Looking for a free Google Docs resume template? Compare Coral, Swiss, Serif, Spearmint and Modern Writer below. Select a template name to see a large preview on this page, then open your choice in Google Docs to make an editable copy.
This guide also covers editing, downloading and fixing common formatting problems. Once you have a draft, learn how to tailor your resume to a job description so it highlights the experience and skills relevant to the role.
Before you start: Sign in to a Google account to save and edit your own copy.
Free Google Docs Resume Templates
Select a template to see its full preview below. Open your preferred design in Google Docs to make an editable copy. You can also select the image to enlarge it.
Coral Resume Template
Coral uses colored headings and one main column. Skills, experience and education follow beneath your contact details.
Before using: Replace the sample greeting with your name and a relevant job title.
Open Coral in Google DocsSwiss Resume Template
Swiss places section labels on the left and your details on the right. Bold lines separate skills, experience and education.
Before using: Update both name placeholders and replace the sample “Creative Director” title.
Open Swiss in Google DocsSerif Resume Template
Serif gives experience, education and projects the larger left column. Skills, awards and languages sit in a smaller right column.
Before using: Remove sections you do not need and check both columns after downloading.
Open Serif in Google DocsSpearmint Resume Template
Spearmint uses green headings and a matching top line. Its single-column layout places skills before experience and education.
Adding an introduction? See our resume summary examples with no experience.
Open Spearmint in Google DocsModern Writer Resume Template
Modern Writer combines typewriter-style text with pink accents. A black line separates your name from the main sections.
Before using: Check that longer company names and job titles fit neatly.
Open Modern Writer in Google DocsWhich Google Docs Resume Template Should You Choose?
Start with the design that makes your strongest qualifications easy to find. Use this comparison to narrow down your options.
| Template | Choose it if you want… |
|---|---|
| Coral | One main column with colored headings and space for skills near the top. |
| Swiss | Section labels on the left, with your experience and other details beside them. |
| Serif | A separate side column for skills, awards and languages alongside your work history. |
| Spearmint | A single-column design with green headings and a clear space for each section. |
| Modern Writer | A single-column design with typewriter-style text and pink accents. |
A student might give more space to education and projects. An experienced applicant can put relevant work first. Our guide to resume formats explains how to arrange these sections.
How to Make a Resume in Google Docs
Use these steps on a computer to turn a Google Docs resume template into your own resume.
-
Open a template
Choose a design from the gallery above and select its Open in Google Docs button. You can also visit Google Docs, open Template Gallery and choose a resume template. Sign in if prompted.
-
Make your own copy
If a copy screen appears, select Make a copy. If the document opens in view-only mode, choose File → Make a copy. A template opened through Google's gallery creates a copy for you.
Give the document a clear name, such as Jordan Lee Resume. When you are online, Google Docs saves your changes automatically.
-
Replace the sample text
Add your name, contact details, job history, education and skills. Replace every sample date and description, and remove sections you do not need. Use these guides if you need help:
- Introduce your relevant strengths with a short resume summary.
- Describe your roles and results in the work experience section.
- List your qualifications in the education section.
- Choose relevant skills for your resume.
-
Match your content to the job
Use the job posting and your research on the company and role to choose the experience and skills to emphasize. Keep your job titles, dates and qualifications accurate. Make a separate copy when preparing a different application.
-
Check the finished resume
Read each section and check your phone number, email address and dates. Remove any remaining sample text. Look for headings left at the bottom of a page, broken bullet points and text that is difficult to read.
How to Download Your Resume as PDF or Word
Keep your Google Docs file as the editable version. When you are ready to apply, download a separate copy in the format requested by the employer.
Which should you send? Follow the application instructions. If both formats are accepted and no preference is given, our guide to PDF vs. Word resumes explains how to choose.
Check the downloaded file
- Make sure headings, dates and bullet points stay in place.
- Look for a blank page or a few lines pushed onto an extra page.
- Check that your contact details and any links are correct.
- For a PDF, try selecting and copying some text to check that it contains readable words.
Use a clear filename, such as Jordan_Lee_Resume.pdf or Jordan_Lee_Resume.docx. See our guide to naming a resume file for more examples.
How to Fix Google Docs Resume Formatting
A longer job title, an extra bullet or pasted text can change your template's layout. Try the fix that matches the problem below.
Remove a Blank Second Page
- Select View → Show non-printing characters. The blue marks reveal spaces, empty paragraphs and breaks.
- Remove unnecessary empty paragraphs at the end of the resume.
- If you find an unwanted page break, click just below it and use Backspace or Delete to remove it. Check that your text stays intact.
If actual resume content continues onto the next page, review the spacing and length of your text. Keep the document readable rather than shrinking everything to fit.
Keep Headings and Bullet Points Together
For a heading stranded at the bottom of a page, click the heading and open Format → Line & paragraph spacing. Choose Keep with next so it stays with the text beneath it.
If one bullet splits across two pages, select that bullet and choose Keep lines together in the same menu. Apply these settings only where needed; applying them to large blocks can leave gaps on the previous page.
Adjust Fonts, Margins and Spacing
- Margins: Adjust the space around the page in the page setup menu. Our guide to resume margins explains how to leave enough room around your text.
- Fonts: Select the text and use the font controls in the toolbar. Keep body text consistent and choose from these readable resume fonts.
- Spacing: Use the paragraph-spacing menu to adjust the space between lines and paragraphs. Avoid adding repeated blank lines or spaces to position text.
Fix Formatting Changes After Downloading
If the Word version looks different, check its paper size, fonts and line breaks against your Google Docs file. A font unavailable in the app you open it with may be replaced, changing how the text fits.
Make corrections in your Google Docs original and download a fresh copy. For a PDF, check the page boundaries in Pages view before exporting again. Open the new file to confirm that the problem is fixed.
Are Google Docs Resumes ATS-Friendly?
Yes, a resume made in Google Docs can work with an applicant tracking system (ATS). This is the software employers use to manage applications. Your layout and downloaded file affect how clearly the system can read your details.
Use a Simple Layout
- Use familiar headings such as Experience, Education and Skills.
- Keep your name, email and phone number in the main document text, near the top. Avoid placing them in a header, footer or text box.
- Write important details as text, rather than putting them inside an image.
- Check the reading order carefully when using side columns or tables.
Check Your Downloaded Resume
- Copy text from the downloaded file into a basic text editor, such as Notepad.
- Check that your name, job titles, employers, dates and bullet points appear in a sensible order.
- Review any fields the application fills automatically, and correct errors before submitting.
This is a basic readability check. It cannot guarantee how every employer's system will read your file.
Coral, Spearmint and Modern Writer use one main column in the previews above. Swiss and Serif separate information into columns, so pay extra attention to the order of the copied text.
Use relevant resume keywords naturally to describe skills and experience you actually have.
Greenhouse's guidance on problems reading resume information lists columns, complex tables and contact details in headers or footers as possible causes of missing information.
Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word Resume Templates
Both can help you make a clear, professional resume. The main differences are where you edit, how you work offline and whether you need a paid desktop app.
| Feature | Google Docs | Microsoft Word |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free for personal use with a Google account. | The web version is free. The desktop app generally needs a paid license or subscription. |
| Where you edit | In your browser or the Google Docs mobile app. | In your browser, the desktop app or the Word mobile app. |
| Getting feedback | Share your document so someone can comment or edit with you. | Share through OneDrive to get comments or edit together online. |
| Working offline | Set up offline access while online and make your resume available offline. | The installed desktop app lets you edit a locally saved resume without an internet connection. |
| File formats | Download your resume as PDF or Word (.docx). | Save your resume as Word (.docx) or export it as PDF. |
Which should you choose? Use Google Docs if you want to start in your browser with a free Google account. If you already use Word and prefer its editing tools, browse our Microsoft Word resume templates.
If an employer asks for a Word file, you can still write your resume in Google Docs and download it as .docx. Open the downloaded file to check the layout before sending it.
MyResumeStar Resume Builder Templates
Prefer to use a resume builder? Browse the designs below, then open MyResumeStar to choose a template and add your details.
Where you edit: These templates open in the MyResumeStar resume builder. For a template you can copy into Google Docs, go back to the free Google Docs resume templates.
Scroll or swipe to see all 9 designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Google Docs resume templates free?
Yes. The five Google Docs templates featured above are free to copy and edit with a Google account. The MyResumeStar builder designs are a separate option.
Where can I find resume templates in Google Docs?
On a computer, open Google Docs, click Template Gallery and look for the resume templates. You can also use the copy links in our free template gallery above.
Which Google Docs resume template should I use?
Choose a layout that gives your experience enough room without making the text small. Coral, Spearmint and Modern Writer are options if you prefer a single-column layout. Whichever you choose, check the downloaded file before applying.
Why can’t I edit a Google Docs resume template?
You may be viewing the original template instead of your own copy. Sign in to your Google account and choose File → Make a copy, if that option is available. Edit the copy saved in your Drive.
Should I send a Google Docs link or download my resume?
Follow the employer’s instructions. For an application upload, download the requested file type, such as PDF or Word (.docx). If an employer asks for a Google Docs link, give them viewing access and check that they can open it.
Can I make a matching cover letter in Google Docs?
Yes. Use the same font, heading style and contact details to keep both documents consistent. Browse our Google Docs cover letter templates for a starting point.
