A blank resume template is an empty layout with the standard sections already set up: name and contact line, summary, work experience, education, skills, languages and certifications. Download our free blank template in Word, fill each section from top to bottom, and delete any section you cannot fill honestly. Use the dummy resume below to see what a finished version looks like.
Free blank resume templates to download
| Template | What it contains | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Blank resume | Empty sections and lines to fill in | resume-template-blank.docx |
| Simple resume (with prompts) | Bracketed prompts in every line | resume-template-word-simple.docx |
| No-experience resume (with prompts) | Objective, education, projects first | resume-template-word-no-experience.docx |
All three are single-column Word files that applicant tracking systems can read. They open in Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice.
Dummy resume: a filled-in example
Dummy resume (fictional)
Alex Example — Retail Supervisor
Springfield · (555) 010-0000 · alex.example@email.com
SUMMARY: Retail supervisor with 4 years in grocery stores. Cut weekend checkout wait times by about a third by rescheduling staff.
EXPERIENCE: Retail Supervisor — [Store], Springfield — 2023–Present · Lead a team of 8; weekly inventory; open and close the store.
Cashier — [Store] — 2021–2023 · 150+ customers per shift; zero cash discrepancies in 2022.
EDUCATION: High School Diploma — [School], 2021
SKILLS: Scheduling, POS systems, inventory, customer service
A dummy resume uses invented details so you can see layout and wording. Never send a resume with dummy data; replace every line with your own facts.
How to fill in a blank resume, section by section
| Section | What to write | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Name and contact | Name, city, phone, email, LinkedIn | No full address, no photo for US jobs |
| Summary | 2–3 lines: who you are, one result, the job you want | Write it last |
| Work experience | Title, company, city, dates, 3–5 bullets | Start bullets with a verb; add numbers |
| Education | Degree, school, year | Put first if you are a student |
| Skills | Hard skills and tools from the job ad | Skip vague traits |
| Languages | Language and level | Use B1, B2, C1 if you know them |
| Certifications | Name, issuer, year | Only completed ones |
Blank CV format vs resume format
In the US and Canada a resume is one page and focused on results. In much of Europe, Asia and Latin America, "CV" means the same kind of document and may run to two pages with more personal details. The blank template works for both; adjust length and personal details to the country, using our CV format by country guide.
Mistakes when using a blank template
- Leaving empty headings: delete sections you have nothing for.
- Keeping placeholder text such as "Company name".
- Adding tables or text boxes to the template, which can break ATS reading.
- Copying someone else's achievements.
- What is a dummy resume?
- A sample resume filled with invented details to show layout and wording. It is a guide, not something to send.
- Where can I get a blank resume template for free?
- Download the blank Word template on this page; it is free.
- Is a blank resume format the same as a CV format?
- Mostly. The sections are the same; length and personal details change by country.
- Can I fill in the template on my phone?
- Yes, with Word or Google Docs on mobile, though a computer is easier for formatting.
Prefer a guided form? In the ArcPixel resume builder you fill in fields and the layout is handled for you; creating and previewing is free, the PDF download is paid.