7 Best Example of a Resume Formats for 2025

The best way to find the best example of a resume is to see what works across different industries and career levels. Below, we provide a deep analysis of 7 powerful resume examples designed for various roles, from recent graduates to senior software engineers. We break down the strategic choices behind each layout, pinpoint common mistakes to avoid, and offer actionable steps to replicate their success. The goal is to equip you with a proven framework that not only passes the ATS check but also convinces a hiring manager you are the perfect fit.

1. CV Anywhere

CV Anywhere positions itself not just as a resume builder, but as a complete, AI-powered job search workspace. It's our top recommendation for anyone seeking the best example of a resume because it guides you through creating, tailoring, and leveraging your document across the entire hiring funnel. This end-to-end approach addresses the entire job search lifecycle, from initial draft to final offer negotiation, making it an exceptionally powerful and efficient tool.

The platform is built around a core philosophy: a great resume is one that gets you an interview. CV Anywhere achieves this by integrating several intelligent tools that work together seamlessly, eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps, spreadsheets, and documents. For job seekers feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of a modern job search, this integrated system provides structure and clarity.

Why CV Anywhere is a Standout Choice

What truly sets CV Anywhere apart is its strategic, holistic ecosystem. While many tools focus solely on resume creation, CV Anywhere understands that a document is only one piece of the puzzle. Its integrated features are designed to work in concert, saving users significant time and increasing their effectiveness at each stage.

Key Strengths:

• End-to-End Workspace: From the Smart CV Builder that creates ATS-friendly resumes to the JD Fit Checker that analyzes job descriptions, the Application Tracker, Interview Coach, and Follow-up Generator, every tool you need is in one place.

• Actionable AI Insights: The AI doesn't just offer generic advice. The JD Fit Checker provides a concrete match score and highlights specific skill and keyword gaps, giving you a clear roadmap for tailoring your resume for each application.

• Confidence-Building Tools: User testimonials frequently praise the AI Interview Coach, which simulates realistic interviews and provides instant feedback. This is invaluable for career changers, recent graduates, or anyone who feels nervous about articulating their value.

• Beyond the Application: With features like AI-powered negotiation scripts and side-by-side offer comparisons from "Ava" the AI Career Coach, the platform supports you all the way through to accepting the best possible offer.

In-Depth Feature Analysis

Practical Tips for Maximizing CV Anywhere

To get the most value from the platform, treat it as your central command center for your job search.

1. Build Your Master Resume First: Use the Smart CV Builder to create a comprehensive "master" version of your resume that includes all your skills and experiences.

2. Clone and Tailor for Each Role: For every job you apply to, clone your master resume. Then, run the job description through the JD Fit Checker and use the insights to tailor your cloned version. This is the fastest way to create a highly targeted, best example of a resume for each specific opportunity.

3. Use the Interview Coach Before Every Interview: Complete at least one or two practice sessions with the AI coach before each real interview. Focus on the questions related to the specific role you're targeting.

Pricing and Access

CV Anywhere offers a flexible pricing model designed to be accessible.

• Free Tier: Includes core tools, two Interview Coach sessions, and limited access to the AI Career Coach.

• Next Move Plan: The most popular option at $9/month, offering unlimited access to most features, including negotiation scripts.

• Lifetime Plan: A one-time payment of $99 for permanent, unlimited access to all features.

While the free tier is generous, serious job seekers will find the paid plans offer significant value, particularly the unlimited interview practice and advanced AI tools. The AI-generated content serves as an excellent accelerator but always benefits from a final human review to ensure it perfectly captures your unique voice and technical nuances.

Visit CV Anywhere to build your next resume

2. Indeed Career Guide

Indeed's Career Guide is less of a single "best example of a resume" and more of a massive, free library containing thousands of them. It serves as an invaluable reference point for job seekers who want to see what real, successful resumes in their specific field look like. By aggregating data from millions of resumes uploaded to its platform, Indeed provides a realistic snapshot of industry standards, common phrasing, and essential skills.

The platform's core strength lies in its sheer volume and role-specific organization. Instead of offering generic templates, it allows you to search for your exact job title, from "Accountant" to "Zoologist," and see multiple real-world examples. This is crucial for understanding the nuanced language and specific accomplishments that resonate within a particular niche.

Why It Stands Out

What makes the Indeed Career Guide a top resource is its data-driven approach. Alongside each resume example, it provides lists of the most common skills, certifications, and responsibilities found on other resumes for that same role. This feature is a goldmine for tailoring your own document and ensuring you haven't missed any critical keywords that an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) might be scanning for.

Strategic Insight: Use Indeed's "Commonly Found Skills" lists as a checklist against the job description. If a skill appears on both Indeed's list and the JD, it's a high-priority keyword that must be included in your resume to pass the initial ATS screening.

How to Use It Effectively

1. Find Your Role: Navigate to the Indeed Resume Samples page and search for your target job title.

2. Analyze Structure and Content: Review several examples to identify patterns. Note how professionals with similar backgrounds structure their experience, quantify their achievements, and phrase their responsibilities.

3. Cross-Reference Skills: Open the job description for a role you're targeting in another tab. Compare the required skills with the "Common Skills" list provided by Indeed for that role. This helps you identify and prioritize the most impactful keywords.

4. Draft Your Sections: Use the examples as inspiration for drafting or refining your own resume sections, paying close attention to action verbs and quantifiable results.

While Indeed is not a full-fledged resume builder and its perspective is heavily US-centric, its value as a free research tool is immense. It provides a practical, data-backed foundation for anyone looking to create a compelling and relevant resume.

3. Resume.io

Resume.io offers a powerful one-two punch for job seekers: a comprehensive library of resume examples integrated directly with an intuitive, ATS-friendly resume builder. This seamless connection allows you to move from inspiration to application quickly, making it a standout resource for finding the best example of a resume and immediately acting on it. With over 500 role-specific examples, each paired with a detailed writing guide, the platform is designed to get you from a blank page to a polished, professional document efficiently.

The platform's main advantage is its integrated workflow. You can browse examples for your industry, find a structure and tone you like, and then click a button to use that corresponding template in the builder. This eliminates the common friction of trying to replicate a format you found online in a separate document, ensuring the final product is well-designed and optimized for applicant tracking systems.

Why It Stands Out

What makes Resume.io a top choice is the synergy between its example library and its powerful builder. Unlike sites that only offer static examples, Resume.io provides an actionable pathway. Each example is more than just a picture; it's a launchpad for your own career story. The builder includes pre-written phrases, a variety of professional templates, and matching cover letter designs, creating a cohesive application package. This functionality is particularly useful for those who want to ensure their resume is not only well-written but also professionally designed.

Strategic Insight: After sharing your resume link from Resume.io, use its built-in analytics feature. This tool can tell you when and how many times your resume has been viewed, giving you valuable intelligence on whether your application has been opened by a recruiter.

How to Use It Effectively

1. Explore the Examples: Navigate to the Resume.io Resume Examples page and filter by industry or job title to find relevant samples.

2. Analyze the Guides: Read the accompanying step-by-step writing guide for your chosen role. These guides offer specific advice on what to include in your summary, experience, and skills sections.

3. Select a Template: Choose an example with a template that suits your style and click "Edit This Resume" to load it directly into the resume builder.

4. Build and Customize: Use the builder's tools and pre-written suggestions to populate your information. For more on how such tools work, you can explore the technology behind a modern resume generator.

5. Download and Share: Complete your resume and download it. Note that a free plan is limited to a TXT file, while a paid subscription is required for PDF or Word formats.

While accessing full-featured downloads requires a paid plan, Resume.io's combination of high-quality examples and a user-friendly builder provides a complete ecosystem for creating a truly effective and professional resume.

4. Zety

Zety is a dual-purpose platform that combines a powerful AI-assisted resume builder with an extensive library of articles, each offering a complete, role-specific best example of a resume. This integration makes it a one-stop shop for job seekers who want not only to see a finished product but also to receive guided assistance in creating their own from scratch. The platform excels at translating complex career histories into clean, recruiter-approved formats.

Zety's primary strength is its user-friendly builder, which provides real-time, context-aware writing suggestions. As you fill out each section, the tool offers pre-written, customizable bullet points tailored to your industry and experience level. This feature helps overcome writer's block and ensures your achievements are framed using powerful action verbs and professional language.

Why It Stands Out

What truly distinguishes Zety is the seamless blend of inspiration and application. You can read a detailed article that breaks down a strong resume example for a "Project Manager," and then immediately enter the builder to apply those principles using AI-powered suggestions. The platform's resume checker also provides an instant score and feedback on your document's strength, highlighting areas for improvement, which is invaluable for final revisions. Many users consider it among the best online resume builders for this guided experience.

Strategic Insight: Use Zety's AI-suggested bullet points as a starting point, not a final draft. Select the ones most relevant to your experience and then customize them with specific metrics and quantifiable results (e.g., change "Managed social media campaigns" to "Managed social media campaigns that increased follower engagement by 35% in six months").

How to Use It Effectively

1. Explore Examples: Browse Zety's blog to find an article with a resume example for your target role. Analyze its structure, tone, and keyword usage.

2. Start with a Template: Choose one of their professionally designed templates in the resume builder. All are formatted to be ATS-friendly.

3. Leverage AI Suggestions: As you write your experience section, review the AI-generated phrases. Select and personalize them with your own data and achievements to make them unique.

4. Run the Resume Checker: Once your draft is complete, use the built-in checker to get a score and actionable tips for improving content, formatting, and keyword optimization.

While you can build a resume for free, downloading it as a PDF or Word file requires a subscription. Despite the paywall, Zety's ability to quickly generate a polished, well-written resume makes it a top choice for those needing structured guidance and a professional layout.

5. Novorésumé

Novorésumé offers a sophisticated platform for those who want a blend of modern design and ATS-compliant structure, making it a source for a best example of a resume that is both visually appealing and functional. It focuses on providing professionally designed templates that guide users to create concise, impactful documents without sacrificing personality. The platform is particularly strong for professionals who need more than a single page, such as academics or senior executives with extensive experience.

Its core strength is the balance it strikes between aesthetics and machine readability. Novorésumé's templates use layouts that are clean and well-organized, ensuring that applicant tracking systems can parse the information correctly while still looking impressive to the human eye. This dual focus addresses a common pain point for job seekers who are often told to choose between a creative resume and an ATS-friendly one.

Why It Stands Out

What makes Novorésumé a top contender is its user-friendly interface combined with flexible, powerful features. The platform offers matching cover letter templates, ensuring a consistent and professional brand across your application documents. Furthermore, its support for multi-page resumes (up to 10 pages for premium users) is a significant advantage for those in fields like academia, medicine, or law, where a comprehensive CV is standard.

The one-time payment model for premium access is another key differentiator. Unlike many competitors that default to recurring subscriptions, Novorésumé provides clarity and control over payments, which is a welcome feature for job seekers managing a budget. This makes it an excellent choice for getting a high-quality resume without a long-term financial commitment.

Strategic Insight: Use Novorésumé's matching cover letter and resume templates to build a cohesive personal brand. A consistent design across all your application materials signals professionalism and attention to detail before a recruiter even reads a single word.

How to Use It Effectively

1. Choose a Template: Browse the Novorésumé templates and select one that aligns with your industry's level of formality. Creative roles might use a more modern layout, while corporate roles benefit from a classic design.

2. Optimize for ATS: Stick to the pre-formatted sections and standard fonts. While you can customize colors, avoid adding graphics, tables, or columns that could confuse an ATS.

3. Create a Cohesive Package: Once your resume is complete, use the "Cover Letter" feature to create a matching document. This ensures your application looks professional and well-thought-out.

4. Select Your Plan: If you need to download your document as a PDF or require more than one page, upgrade to a Premium plan. Choose a term (e.g., one month) that suits your job search timeline.

While the best templates and features are behind a paywall, Novorésumé provides an exceptional tool for creating a truly professional resume. Its focus on clean, effective design and user-friendly terms makes it a standout choice.

6. Canva

Canva is a powerhouse of visual design, and its resume-building capabilities are no exception. While not a traditional source for a single "best example of a resume," it offers thousands of professionally designed templates that serve as a launchpad for creating a visually compelling document. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it incredibly easy for job seekers, especially those in creative fields, to build a resume that stands out from a stack of plain, text-based documents.

The platform's main advantage is its vast library of templates, which cater to a wide range of styles, from modern and minimalist to bold and artistic. This makes Canva an ideal choice for roles in marketing, graphic design, or media, where a touch of personal branding can make a significant impact. The ability to easily customize colors, fonts, and layouts allows users to create a unique resume without needing advanced design skills.

Why It Stands Out

What truly sets Canva apart is its seamless integration of design and functionality. Unlike traditional word processors, Canva's environment is built for visual arrangement, allowing you to add icons, charts, and custom branding elements effortlessly. Many templates also come with matching cover letters, helping you present a cohesive and professional application package. This visual-first approach is perfect for roles where demonstrating creativity is part of the job.

Strategic Insight: For creative roles, use Canva to create a "visual hierarchy." Use color, font size, and layout to guide the recruiter's eye to your most important qualifications, like your portfolio link or key skills, making your resume scannable and memorable. However, always save a simplified, text-based version for online application portals to ensure ATS compatibility.

How to Use It Effectively

1. Browse Templates by Style: Visit the Canva CV Creator page and filter templates by style (e.g., "Modern," "Creative," "Minimalist") to find a design that aligns with your industry and personal brand.

2. Prioritize Readability: Choose a template with a clean, single-column layout and standard fonts to ensure it remains easy to read. Avoid overly complex designs with multiple columns or graphics that could confuse an ATS.

3. Customize Your Branding: Adjust the color scheme and fonts to match your personal brand or portfolio. Ensure the design enhances your content rather than distracting from it.

4. Download as PDF: Once complete, download your resume as a "PDF - Print" file. This format preserves your design and formatting perfectly across all devices and is the preferred format for most job applications.

While many of Canva's design-heavy templates can pose a challenge for ATS, its strength as a tool for creating visually striking resumes is undeniable. By choosing a clean template and focusing on readability, you can find a compelling design to build upon, creating a document that is both beautiful and effective. For more on selecting the right layout, you can learn more about how to choose from the best free resume templates for your needs.

7. Etsy (Resume Templates Marketplace)

For job seekers who prioritize visual appeal and unique design, Etsy is not a single "best example of a resume" but a massive digital marketplace filled with thousands of them. It offers a departure from standardized online builders by providing professionally designed, downloadable templates created by independent artists and career specialists. This approach allows for a high degree of personalization and style, perfect for creative fields or for anyone wanting to stand out from a pile of generic-looking documents.

The platform's strength lies in its incredible variety and affordability. You can find everything from minimalist, one-page designs to comprehensive, multi-page portfolios. Templates are typically available for instant download in familiar formats like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Canva, making them easy to edit and customize without needing to learn a new software interface.

Why It Stands Out

What makes Etsy a compelling resource is the blend of professional design with user-friendly formats. Many sellers design their templates with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind, using clean, single-column layouts and standard fonts, while still incorporating a unique aesthetic. The seller review system also adds a layer of trust, allowing you to see feedback from other job seekers before making a one-time purchase, which is often less than the cost of a monthly subscription to a resume builder.

Strategic Insight: Filter your Etsy search specifically for "ATS-friendly" templates. These designs prioritize clean formatting that parsers can easily read, ensuring your unique design doesn't get rejected by automated screening software before a human ever sees it. This gives you the best of both worlds: great design and technical compatibility.

How to Use It Effectively

1. Search with Keywords: Go to the Etsy resume templates marketplace and use specific search terms like "ATS resume template," "modern resume," or "creative resume for [Your Industry]."

2. Vet the Seller: Before purchasing, check the seller's ratings, read recent reviews, and look at all the product images. Good listings will show you exactly what's included, such as a matching cover letter, references page, and different file formats.

3. Consider Your Tools: Make sure you choose a template compatible with software you already own and are comfortable with, whether it's Word, Pages, or Google Docs. For tips on working with a popular format, see our guide on the best resume templates for Google Docs.

4. Customize Thoughtfully: Once downloaded, replace the placeholder text with your own content. While aesthetics are important, the substance of your resume is paramount. For those seeking ready-made solutions, marketplaces like Etsy offer a wide array of options. Consider the broader principles of choosing effective design templates, even from a web design perspective, to select a resume template that stands out.

While you won't find a built-in content generator or keyword analysis tools, Etsy provides the artistic framework. It's an excellent choice for job seekers confident in their writing who want a visually polished document that provides a great first impression.

Top 7 Resume Examples Comparison

Transform Your Resume from an Example into an Offer

Throughout this guide, we've deconstructed numerous resume formats and strategies, from the ATS-optimized layouts for software engineers to the compelling narratives of career changers. The core lesson is clear: the best example of a resume is not a static document you find online but a dynamic, personalized marketing tool that you build. It's a synthesis of strategic structure and targeted content, meticulously crafted to align with the specific role you desire.

The examples from Zety, Resume.io, and Novorésumé demonstrate the power of clean, professional design, while templates on Canva and Etsy offer creative inspiration. However, inspiration without application is insufficient. The most effective job seekers move beyond simply copying a format and instead internalize the underlying principles. They understand that a great resume is both machine-readable and human-persuasive.

Synthesizing the Key Takeaways

To elevate your application from good to great, focus on three non-negotiable pillars that were evident in every successful example we analyzed:

• Structure for Skimmability: Recruiters spend mere seconds on their initial review. Use clear headings, bullet points, and ample white space to guide their eyes to your most impactful achievements. A chronological or hybrid format, as seen in many of our examples, is often the safest and most effective choice.

• Content Tailored for Impact: Generic resumes get generic results. The single most important action you can take is customizing your resume for each job description. This means integrating specific keywords, prioritizing relevant skills, and framing your accomplishments in the context of the employer's needs. This is where tools like CV Anywhere's JD Fit Checker become indispensable.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Vague statements like "improved efficiency" are forgettable. Tangible metrics like "streamlined a data-entry process that reduced manual reporting time by 40%" are powerful and memorable. Scour your experience for numbers, percentages, and concrete outcomes to prove your value.

Your Actionable Next Steps to a Job-Winning Resume

Viewing the best example of a resume is the first step; now it's time to build your own. Don't let analysis paralysis stop you. Your goal is to create a powerful master resume and then adapt it with precision for every application.

1. Choose Your Foundation: Select a clean, ATS-friendly template as your base. Avoid overly complex designs with columns, graphics, or unusual fonts that can confuse parsing software. A simple, elegant design projects professionalism.

2. Build Your Master Document: Using a tool like CV Anywhere's Smart CV Builder, compile all your experiences, skills, and accomplishments into one comprehensive document. Focus on writing strong, quantified, action-oriented bullet points for every role.

3. Refine Your Professional Brand: Your resume is a key component of your personal brand. It should communicate not just what you've done, but who you are as a professional. To truly make your resume stand out and reflect your professional identity, it's helpful to consider the principles of branding. Understanding these concepts can guide you in articulating your unique value proposition effectively.

4. Target and Tailor, Every Time: For each job you apply for, use the JD Fit Checker to analyze your resume against the job description. This will give you an objective score and highlight the exact keywords and qualifications you need to add or emphasize, closing the gap between your resume and the employer's ideal candidate.

Ultimately, the journey from seeing an example to crafting your own successful document is about transitioning from passive learning to active creation. The templates and tools we've discussed provide the framework, but your unique experiences and achievements are the substance. By combining a proven structure with meticulously tailored content, you transform your document from just another application into a compelling argument for why you are the right person for the job. This focused effort is what turns the search for the best resume example into a successful job offer.

Ready to stop guessing and start building a resume that gets results? Use CV Anywhere to create a powerful, ATS-friendly resume and tailor it perfectly for every application in minutes. Try CV Anywhere today and take the first step toward landing your dream job with confidence.