A copy-and-paste resume is a plain-text version of your resume for online forms and emails: no columns, tables or symbols, section headings in capitals, dashes for bullets, and one blank line between sections. Copy one of the templates below, replace every bracketed item with your own details, and paste it into the form. Keep a formatted PDF for uploads.
Job portals often ask you to paste your resume into a text box, and fancy formatting turns into broken characters there. A plain-text version avoids that and is easy for applicant tracking systems to read.
Plain-text resume template 1: experienced
Copy and paste (fictional template)
[YOUR NAME]
[City] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL]
SUMMARY
[Job title] with [X] years of experience in [field]. [One result with a number].
EXPERIENCE
[Job title], [Company], [City] | [MM/YYYY] - Present
- [Action verb] [task], [result with a number].
- [Action verb] [task], [result].
EDUCATION
[Degree], [Institution] | [Year]
SKILLS
[Skill], [Software], [Software], [Language: level]
Plain-text resume template 2: student or no experience
Copy and paste (fictional template)
[YOUR NAME]
[City] | [Phone] | [Email]
OBJECTIVE
[Year] [subject] student looking for a [part-time / internship] [role].
EDUCATION
[Degree], [School] | Expected [Year]
Relevant courses: [course], [course]
PROJECTS
[Project name] | [Year]
- [What you did] using [tool]; [result].
SKILLS
[Software], [Skill], [Language: level]
Plain-text resume template 3: short version for an email body
Copy and paste (fictional template)
[YOUR NAME] | [Job title] | [Phone] | [Email]
- [X] years in [field]; [main result with a number].
- Skills: [skill], [skill], [software].
- Education: [Degree], [Institution], [Year].
Full resume attached as PDF.
How to convert your resume to plain text
What not to copy from a template
- Achievements you did not reach: every number must be yours.
- Job titles copied from someone else's resume.
- Generic phrases such as "hard-working team player" with no example.
For an email application, see email CV application. To build a formatted version, use the free Word templates.
- Can I copy and paste a resume template?
- Yes, as a structure. Replace every bracketed item with your own facts; recruiters spot copied wording quickly.
- Why does my resume look broken when I paste it?
- Columns, tables and special bullets do not survive plain-text boxes. Use a plain-text version.
- Is a plain-text resume ATS-friendly?
- Yes. Plain text is the easiest format for tracking systems to read.
- Should I still upload a PDF?
- Yes, if the portal allows uploads; paste the plain text only where the form asks for it.
You can also build a formatted resume in the ArcPixel resume builder; creating and previewing is free, the PDF download is paid.
