How to make your resume
- Pick a template above. The example resume shows how each section should look.
- Replace the example with your own details. The preview on the right updates as you type, and everything is saved in your browser.
- Rename, reorder or delete sections, or add new ones such as Projects, Certifications or Languages.
- Tap Download PDF or Word (DOCX). Both are free and have no watermark.
- Tap Check with ATS checker to see the text an applicant tracking system will read from your PDF, and compare it with a job description.
What makes a resume ATS-friendly
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is the software companies use to collect applications. It turns your file into plain text and splits it into contact details, experience, education and skills, so recruiters can search and filter candidates. Most problems come from layouts that look good to a person but scramble that plain text:
- Two columns or sidebars. Many parsers read straight across the page and mix your skills sidebar into your job history.
- Tables and text boxes. Their text can be read out of order or skipped.
- Contact details in the header. Some systems ignore page headers and footers.
- Icons, skill bars and photos. Images carry no text, so “Python ★★★★☆” becomes just “Python”, and a phone icon is not the word “Phone”.
- Creative headings. “Where I’ve been” is harder to file than “Experience”.
The templates here avoid all of these by design. They still look clean and modern: good typography, clear hierarchy and enough white space for a recruiter to skim in seconds.
Templates
| Template | Best for | Section order |
|---|---|---|
| US Classic | Most US and Canadian jobs | Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications |
| US Modern | Tech, design and startup roles | Summary, Skills, Experience, Projects, Education |
| India Fresher | Students and recent graduates in India | Career Objective, Education (with CGPA), Skills, Projects, Internship, Certifications, Achievements, Personal Details, Declaration |
| India Professional | 1+ years of experience in India and the Gulf | Professional Summary, Key Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications |
More help: resume format for freshers, why there is no sign-up, how it compares with Zety, and the free ATS resume checker.
Questions people ask
Is this resume builder really free?
Yes. Building, editing, the PDF download and the Word download are all free, with no trial, no watermark and no limit on how many resumes you make or how often you download. It runs in your browser, so it costs us nothing each time you use it.
Do I need to sign up?
No. There is no account. Your resumes are saved in this browser’s local storage, so they are still here when you come back on the same device. To use a resume on another device, export it as a JSON file and import it there.
Is my information uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything you type stays on your device. The PDF and Word files are made in your browser. The page only loads its own code and fonts from this site.
Are the templates ATS-friendly?
Every template is a single column of real text in a standard font (Helvetica or Times), with plain section headings, your contact details in the body of the page, and no tables, text boxes, images or icons. Those are the layout features that most often confuse applicant tracking systems. You can check the result yourself: the “Check with ATS checker” button opens your PDF in our free checker and shows the exact text a parser extracts.
Can I select and copy the text in the PDF?
Yes. The PDF contains real text, not a picture of your resume, so it can be selected, searched and read by applicant tracking systems and screen readers. Email addresses and web links are clickable.
Should I send a PDF or a Word file?
Use whatever the job posting asks for. If it does not say, a text-based PDF keeps your layout exactly as you see it, and most applicant tracking systems read it well. Some older systems and some recruiters prefer Word (.docx), which is why both downloads are offered.
Which template should I use?
For jobs in India, use India Fresher if you are a student or recent graduate (education and projects first), or India Professional if you have work experience. For the US and Canada, US Classic suits most fields and US Modern suits tech and startups. You can switch templates at any time without losing what you typed.
Why does ₹ turn into “Rs.”?
The PDF uses the standard Helvetica and Times fonts that every PDF reader and parser understands, and those fonts do not include the rupee sign. The builder writes “Rs.” instead so nothing is lost. Characters from other scripts, such as Hindi, are shown as “?”; the builder warns you if your resume has any.