A resume (or CV) is always a work in progress. You update it whenever you have a new accomplishment and tailor and tweak it for every position you apply to. While many people take the time to make these content-related modifications, ask yourself, when was the last time you reformatted your resume or CV to give it a fresh look?
If it has been a while, here is an overview of some tools and templates for (re)formatting:
Use an Online Resume Builder
One option to (re)format your resume or CV is to use an online resume builder, such as Customized Resumes, Resume.com, or Resume Coach. Most of these services are either free or low-cost, with add-on features that come at a premium. Generally, resume builders offer a number of basic templates, with some customisation (e.g., headings you can rename, specific fields that you can add or remove). Additional, often flashier-looking templates may be available for purchase.
Resume builders tend to work in similar ways: You can either create your resume directly on the website or upload an already existing resume. You begin by choosing a template. Next, you fill in your details and data, which are then automatically inserted into the template.
In addition to taking care of the formatting for you, some resume builders offer tips, e.g., “More than 80% of employers think that a phone number must always be present on a resume” (resume.com). Some of the advice may be valid, but use your common sense and double-check elsewhere.
One more tip: Always read the fine print of any free service you use. Some websites, like resume.com, only allow you to download in plain text format and ask you to pay up for the neatly formatted file. If you do opt for a paid service, check for reviews of the company (e.g., on TrustPilot). Complaints about lacking customer service and difficulties cancelling payments are common.
Use a Template from your Word Processor
Another, probably better option is the resume templates provided by your word processor of choice. In MS Word, under the dropdown menu for File, you can select “New from Template” and then type in “resume” in the search box. The request will load more than 100 resume templates for you: some have a simple, more traditional layout, others come in more flashy designs.
Similarly, creating a new file in Apple’s Pages (File > New), opens a list of templates with no further prompting needed. Select Resume from the list on the left and it will give you nine options:
While there are not as many templates as with MS Word and the designs are classic rather than creative, these options work just fine for most industries.
Build Your Resume from Scratch with MS Word
If you want to control every aspect of formatting your job application documents, you can create your resume from scratch using MS Word (or Apple’s Pages, if you prefer).
For most job applications nowadays, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will scan your resume before a human looks at it, so your resume needs to be ATS-friendly. At the same time, you need to format in a way that works well for a human reader, which can be tricky. What to keep in mind:
- Some ATS struggle to handle design elements like graphics and tables that can make your resume more visually appealing to human eyes.
- Because PDF files can create problems, check the job ad to see if this format is allowed or whether you need to submit your documents in a different format. If PDF files are acceptable, I recommend always converting your MS Word file to a PDF to fix the formatting in place. Also: A PDF file still needs to be machine readable. After converting, check if you can highlight the text or use the search bar to look for a word in the document.
- Many people use tabs to format their resume or CV, which often results in an uneven alignment of text. I have always preferred to use tables with invisible borders for formatting, with the “View gridlines” option selected while working on the document. However, some ATS don’t like tables, so until the technology advances, tabs may be the better option. Just make sure that all your indents, paragraph and line spacing, and other formatting elements are consistent.
Use Typesetting Software
Another option is to use typesetting software, such as Adobe’s InDesign, to format your resume or CV. This kind of software allows you to create sleek looking documents, but is often intended for professionals in the design and publishing industries. They can be pricey and/or also complex to learn how to use. Alternatives to InDesign include Microsoft Publisher (set to be discontinued in 2026), Scribus (open source), and QuarkXPress (Quark). Another typesetting software that is worth mentioning is LaTeX. Originally designed for the production of scientific and technical documents, LaTeX comes with a bit of a learning curve. However, once you get the hang of it, you can create a beautiful resume template that is easy to update.
Also refer to my post on Tips for Formatting Your Resume or CV for additional pointers.