylish , easily-editable Google Docs resume template, replace your name with Noah Webster’s and start entering your achievements in the template. This resume has a special section for teaching certifications and career highlights. The cherry on top is the minimalistic font, subtle color, and focus on your professional teaching experience.

Jennifer Aniston Intern Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Creative Interns

This resume most probably has the most unique resume header I’ve ever seen. I’m sure your first reaction was like: “Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this!”, then you get the point. The hiring manager of your internship has never seen anyone like you either. This Google Doc resume template is unique and caters specifically to interns who want to stand out and be creative .

John Stockholm Photographer Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Photographers, Bloggers, Visual Artists

Creator: ModernTasteDesigns

Price: $8.75

Looking for something swimming in modern, enticing visuals ? If you’re a creative guy/gal and do work in photography, blogging, or any type of visual medium that requires a portfolio , this is a great template to set you apart from the competition. The resume header is customizable , and you can add your own artwork. Pick something nice that makes a statement and shows the hiring manager a glimpse into your creative world. 

Proxima Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior Executives

Creator: UpResume

Where to find it: UpResume’s site

Price: $14.95 (including cover letter)

Proxima is not a resume template to be taken lightly. It’s classy, sophisticated , elegant, and spans up to two pages if you have enough entries to contribute with. It’s perfect if you are a senior executive, a chief officer , or have had a long, respectable career. It has its own separate section on references and comes with two columns. The emphasis is put on your profile , skills, and work experience. The aesthetic is sleek and it also comes with a customizable cover letter of the same design theme.

Jane Hancock Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Young professionals in any industry.

Creator: MioDocs

Where to find it: MioDocs' Site

Price: $8.00 (including cover letter & reference page)

If you have not found yourself in any of the categories described so far, then jackpot: this might be the resume for you. The touch of green color makes it more interesting and visually appealing to the eye and thus improves your chances of getting noticed. The design does not dwell on quirky or too creative, however: it’s the right blend of professionalism office jobs are looking for and young creative energy . If you’re a young professional with one or two jobs under your belt and are on the hunt for the next step, this might just be the template for you.

Night Mode Web Design Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Web designers, app developers

Creator: ModernTasteDesign

Price: $8.75 

How awesome is this template? It feels like you’re reading on night mode on Kindle. Classy, elegant , modern, and high tech : this resume template is a bold, non-conventional choice that works best for web designers and app developers . The use of dark background and white text will make your application immediately pop up amidst others and makes it easy on the eye. This template is really minimalistic and focuses on experience and skills mostly. If those are your best assets to get the job, then Night Mode is a great fit!

Florence Nightingale Nurse Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Nurses , paramedics, doctors

Price: $8.57 (including cover letter and reference templates)

This crisply clean resume reminds us of the clear hospital beds: which makes it perfect not only for nurses but for all medical professions. The simple black and white is minimalistic and professional and showcases your best abilities and experiences. The education section has been replaced by Licenses & Certifications . This resume also comes with an Expertise section , so it’s simple to edit in your own information without trying to change the structure of the Google Doc resume template and creating a whole mess!

Google Docs Resume Templates Simply Not Cutting it? Try a Free Resume Builder

Even though Google Docs resume templates look awesome and are easy to work with, they don’t offer much flexibility in layout. You make a small change to a section, and the whole thing gets messed up!

If you’re looking for a better resume experience, you mustn’t look very far.

A resume builder, unlike Google Docs resume templates, allows you to rearrange and optimize the layout of your resume and gives you real-time feedback on how to improve its content.

Novorésumé comes with all sorts of designs , from professional to creative, and guarantees you to stand out among all the resumes in the application file.

And to put the icing on the cake? You get twice the value from a free Novoresume template than from a paid Google Docs resume template.

But don’t take out word for it!

Give Novorésumé templates a try and see what all the hype is about!

Key Takeaways

So let’s sum up everything we have learned so far:

• Writing a resume using Google Docs is extremely easy and is a great first step when you don’t know where to start. The resume gets saved online automatically as you edit, and then you just have to download it and upload it or print it.
• There are hundreds of ready Google Docs templates you can use. We listed the ten best free and ten best premium Google Docs resume templates you can choose from.
• Google Docs resume templates are a great first step but are highly inconvenient and sometimes generic. Using a resume builder like Novorésumé makes your resume-writing experience easier and the resume end product much more unique and professional .

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Suggested readings:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Formats in 2024
• CV vs. Resume - What are the Differences & Definitions?
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume

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Free Resume Google Docs Templates

Use free editable resume templates in Google Docs. A person usually has to go through the stages of education and getting a job in order to successfully build a career. And a high-quality resume is essential at every stage for successful admission to high school, university or college. Further in search of the first job or dream job. A professionally designed resume can help you. Get one of our templates, fill it out and and then print it out to effectively present yourself. You can also download the ready-made design and edit it in Microsoft Word or macOS Pages.

Discover the perfect balance of tradition and innovation with our Classic Resume Free Google Docs Template – where classic design meets modern convenience. Download now!

Smartly grouped resume design in a minimalist style with a timeline of work experience.

Craft a winning resume with our Easy Resume Free Google Docs Template. Designed for simplicity and effectiveness, this template ensures your qualifications shine.

Land your first job with our free Google Docs entry-level resume template. Stand out from other candidates with a polished and professional resume. Download now!

Unlock your potential with the Simple Resume template on Google Docs. Crafted for simplicity and elegance, it’s your tool for making a lasting impression.

Step into the spotlight with our innovative Google Docs template for business resumes. Seamlessly blend style and substance to create a resume that not only catches the eye but also leaves a lasting impression.

Our Simple Resume Template allows you to tailor your resume to fit the requirements of any job application. Stand out from the crowd with a customized resume that highlights your strengths.

A versatile resume template with a minimal design. Perfect for hiring for any profession.

Creating a polished resume has never been simpler. Our Google Docs resume template offers a clean layout and customizable features to help you shine in any industry. Download now!

Having the appropriate tool to distinguish yourself from other candidates and capture the employer’s attention is crucial. This resume template is quite flexible, and each student can easily customize it to meet their needs.

A resume template that includes the essentials for a successful job search

Create a winning resume that beats the applicant tracking systems with our ATS-Friendly Resume Free Google Docs Template. Its optimized design will increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters.

How to get and customize a free resume Google Docs templates?

Customizing a resume template on Google Docs is a breeze. Once you find a suitable Google doc template on gdoc.io , click on it and select “Use this template”. Then click “Start editing now in Google Docs” to open it in the Google Docs editor. Once you’re in the Google Docs editor, you have the flexibility to modify the text, reorganize sections, and input your own details. Ensure that you customize the template to highlight your individual experiences and qualifications. It’s important to emphasize your skills and achievements to make your resume noticeable among others. Utilizing the user-friendly editing tools provided by Google Docs, you can craft a customized and polished resume that will leave a positive impression on potential employers. Additionally, please note that our resume templates often include a cover letter and references for your convenience, providing a comprehensive package for your job application. In addition, we offer free templates for Google Docs , Google Sheets and Google Slides.

Can I find a simple and professional high school CV template here?

Absolutely! Our site offers a variety of Google Docs resume templates suitable for high school students. Just open our website. In the search bar, enter keywords such as “high school”, “college”, or “student” to narrow down your options. You’ll find a range of basic and professional templates designed specifically for high schoolers, allowing you to showcase your education, extracurricular activities, and any part-time or volunteer work experience you may have.

Are ATS resume Google Docs templates available on gdoc?

Yes, ATS resume templates are available here. When choosing a template, look for clear, well-structured designs that are optimized for analysis by candidate tracking systems. These templates will give you the sections you need to highlight your experience, skills, training, and any notable performances. By using an ATS-friendly template, you increase the chances that your resume will be successfully scanned and reviewed by casting directors or recruitment agencies.

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How to make a resume in Microsoft Word

Whether you’re just entering the workforce or need a resume refresh, you’re probably considering Microsoft Word for the task. We’ll walk you through options for making a resume in Word, from using helpful templates to creating a resume from scratch.

Use a built-in Word resume template

Use a word resume template on the web, use a third-party word resume template, create a word resume from scratch.

The quickest and easiest way to make a resume in Word is using one of Microsoft’s templates . You can look for one directly in Word and choose from a large collection of options.

Open Word, select File > New , and pop “resume” into the Search box. You can then browse the templates with resumes for specific jobs and industries along with those for any type of position.

Choose a template to see a description and pick Create to use the resume.

The Microsoft resume templates come with placeholders that you can simply swap out for your own details. This is handy if you like the appearance of all elements in the template. Of course, if you’re not fond of the color scheme or font styles, you can change those types of items.

Remember to go to File > Save As to save a copy of your resume.

Maybe you don’t have Microsoft Word on your computer yet but need your resume in that format. You can use Word on the web for free with a Microsoft account and take advantage of resume templates.

Visit the Microsoft Create website and explore the resume templates . If you see one you like, select it to open it directly in Word for the web.

Alternatively, select Create from scratch and choose Resumes, flyers, brochures . When Word opens, use the Designer sidebar on the right to browse through and choose a resume template.

Then, swap out the placeholders for your own details and customize the resume as you like.

If you like the template idea but don’t care for any of the Microsoft options, you can check out third-party templates for your resume. Here are just a few of the top options and samples of resume templates they offer for free.

Resume Genius

With Resume Genius , you can pick from over a dozen custom Word templates to download. From simple to professional to aesthetically pleasing to visually appealing, you’re sure to find at least one resume template you like.

Hloom offers over 15 resume and CV templates for free and even more if you don’t mind paying. Be sure to select Free on the left below License if you want to narrow down the no-charge options. As a bonus, you’ll also see a tab for cover letters if you’re in the market for one of those too.

Template.net

One more place to check out for Word resume templates is Template.net . You’ll find a large variety of attractive options specific to position or resume style. Like with Hloom, select Free beneath License on the left, and be sure to take a look at the cover letter collection too.

After you download a resume template from one of the above sites, simply customize it with your own details.

Maybe you’d prefer to simply create your resume from scratch; this is always an option if you have the time. Consider reviewing the above templates and samples for the information you should include and ideas for formatting.

To get started, add the following details to your resume:

Full name and current position : Place your name and position at the top. If you don’t have a current position, you can certainly omit it.

Objective (optional) : Provide a brief description of your goal to potential employers beneath your name and position. This is an optional inclusion — if you add one, try to keep it short and sweet with one to two meaningful sentences.

Contact details : Include at least your email address and phone number. If you have an up-to-date website or LinkedIn profile, you can add these as well. Make sure these details are kept together in a specific location so they’re simple to find.

Work experience : List your work experience in chronological order with the most recent first. Start with your position, then move onto the employer, month, and year you worked there, and your duties. You should include your duties and responsibilities in a list format making them easy to review.

Education : List your educational history in chronological order with the most recent first. Start with the degree, then add the school with the month and year you attended.

Skills, awards, and more : Use a list format to add your skills, awards, certifications, volunteer work, and any other details you feel important to the position or company.

Here are several tips when formatting your resume in Word:

• Use a heading or larger font for your full name at the top.
• Add headings for the Experience, Educations, and Skills sections.
• If you decide to use color, keep it to just one or two complementary colors.
• Try to use the same font style throughout, taking advantage of font sizes, headings, or bold formatting for more prominent details.
• Use a font that’s easy to read like a 12-point Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman for the main body text. You might also consider which font style works better for reading on the web versus on a printed piece.
• If you include a headshot, make sure it’s a professional one.
• Consider using a table to structure your resume, as shown above.

Finally, be sure to keep the appearance and content of your resume consistent.

Is it OK to make a resume in Word?

Absolutely! This is exactly the type of document you should create in a word processing application like Microsoft Word. If you prefer, you can also use a web application like Google Docs to make a resume or downloadable software like LibreOffice Writer.

Once your resume is complete, you can save it as a PDF or other requested format in most word processing applications for submission to the potential employer or hiring manager.

How far back should a resume go?

Most experts recommend 10 to 15 years is appropriate for a resume. Keep in mind that you should include relevant work experience for that time period . For example, if you’re a nurse who worked at a fast-food chain for two months 12 years ago, you can likely exclude that job.

How many pages should a resume be?

The standard for a resume is one to two pages. However, this can depend on the length of your experience and education in relation to the position for which you’re applying. For instance, someone who’s been in the workforce for 20 years might require two pages, but a recent college graduate would probably only need one page.

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A Google Cloud architect shares the résumé that helped her land the job — and how she prepared for its tough interviews

• Vishakha Sadhwani landed a job at Google as a cloud architect with three years of experience.
• Her first internship in cloud migrations sparked her interest in the field.
• Sadhwani shares how she prepared for Google's notoriously challenging interviews and her top tips.

Vishakha Sadhwani was set on becoming a hardware engineer after earning a bachelor's degree in electronics and telecommunications.

Designing chips seemed like a pretty cool gig, so she enrolled in a master's in computer engineering, focusing on hardware, at the University of Maryland.

But after hearing stories about the challenging job market , she decided to have a backup plan — pursuing a graduate degree in software engineering alongside her master's, hoping to get a broader understanding of the tech world.

Sadhwani landed her first internship as a software engineer working on cloud migrations, which she said sparked her interest in the field.

"Trust me when I say this: internships can be life-changing as they give you a taste of the real world and can open doors you never imagined, so go out there and get that experience," she said.

That experience with a cloud migration project Sadhwani worked on during her first internship helped her land her first job as a DevOps engineer at Brightspot. After gaining experience in the field for a year and a half, she landed a cloud engineer role at Amazon Web Services (AWS), which she described as a "pivotal moment" in her career.

After two years at AWS, a Google Cloud recruiter contacted Sadhwani, who then embarked on its comprehensive interview process.

Preparing for interviews

Sadhwani was worried that she would be underprepared, so spent considerable time revisiting fundamental cloud concepts and building up her hands-on experience.

She practiced explaining complex technical topics in simple terms as if she were speaking to a non-technical customer. "I even rehearsed my introduction in front of the mirror multiple times to ensure a confident start."

For the technical whiteboard interview round, which assesses a candidate's technical skills, Sadhwani dove deep into the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) material, even though it wasn't a formal requirement.

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"This was mainly due to my fear of encountering challenging questions about Kubernetes during the interview," she said.

What she would change on her CV

Sadhwani said if she could go back and rewrite her CV before applying for the job at Google, she'd make it laser-focused on the specific role.

"Think of it like a movie trailer — you want to highlight the most exciting parts that make you a perfect fit," she said. She'd also add a short summary showcasing her key skills, such as cloud and DevOps enthusiasm.

She'd also use the "STAR" method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight her achievements and craft a narrative around how she's tackled challenges and made an impact in her previous roles.

"It's like adding a little bit of storytelling magic to your résumé to make it truly stand out."

DevOps skills

Sadhwani said anyone interested in DevOps should focus on building a strong foundation to boost their employability.

They can do this through master infrastructure management, continuous integration or continuous deployment (CI/CD), and containerization.

"These are the bread and butter of any DevOps engineer and from there, you can explore specializations like DevSecOps, Cloud technologies, Infrastructure as Code [IaC], or even the trendy realm of MLOps, where AI and DevOps intersect," she said.

Sadhwani also suggests honing essential skills such as configuration management, automation, version control, and release management to make you stand out in interviews.

Top 3 Google tips

• Don't be intimidated about applying

"For beginners, internships and co-ops are invaluable and count for a lot," she said. "For career changers, analyze your current skills and how they align with Google's diverse areas of focus."

• Define your goals and personal brand

The Big Tech job market is competitive, and building a personal brand is important. Sadhwani did this by engaging in public speaking engagements and publishing articles on DevOps.

"It's about showcasing your unique value proposition, establishing yourself as an expert in your field, and creating a lasting impression on potential employers."

• Explore Google's diverse teams and products

Understand how your skills fit into the broader picture. For Sadhwani, exploring Google Cloud led her to find the perfect role. Do you have a career journey to share? Contact this reporter at [email protected]

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