Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac Word for the web Word 2024 Word 2024 for Mac Word 2021 Word 2021 for Mac Word 2019 Word 2016

If you need help creating a resume or cover letter, start with one of the dozens of professionally-designed resume and cover letter templates that are available in Word.

  1. Go to File > New.

  2. In the search box, type Resume or Cover Letter.

    The search word, Resume, is highlighted on the New document screen.

  3. Double-click the template you want to use.

  4. Replace the placeholder text with your own information.

  1. On the File menu, select New from Template.

  2. In the search box, type Resume or Cover Letter.

    Resume is hightlighted in the templates search box

  3. Double-click the template you want to use.

  4. Replace the placeholder text with your own information.

See also

Create and use your own template in Office for Mac

Creating a resume using a template in Word while you’re online is quick and easy.

Choose a Template

Start by selecting a template that suits your style and the job you're applying for. Go to File > New> Browse Templates and select Explore all templates at the bottom of the page. Not sure which template you should choose? Check out these great resume examples ​​​​​​​and how to customize them easily.

When you’ve found the perfect resume template be sure rename with a recruiter-friendly name. When saving your resume, include your name and the word “resume” such as the format LastName_FirstName_Resume.

Build your Resume

A well-crafted resume can set you apart in a competitive market, start by filling in the template sections and review the blog post how to write a resume. For tips on formatting your resume, check out best resume formats and the best resume fonts, sizes and formatting tips.

Many templates use tables to streamline the layout. They can help organize information neatly. If you need to add more lines for job experience or education, you can add rows to the table by selecting the table, navigating to Table Layout in the Ribbon and clicking Insert. For a clean look, you can hide the table borders by navigating to Table Design > Table Borders and selecting No Border.

Format Painter is a great tool to quickly apply the same formatting, such as fonts and colors, to different parts of your resume.

Use Editor to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. It's an invaluable tool to ensure your resume is polished.

Get Feedback

Before finalizing your resume, select Share on the ribbon to get feedback from trusted friends or mentors. Their insights can help you refine your resume.

Share it

When you’re finished, export it to a PDF, print it out, or share it online. You can do this with the resume still open in Word for the web. No need to save it first (that's already done for you). To export as a PDF, go to File > Exportand select Download as PDF. To print it, go to File > Print or press Ctrl+P, and wait for the Print dialog box. To share it, click Share near the top of the screen, and click Copy Link.

Tip: If you have a blog or website, you can embed a view of your resume there.​​​​​​​

Remember, your resume is a reflection of your professional experience and skills. Keep it concise, clear, and focused on your achievements and qualifications. 

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