Two-column resume templates with sidebar structure
Two-column layouts place contact details, skills, or certifications in a sidebar while keeping main experience readable in the primary column.
Use a two-column resume template when you want dense information organized without cluttering the page. MakeResume sidebar layouts separate supporting details from your career narrative so recruiters can scan skills and credentials quickly. For ATS-heavy applications, validate your export—some systems prefer single-column bodies—using our ATS checker before submitting.
MakeResume's resume templates are expertly designed to help you land your next great position. Whether you're in a hurry to submit your application or simply don't know where to start, our resume templates provide a strong foundation to make your experience and qualifications shine.
Here are some of the advantages of our professional resume templates:
Easy to use: We're all about great design with no hassle. That's why our templates are intuitive and easy to use, saving you precious time when it comes to creating a great resume.
ATS-friendly Resume Templates: Hiring managers aren't the only ones who will be evaluating your resume. That's why we've created our templates with automated resume scanners in mind and made sure our templates are easy to read for both humans and robots alike.
AI-powered sample sentences: Our templates are powered by our intuitive AI resume builder that makes it easy to craft a job-winning resume with features like an AI-powered summary generator and sample sentences for hundreds of job titles.
Highly customizable: Every applicant and every job is different, so we've created templates that can be easily adapted to your needs. Change the color scheme, add a photo, or adjust the line spacing in just a few clicks.
Adaptable for all jobs and industries: Our collection of professionally designed templates range from simple and minimalistic to modern and professional to ensure there's a layout for every job and industry.
Free & premium options: Our trial and tiered pricing plans mean there's an option for everyone. Try for free or subscribe to MakeResume Pro to download as many versions as you'd like.
Choosing the right resume template
Our resume templates are divided into four categories to help you quickly find the template that's best for you.
Our professional templates are a great option for applying to traditional industries like law, business, and finance. They work well for roles where conservative design is valued, but they still follow the resume rules that employers look for. They provide a solid base for making customizations.
Our creative resume templates are designed to make you stand out from the crowd, while still making an impression on a hiring manager. Use these templates when applying to creative roles like graphic design, video production, and more.
Modern resume templates
Our modern resume templates are designed to capture the attention of employers who value innovation and forward-thinking. Use them when applying to tech start-ups, IT roles, engineering, marketing, HR, sales, and more.
Our simple resume templates are perfect when applying through automated hiring software and when the companies you're applying to have a conservative culture. Simple resume templates are versatile — use them for jobs in industries like hospitality, retail, customer service, food service, childcare, and more. Browse our simple resume templates for layouts that keep the focus on your experience.
The best resume templates contain the right sections and formatting choices to make your experience jump off the page. Here's what to look for in your next resume template.
Typical resume structureMakeResume
Breakdown of the typical chronological resume structure
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An attractive header: The resume header is arguably the most important part of the template because this is where most of the layout design will come into play. Always choose a template with a header that emphasizes your name and offers enough space for your contact details and links to your LinkedIn or professional portfolio.
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Readability: A good resume template should be easy to read. While readability is determined by a combination of factors, including font and color, one of the key things to look for is a balance of white space to text. Your resume should be well-balanced—not too sparse or overcrowded with information. You can use a one-column or two-column layout to optimize its presentation.
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The right amount of space for your experience: When choosing a resume template, it's important to consider the amount of experience you have, and so the amount of space you'll need on the page. For mid and senior level applicants, look for templates that offer plenty of space in the employment history section. Students should look for page designs that can easily be filled with only two or three entries.
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Professional font styles, sizes, and colors: Your font style should be easy to read and somewhere between 10-12 points in size. Also, make sure to choose a professional color scheme that stands out while still painting you as a serious candidate. See our guide to the best font for your resume.
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Customizable: A great resume template can be customized to your needs. MakeResume's templates are all housed inside of our intuitive builder tool, making it easy to create and download different versions in a few clicks.
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The right file format: Make sure to check the job description carefully and download your resume in the version the employer is looking for. When in doubt, PDF is generally the best option for emailing, printing, and uploading to online application portals.