The 11 Best Professional Resume Templates for 2025
Choose the perfect resume template from QuickCV's curated collection—from entry-level to executive positions, all ATS-optimized and free to use.
Your resume template isn't just about looks—it's your first impression, your personal brand, and often the deciding factor in whether a recruiter spends 6 seconds or 6 minutes reviewing your application.
But here's the catch: the "best" template varies dramatically by industry, role, and career stage. A creative template that works for a graphic designer will get a software engineer's resume rejected by ATS. A minimalist design perfect for tech startups looks unprofessional for law firm applications.
In this guide, we'll break down QuickCV's 11 professional resume templates, when to use each one, and how to choose the right one for your specific situation.
Quick Template Finder
If you're applying to:
- • Corporate/Finance: Atlas (ATS 90%)
- • Tech/Startups: Aurora or Vertex
- • Creative Fields: Nebula or Verde
- • Healthcare: Bloom or Atlas
- • Professional Services: Obsidian
By style preference:
- • Modern: Prism (ATS 94%)
- • Classic: Keystone or Bloom
- • Minimalist: Delta (ATS 92%)
- • Creative: Cascade or Verde
How to Choose the Right Resume Template
Before diving into specific templates, understand these three factors:
1. Industry Standards
Different industries have different expectations:
Conservative Industries:
- • Finance, Banking, Law
- • Government, Healthcare
- • Prefer: Traditional, clean layouts
- • Avoid: Colors, creative designs
Creative Industries:
- • Design, Marketing, Media
- • Startups, Tech (sometimes)
- • Prefer: Modern, visual elements
- • Avoid: Too generic or boring
2. ATS Compatibility
75% of resumes are filtered by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before humans see them. Your template MUST be ATS-friendly with: simple formatting, standard fonts, no tables/text boxes, clear section headings, and single-column layout.
Rule of thumb: If you're applying online through a portal, ATS compatibility is critical.
3. Your Experience Level
Entry-level: Focus on education, skills, and potential. Use templates that emphasize these sections.
Mid-level: Highlight specific achievements and career progression with balanced layouts.
Senior/Executive: Demonstrate leadership and impact with bold, authoritative designs.
QuickCV's 11 Professional Resume Templates
All templates are ATS-optimized, professionally designed, and instantly customizable. We've organized them by category to help you find your perfect match.
Free Templates (3)
Perfect for getting started—no credit card required
1. Aurora
ATS 85%Modern • Clean • Professional
A modern, clean template with excellent readability. Features a clean professional layout that balances visual appeal with ATS compatibility.
Best for: Tech professionals, startups, modern companies, entry to mid-level candidates
2. Atlas
ATS 90%Classic • Traditional • Safe
Classic professional resume template with traditional formatting. The highest ATS score among free templates makes it perfect for corporate applications.
Best for: Corporate, finance, healthcare, government, conservative industries, all career levels
3. Cascade
ATS 88%Modern • Colorful • Engaging
Modern template with colorful section headers that add personality while maintaining professionalism. Strikes a balance between creative and corporate.
Best for: Marketing, sales, creative tech roles, companies with modern culture
Premium Templates (8)
Advanced designs for standing out—included with Pro plan
4. Prism
Most PopularModern • Premium • Highest ATS Score
Most popular modern template with excellent ATS compatibility. The best of both worlds—professional appearance with top-tier ATS optimization.
Best for: All industries, senior roles, anyone prioritizing ATS compatibility without sacrificing design
5. Delta
ATS 92%Minimalist • Simple • Content-Focused
Minimalist design focusing on content with simple layout. Perfect for those who believe less is more.
Best for: Tech, design, consulting, anyone with strong experience who wants content to shine
6. Vertex
ATS 91%Modern • Structured • Organized
Well-structured modern template with clearly defined sections. Excellent for showcasing multiple skill areas and complex work history.
Best for: Project managers, engineers, consultants, mid to senior-level professionals
7. Obsidian
ATS 90%Professional • Bold • Executive
Professional template with bold section headers that command attention. Strong visual hierarchy for leadership roles.
Best for: Senior managers, directors, executives, professional services
8. Bloom
ATS 90%Classic • Single-Column • Clean
Clean single-column template with subtle dividers. Traditional approach with modern refinement.
Best for: Academic, research, traditional corporations, anyone preferring classic layouts
9. Nebula
ATS 87%Creative • Unique • Stylish
Creative template with unique styling for roles where personality matters. Stand out in creative industries.
Best for: Designers, marketers, creative directors, advertising, media
10. Verde
ATS 86%Creative • Nature-Inspired • Fresh
Creative template with nature-inspired design elements. Brings a fresh perspective to creative applications.
Best for: Environmental roles, sustainability, creative industries, non-profits
11. Keystone
ATS 88%Classic • Traditional • Timeless
Classic template with traditional formatting that never goes out of style. Reliable choice for any professional setting.
Best for: Legal, accounting, banking, insurance, established corporations
5 Template Mistakes That Cost You Interviews
1. Using Canva Templates for ATS Applications
Canva templates are beautiful but often use tables, text boxes, and graphics that ATS cannot read. Your resume may look perfect to humans but get rejected by the system before anyone sees it.
2. Choosing Style Over Industry Fit
A creative template might express your personality, but if you're applying to conservative industries, it signals poor judgment. Always prioritize industry norms over personal preference.
3. Overdesigning (Too Much Visual Clutter)
Colors, icons, charts, and graphics everywhere? Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on initial review. If they can't quickly find your relevant experience, you're rejected. Simplicity wins.
4. Using Outdated Templates
Templates from 2010 with objective statements, "References available upon request," and dated fonts (Times New Roman in 12pt) scream outdated. Use modern, 2025-appropriate designs.
5. Not Tailoring Template to Your Experience Level
A fresh graduate using an executive template looks presumptuous. A senior director using a student template looks inexperienced. Match the template's weight to your career stage.
How to Customize Your Template
Once you choose a template, these customizations make it uniquely yours while maintaining professionalism:
Colors
Stick to 1-2 colors maximum. Navy blue, dark green, or charcoal gray are safest. Avoid: bright red, neon colors, or multiple accent colors.
Exception: Creative fields can use bolder colors, but keep them sophisticated.
Fonts
Use 2 fonts maximum: one for headings, one for body text. Safe choices: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia, Garamond.
Body text: 10-11pt. Headings: 14-16pt. Name: 18-24pt.
Spacing
White space is your friend. Don't cram information. Use consistent spacing between sections (0.5-1 inch margins).
Tip: If struggling to fit everything, remove less relevant info rather than shrinking fonts below 10pt.
Section Order
Most important sections should be near the top. Typical order: Contact → Summary (optional) → Experience → Education → Skills → Additional sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my resume be one page or two pages?
One page if: You have less than 10 years experience, applying to entry/mid-level roles, or in industries that value conciseness (startups, tech).
Two pages if: 10+ years experience, senior/executive roles, academic positions, or you have extensive relevant accomplishments. Never go to 3 pages unless you're in academia.
Can I use color in my resume?
Yes, but strategically. One accent color (like navy blue or dark green) for headers and lines is fine for most industries. Conservative fields (law, finance) should stick to black and white. Creative fields can use more color, but keep it sophisticated—this isn't an art project.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
In the US, UK, and Canada: No. Photos can introduce bias and are not expected. In some European and Asian countries, photos are standard—research your target country's norms. For creative portfolios or LinkedIn, photos are fine.
How do I know if my template is ATS-friendly?
Simple test: Copy your resume and paste it into Notepad. If the text is readable and properly organized, it's ATS-friendly. If it's jumbled or missing information, the ATS will have the same problem. Alternatively, use resume builders like QuickCV that guarantee ATS compatibility.
Can I change templates for different jobs?
Absolutely! You should have 2-3 resume versions: an ATS-optimized version for online applications, a polished version for PDF/email submissions, and potentially a creative version if you're in creative fields. Tailor the template choice to each application.
Ready to Choose Your Perfect Template?
Explore all 11 professional, ATS-optimized templates on QuickCV. From classic designs like Atlas to modern layouts like Prism—all customizable to match your personal brand.
3 free templates • 8 premium templates • All ATS-optimized