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Writer's pictureRenata Bernarde
Aug 26

Why Your Resume Might Not Be Working

Episode 253 - These Are the Best (and Worst) Resume Templates You Can Find Online




In today’s hyper-competitive job market, your resume is your personal marketing tool.  Therefore, choosing a good template is quite a challenge for many professionals.  Especially due to the fact that the first "thing" looking at your resume most often is a bot, not the human eye. Most employers now rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sift through countless resumes, which means the template you choose can significantly impact whether or not your application ever gets seen by human eyes.


As a career coach with years of experience helping professionals apply for jobs and advance their careers, I’ve encountered countless resumes that looked great on the surface but were fundamentally flawed in terms of ATS compatibility. To investigate whether freely available resume templates are up to the task, I conducted an in-depth analysis of some of the most popular sources for free resume templates online. The results were enlightening—and in some cases, alarming.


The Investigation: Are Free Resume Templates Good or Bad?


To determine whether freely available resume templates are more of a help or a hindrance, I analyzed templates from four of the most popular sources: Microsoft Word, Canva, Reddit, and Indeed. My goal was to identify templates that are not only visually appealing but also functional in terms of ATS readability. I approached this investigation with the understanding that the majority of job seekers, especially those with significant experience, need a resume that balances style with substance.


Here’s what I found.


Microsoft Word: Reliable, But Not Without Flaws


Microsoft Word has long been a go-to for job seekers looking for free resume templates. The platform offers a wide variety of templates that are easily customizable and familiar to most users.


Best Template: Basic Professional Resume

This template is a straightforward, single-column format with clear headings and minimal design elements. It’s ATS-friendly, making it a solid choice for professionals. However, it’s important to remove any unnecessary lines or shading that might interfere with ATS parsing.


Worst Template: Playful Business Resume

With its multi-column layout, heavy use of color, and inclusion of a photo, this template is far from ATS-friendly. It’s a prime example of a visually appealing design that fails to function effectively in today’s job market.


Canva: Style Over Substance


Canva is known for its sleek, visually striking templates, making it a favorite among those in creative fields. However, these designs often come at the expense of ATS compatibility.


Best Template: White and Black Tech Professional Resume

While still visually appealing, this template is simple enough to pass through ATS without major issues. It uses a single-column format and standard fonts, but be cautious of any columns at the bottom, which should be removed for optimal functionality.


Worst Template: Colorful Pastel Minimalist Resume

Despite its name, this template is anything but minimalist. It’s packed with colors, graphics, and multiple columns, all of which are likely to confuse ATS. This template may be eye-catching, but it’s a risky choice for any serious job seeker.


Reddit: A Mixed Bag of Advice


Reddit offers a wealth of advice on just about every topic, including resume writing. However, the quality of the templates shared on this platform varies widely, and many are not ATS-friendly.


Best Recommendation: While Reddit doesn’t offer templates directly, users often recommend the Harvard resume template, which is ATS-compatible. However, it’s worth noting that this template comes with very skinny margins and centralized headings that can be difficult to read. A few tweaks, like widening the margins and left-aligning the headings, can make this a more viable option.


Worst Aspect: The plethora of bad advice. Many Reddit users share templates that are visually busy and laden with design elements that ATS cannot process. It’s a reminder that not all advice found online is worth following.


Indeed: Disappointing from a Job Search Giant


Given that Indeed is one of the largest job boards globally, I expected more from its resume templates. Unfortunately, the selection was limited, and the designs left much to be desired.


Best Template: Minimalist Resume

This template is simple and effective, making it one of the better options available on Indeed. However, like many others, it includes lines and columns that should be removed to ensure ATS compatibility.


Worst Template: The Executive

The font choice here is a major misstep—it’s reminiscent of a Western movie poster rather than a professional resume. Additionally, the orange-brown color scheme is far from professional. This template is a clear example of what not to use when applying for executive roles.


The Importance of Customization


The most important takeaway from my investigation is that no matter where you source your resume template, customization is key. Even the best templates need to be adjusted to ensure they’re ATS-friendly. This means stripping away unnecessary design elements, sticking to a single-column format, and choosing standard fonts.


In today’s job market, your resume needs to do more than just look good—it needs to get through the filters that stand between you and your next opportunity. By choosing the right template and making the necessary adjustments, you can increase your chances of landing that crucial interview.


For more insights on optimizing your resume and navigating the job market, listen to the full episode of my podcast. It’s packed with practical advice that can help you get your resume into the right hands.


And if you need help with your resume design, job application, and career plans, consider working with me.



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