15 proven resume examples and tips for 2025

A well-crafted resume is essential for standing out in a competitive job market. With recruiters spending just six to seven seconds scanning each resume and nearly 70 percent filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS) before reaching a human, it’s important to get both the content and formatting right.

Telling a clear career story, using impactful keywords, and choosing an ATS-friendly layout can make all the difference. Microsoft Word helps simplify this process with job-specific templates that are easy to customize using the online resume builder. Explore resume examples that suit a range of careers and expert customization advice to make a great impression on hiring managers.

Benefits of using Microsoft Word resume templates

• Match recruiter expectations: hiring managers compare every resume to a checklist that covers section order, font size, and overall resume format. A role-specific template follows these standards, so your career story is visible at first glance.

• Save time: begin with a layout that suits your profession and focus on adding your unique skills, experience, and achievements to it instead of starting from scratch.

• Pass the ATS software: modern ATS software looks for specific job titles and both technical skills and soft skills. Starting with a template that already matches your target role means those keywords appear in the right places, helping your own resume pass the first filter.

• Polish faster with AI: rephrase or summarize your resume content with Copilot in Word and enhance your resume for clarity.

1. Office manager resume example

Office managers orchestrate schedules, budgets, and visitor experiences with precision, and a resume for this role should reflect the same level of organization. This modern template elevates your profile through a bold nameplate and job title that instantly creates a memorable personal brand. A balanced two-column layout places your experience and education in the main view, while a quick-scan sidebar groups skills and interests.

Classic office manager resume

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How to customize this office manager resume template

• Showcase operational impact with a line such as “oversaw daily front-office workflow for 80 staff, cutting vendor response time by 25 percent”.

• Add your software stack, such as Outlook scheduling, Dynamics 365, and QuickBooks, to the skills column so ATS scanners detect job-specific keywords.

• Use the interests section to hint at culture fit instead of adding generic hobbies, for example, ‘community event planning’ or ‘volunteer budgeting’.

2. Hospitality resume example

Hospitality and food service professionals create memorable guest experiences, guide fast-paced teams, and maintain smooth operations in the kitchen and front of the house. This pastel template showcases that expertise with a tall serif nameplate on the left that sets an upscale tone and the rest of the resume layout is friendly to applicant-tracking systems.

Classic food service resume

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How to customize this food service resume template

• Replace the objective section with a crisp “service philosophy” paragraph sharing two sentences on guest experience and profitability that set you apart from generic food service resumes.

• List certifications like ServSafe Manager, TIPS, or WSET Level 2 to add must-have keywords for both ATS software and hiring managers.

• Lead with a revenue-focused line such as “boosted average cheque size by 18 percent through menu engineering and server upsell training”.

3. Project manager resume example

Project managers guide complex projects to the finish line, balance budgets, timelines, and rally cross-functional teams toward shared goals. This clean template highlights leadership with red accent lines that separate resume sections into easy-to-scan blocks. The bold splash of color keeps the layout modern and signals confidence to hiring managers at first glance.

Project management resume

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How to customize this project manager resume template

• Use results-oriented language in the objective and experience section, mentioning budgets, timelines, and outcomes where relevant.

• Place certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, and AgilePM alongside your degrees, so hiring algorithms register your academic and professional credentials.

• Humanize your profile and show leadership beyond the office by mentioning volunteering, mentoring, or conference speaking.

4. Accountant resume example

Accountants safeguard a company's finances and translate raw numbers into clear insights, and this finance resume example captures that precision on page. This accounting resume template includes a concise personal summary statement that uses relevant industry terms, making it a good base to customize and showcase your accounting experience. Flaunt your key numbers and software proficiencies using this ATS-friendly resume.

ATS stylish accounting resume

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How to customize this accountant resume template

• Pair academic and professional keywords together by listing credentials such as CPA, ACCA, or CMA in the education section.

• Add metrics to establish success, for example “analyzed and reconciled $10 million in annual revenue across 12 subsidiaries with 100 percent on-time reporting”.

• Mention software and frameworks in the skills section like Microsoft Dynamics NAV, NetSuite, QuickBooks, and IFRS.

5. Teacher resume example

Teachers guide learning, monitor progress, provide feedback, and inspire students every day. This mint-green resume template offers a warm yet professional way to showcase an educator’s strengths. The clear layout highlights key qualifications such as experience, education, communication, and leadership.

Stylish teaching resume

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How to customize this teacher resume template

• Consider swapping the website link placeholder to direct to a digital teaching portfolio so hiring managers can preview your teaching portfolio.

• Use the leadership section to showcase proactivity and extracurricular impact such as “founded school robotics club and guided team to regional championship win in first year”.

• Ensure you list all the key certifications in your resume, including your state licensure, ESL or Special Education endorsements, and First Aid/CPR certifications.

6. Registered nurse resume example

Registered nurses deliver compassionate care, track vital data, and advocate for patients across busy wards and clinics. This warm resume sample from Microsoft Word can help spotlight that commitment with a welcoming photo and a large nameplate that makes you memorable. The resume has clear zones so recruiters can find contact information, education, communication strengths, and leadership highlights immediately.

Bold nursing resume

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How to customize this registered nurse resume template

• Begin the experience section sharing results clearly, like “managed a twelve-bed pediatric unit and maintained 98 percent patient satisfaction scores for three years”.

• Add credentials like BSN, BLS, and ACLS so licensing bodies and ATS scanners detect essential qualifications instantly.

• Replace the placeholder communication and leadership section with evidence of impact, for example, “trained eight new nurses on epic EMR, reducing charting errors by 20 percent”.

7. Social media marketing specialist resume example

Social media marketing specialists build digital communities for brands, analyze engagement data, and write content that converts followers into customers. This elegant resume template helps digital marketers present their career journey and achievements like reach, clicks, and conversions stand out for both hiring managers and applicant-tracking systems. The education sidebar is a clear way of showing continuous learning in a fast-moving field.

Social media marketing resume

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How to customize this social media marketing specialist resume template

• Use bulleted headings in the experience block like 'audience growth’ or ‘paid media ROI’ to make strongest results easier to skim.

• Group platforms and tools together in skills, for example, “Microsoft Dynamics, Meta Ads Manager, TikTok Insights,” so ATS scanners pick up the keywords.

• Open the profile section with a quantified win such as “grew Instagram community from 15,000 to 60,000 followers in twelve months and lifted conversion rate to 3.2 percent”.

8. Graphic designer resume example

Graphic designers transform ideas into visuals that drive recognition and sales, so their resume must strike a balance between creativity and clear information flow. This elegant Microsoft Word resume template achieves this by utilizing a refined serif nameplate, a neat three-column header that guides the eye across each section. The light, floral sketch in the footer adds personality without distracting from the content, while ample white space keeps the experience and education readable for hiring managers and ATS software.

Elegant graphic design resume

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How to customize this graphic designer resume template

• Pair creativity with measurable impact across the resume using active, results-based language such as brand visibility, user engagement, or campaign delivery.

• Add a live portfolio link in the Contact column using a short URL or QR code, making it effortless for recruiters to view your best work.

• Swap the footer illustration for a personal monogram or signature icon to reinforce your visual brand.

9. Sales engineer resume example

Sales engineers blend technical know-how with persuasive communication to turn complex products into clear terms. This modern template showcases that dual skill set with a bold header for name and title, followed by a streamlined summary space where you can share a unique blend of engineering insight and quota-crushing results. The resume layout makes KPIs and certifications easy to find for both ATS software and recruiters.

Modern bold sales resume

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How to customize this sales engineer resume template

• Add a link to a short product demo video or GitHub repo in the contact area to give recruiters a quick way to see your technical communication.

• Combine sales tools and technical platforms so keyword scanners can see both sides of your expertise.

• Use the leadership block to note achievements like “mentored five junior sales engineers who exceeded quota by an average of 12 percent,” proving coaching ability.

10. Attorney resume example

Attorneys safeguard organizations through sharp analysis, persuasive writing, and thorough risk management, and their resume should reflect that strategic mindset. This legal template showcases case outcomes and compliance wins that matter in an attorney job search. A sleek monochrome header displays name and title, and the following sections guide hiring managers straight to achievements and highlights. Bullet points under each role make contract reviews, regulatory filings, and leadership results easy for applicant-tracking systems to capture.

Bold attorney resume

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How to customize this attorney resume template

• Use the profile to specify sectors you specialize in, for example, medical devices, lifestyle, or fintech, to show domain expertise immediately.

• Add bulleted headings in achievements, like ‘contract negotiation’ or ‘compliance oversight’ so recruiters can scan for core competencies.

• Open the experience section with a measurable win, such as “led regulatory strategy that reduced product approval time by 30 percent across three regions.”

11. HR specialist resume example

Human resources specialists attract talent, resolve workplace issues, and keep policies compliant, so an effective resume needs to balance people skills with data-driven results. Among Microsoft Word sample resumes, this clean layout helps job seekers do exactly that. A centred nameplate and slim contact line sit up top for quick identification, followed by a summary paragraph where you can highlight years of service, retention wins, and negotiation strengths. Clear section labels in light grey guide hiring managers to experience, skills, and education, while wide margins keep the page uncluttered for ATS systems.

ATS classic HR cover letter

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How to customize this HR specialist resume template

• Mix technical with soft skills together and add job-specific platform information like HRIS platforms and analytics tools.

• Use bullet labels like ‘compliance training’ or ‘diversity initiatives’ to showcase specialized projects that could align with future employer priorities.

• Add certifications, such as SHRM-CP or PHR, immediately after your degree in the education block, so that credentials stand out.

12. Assistant manager resume example

Assistant managers bridge strategy and daily operations, guiding teams, managing budgets, and ensuring customer satisfaction. This template helps you craft a perfect resume by organizing each detail into clear panels. A slim top bar contact information, while an objective paragraph allows you to highlight your leadership style and service philosophy. Generous spacing and bold section labels make the resume easy to scan for ATS software and recruiters.

Classic management resume

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How to customize this assistant manager resume template

• Use the timeline icons to highlight career progression in a chronological resume like moving from shift leader to assistant manager.

• Include software and essential operations management tools, such as point-of-sale systems, inventory platforms, and Microsoft Excel.

• Replace the references block with “Awards” if you have recognitions like Employee of the Quarter, adding proof of performance without stretching the page length.

13. Web developer resume example

Web developers bridge coding expertise and design instincts, making them key contributors in creative fields where user experience drives success. This template helps you build a strong resume with a spacious header for name, title, and links, followed by slim horizontal lines that guide the reader through objective, skills, and experience. The formatting and bulleted lists showcase project wins and tech stacks without overwhelming hiring managers and technical leaders.

Modern web developer resume

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How to customize this web developer resume template

• Start the experience block with a result such as “reduced page load time from six seconds to under two seconds, lifting conversions by twenty percent”.

• List your technology stack in groups, for example, HTML and CSS, JavaScript and React, Node.js and MongoDB, to pass the ATS software.

• Add a live portfolio link in the contact or objective section, giving recruiters a chance to review responsive sites, animations, and other creative work.

14. UI / UX designer resume example

UI/UX designers translate user research into intuitive screens and delightful interactions, and these skills can open doors in different industries from e-commerce to health tech. This template sets you up to stand out from the crowd with a crisp navy header for name and title, followed by a two-column body. The clean dividers and roomy margins keep eye-tracking smooth, helping both hiring managers and applicant-tracking systems locate key tools, metrics, and portfolio links fast.

Simple UI/UX designer resume

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How to customize this UI/UX designer resume template

• Add a one-line value statement that links to a live case study or portfolio page, providing recruiters with instant proof.

• Open the experience section with a measurable win such as “redesigned checkout flow and raised mobile conversion by eighteen percent in three months.”

• List design and research tools side by side so that ATS keyword scanners capture the full stack.

15. General practitioner resume example

General practitioners manage broad patient portfolios, diagnose diverse conditions, and coordinate care across specialties. This ATS-friendly template shows those strengths with a centered nameplate and a clean summary paragraph that explains your approach to patient-centered medicine. Skills and education sit side by side in neat columns, so board certifications and EHR expertise are easy to spot. A bold work-experience block follows, giving room for patient outcomes and community health projects, while hobby icons add a human touch without crowding the page.

GP resume

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How to customize this general practitioner resume template

• Start the summary with a measurable impact, for example, “provided preventive care for a 2,000-patient panel and increased vaccination compliance to 94 percent.”

• Add board certification details and CME highlights under education to show ongoing commitment to professional development.

• Use the work-experience section to highlight initiatives that pair patient care with community impact.

How to edit a resume template in Word

1. In your browser, explore Word resume templates

2. Double click on the free resume template you want to use

3. Customize the text with your personal information

4. Save, print, and send your resume as a PDF

With the right resume and cover letter, your next job interview is right around the corner. Get started with the free online resume builder to create a polished CV in Microsoft Word in a few minutes.