A free resume template for experienced professionals
The short answer
Copy the plain template below into a blank document and replace every bracketed placeholder with your own record. Keep one column and standard headings. Tailor the summary and bullets to each job description.
How to use this template
- Copy the template into a blank Word or Google Docs file.
- Replace each placeholder with your own details.
- Delete any section that does not apply to you.
- Save a master copy, then tailor a copy for each job.
The template
[Full name]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [Profile link]
Summary
[Two or three sentences on your level, your field and the kind of results you deliver]
Areas of expertise
[Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]
Professional experience
[Job title], [Employer], [City], [Start year] to [End year]
[Scope line: team size, budget, region or areas you were responsible for]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
[Job title], [Employer], [City], [Start year] to [End year]
[Scope line: team size, budget, region or areas you were responsible for]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
• [Achievement: what you did and the result, in your own figures]
Earlier career
[Job title], [Employer]; [Job title], [Employer]
Education and certifications
[Degree], [Institution], [Year]
[Certification], [Issuing body], [Year]
Board and advisory roles (optional)
[Role], [Organization], [Start year] to [End year]
Section by section
Name and contact line
Put your name on the first line and your contact details on one line below it. Leave out your full street address and any photo.
Summary
Write two or three sentences on your level, your field and the results you are known for. Rewrite it for each job so it reflects what that role needs.
Areas of expertise
List six to ten skills in plain words that match the job description where they are true for you. Keep them on one or two lines separated by vertical bars.
Professional experience
Start each role with a scope line so the reader sees the size of what you ran. Follow it with three bullets that each pair an action with a result from your own record.
Earlier career
Older roles can sit on a single line with title and employer. This keeps the page focused on recent work while showing the path you took.
Education and certifications
List degrees and certifications with the institution and year. Put the most relevant ones first.
Board and advisory roles
Include this section only if you hold or have held such roles. Give the role, the organization and the years.
Formatting choices that keep it readable
- Use one column, with no tables or text boxes.
- Use standard headings such as Summary and Professional experience.
- Choose one common font at a readable size.
- Keep margins even and leave space between sections.
- Save and send the file in the format the employer asks for.
Frequently asked questions
Is this resume template free?
Yes, it is free to copy and use. There is nothing to download or sign up for. Copy it into your own document and make it yours.
Will this template work with applicant tracking systems?
It uses one column, standard headings and plain text, which are the choices that make a resume easier for applicant tracking systems to read. No template can guarantee how a particular system will treat a file. Check the file you send by copying its text into a plain document and reading it through.
How long should my resume be?
Two pages is common for experienced professionals. Put your strongest and most recent work on the first page. Cut older detail before you cut recent results.
Should I use a different template for an executive role?
The same structure works for an executive role. Give more weight to the scope line, the results across the whole organization, and any board or advisory roles. The executive resume guide covers this in more detail.
Can I use this template in Google Docs?
Yes. Paste it into a blank Google Docs file, replace the placeholders and download it as a Word file or PDF when you apply. Check the downloaded file before you send it.
For more detail, read the executive resume guide and the ATS-friendly resume guide.
Vantage Role is built for senior professionals and executives. It tailors your own resume to each job description you paste in and gives you a Word document to review before you send it.
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