Microsoft offers resume templates for free through the Microsoft Word program. Related: Listing Professional Experience on Your Resume Locating a resume template in Word With a template on Word, you can pre-select certain formatting and design elements, allowing you more time to focus on describing your qualifications. For example, a professional applying for a graphic design role can use the opportunity to display their creativity and design skills by using color and space in a unique way.

When creating your resume, consider tailoring the design to the position. The colors, arrangement of elements, use of white space and text alignment all factor into an employer's first impression. While the content of your resume can describe your value, the design is also important. The purpose of a resume is to highlight your most relevant skills, education and professional experiences to show employers why they may consider you for an open position. Under each section are lines representing text. Then the headlines Summary, Professional History, Educational History, Skills, and Awards & Achievements. On the right side of the image is a sample resume with the name Janet Chobot and lines representing text underneath. Optional (Awards & Achievements, Hobbies & Interests)

On the left side of the infographic, a numbered list points to each section of the resume.

'Resume Format' is the title of this infographic that shows an image of an example resume.

Downloadable word resume templates