What the resume builder does
This free resume builder fills in a US Letter page next to the form as you type. Choose Classic, Modern or Compact, then download a PDF or a Word file.
Both downloads are free with a free account, and there's no watermark on the file. Building and previewing needs no account at all; when you press Download, you sign up or log in in a few seconds and the file starts by itself. Ads on the page pay for the site, so you won't hit a paywall when you click download.
Not sure where to start? Press "Student example" or "Professional example" to load a finished resume, then type over it.
The PDF is made of real text, not an image of it. Hiring software can pull out every word, and you can select and copy it yourself. The Word file is a regular .docx that opens in Word, LibreOffice or Google Docs.
What it never does
- It doesn't send your resume to our servers by itself. What you type is saved in your browser on this device, so it's there when you return. The one exception is the Save to my account button, and only you can press it.
- It doesn't write the resume for you or make up a job, a number or a skill. Every line in the file is one you typed.
- It doesn't add photos, icons, skill bars or graphics. Tracking software can't read them as text, and they take space from your bullets.
Filling in each section
Contact. Give a professional email address, one phone number, your city and state, and a LinkedIn or portfolio link. You don't need a street address. Under your name, add the job title you're after, so a recruiter can see at a glance what you want.
Summary. Two or three sentences: your field, your best result with a number, and the job you want. If you have nothing specific to say, leave it out. Our resume summary examples show how it's done.
Experience. List your jobs from newest to oldest. Under each one, put one bullet per line and start each bullet with a verb. Add a number wherever you have one, like a percent, a dollar amount or a team size. "Cut order errors 38%" says more than "Improved accuracy." Our guide on how to write resume bullet points has before and after examples.
Education. Your degree, school and graduation date. Students can add a GPA if it's 3.5 or higher, plus honors and related classes. After about five years of work, cut this section down to one line.
Skills. Put each group on its own line, such as Tools, Languages or Marketing. Use the exact skill names from the job posting, and only list skills you could talk about in an interview.
Projects and certifications. Both are optional. Add them when they support the job you want, like a portfolio project for a first job or a license the role requires.
The three templates
- Classic uses Times New Roman in the Word file and Times in the PDF, with your name centered at the top. It fits law, finance, education, government and other traditional employers.
- Modern uses Arial in the Word file and Helvetica in the PDF. It has a left-aligned header and a dark blue line under each section heading. It fits tech, marketing and creative jobs.
- Compact uses smaller type and tighter spacing. Switch to it when your resume spills onto a second page. The preview draws a red dashed line where page two begins.
The format that works in 2026
Nearly every Fortune 500 company uses hiring software to collect applications. Jobscan's 2026 report found an applicant tracking system in use at 487 of the 500. So software is often the first thing that reads your resume.
What works is still simple. Use one column, standard headings and dates on every job. Start each bullet with a verb, include a number, and use the skill names from the posting. All three templates are built this way, so your time can go into the bullets.
ATS rules the templates follow
An applicant tracking system has to parse your resume, which means pulling out the text to find your skills and experience. Each template keeps that step clean. It uses one column and standard headings like Summary, Experience, Education and Skills. There are no tables, text boxes or images, nothing important sits in the page header or footer, and the fonts are standard ones. Dates go on the same line as the job title, as plain text.
When you're done, press Check with ATS. It copies your resume into the ATS resume checker in one click, so you can score it against a real job posting. Our list of ATS resume format mistakes covers the common slip-ups.
Making a CV for the UK, Ireland or Australia
In the UK, Ireland and Australia, people usually say CV, but the same rules apply. Use clear headings, put your newest job first and leave out a photo unless the employer asks for one.
The builder makes US Letter pages. If an employer wants A4, open the Word file and pick A4 under Paper size in Page Setup. Then send that version. The text moves to fit on its own.
Open the Word file in Google Docs
Download the Word file and upload it to Google Drive. Double-click it in Drive and it opens in Google Docs, where you can edit it.
Applying with a cover letter as well? The cover letter generator writes one from the same job posting.
Your data stays on your device
The builder saves your work in your browser as you type, so closing the tab won't lose it. That copy lives on this device only. On a shared computer, press Clear when you're done and the saved copy is erased. Clearing your browser data erases it too, so keep the Word file as a backup.
If you sign in, you can also save resumes to your account and open them on any device. A free account holds 3, and Pro holds 50. Nothing goes to our servers until you press Save to my account.
FAQ
Do I need an account?
Not to build or preview. Downloading the PDF, Word or text file needs a free account, so sign up or log in when you press Download and the file starts by itself. The .json backup never needs one. Downloads stay free, with no watermark.
Is the PDF readable by an ATS?
Yes. It's real text in one column under standard headings, so tracking software can pull the words out. To check, open the PDF and try selecting the words. If you can highlight them, the text is real. For a score against a specific job, run it through the ATS resume checker.
Can I edit the Word file in Google Docs?
Yes. Upload the .docx file to Google Drive, then double-click it there. It opens in Google Docs, ready to edit.
Does it work as a CV maker for the UK or Australia?
Yes. A CV there follows the same layout rules, so fill in the builder the same way. The files are set to US Letter. If an employer wants A4, open the Word file and pick A4 under Paper size in Page Setup. The text moves to fit.
Where is my resume saved?
In your browser, on this device, unless you save it to your account. Nothing reaches our servers until you log in and press Save to my account. A saved resume stays in your account for you to edit later. The browser copy disappears if you clear your browser data, so keep your downloaded files as a backup.
How long should my resume be?
One page, until you have about 10 years of experience. After that, two pages is the limit for most people. If the preview shows a second page, switch to Compact or cut your oldest and weakest bullets.