20 Free Creative Resume Templates (Word & PSD Downloads)

When you see a posting for your dream job, it's easy to get excited about the thought of applying and landing it. But what if you don't have your resume created or up-to-date?

Nearly every job posting requires submitting a resume. So, when you see your next career opportunity posted but don't have your resume ready, you'll need to prepare it quickly.

That's why we use job resume templates. These templates have the content and style that you need to feel confident about your application and that help you land the job you've been waiting for.

I'm going to share 20 of my favorite free creative resume templates that I've found from around the web as well as some top-quality premium resume templates. Starting with these templates for creative resumes and customizing them will save you hours of work and ensure that you can apply before the job closes. We'll also look at some resume tips that help you showcase your best work.

Premium Job Resume Templates to Save Time 

My favorite way to skip ahead when building a resume is to use a creative resume template that's got all of the components of a successful resume. 

When you start with a creative resume template, you just drop in your details to complete the process. That's why I always start with a creative resume template.

Here's a quick look at some of the best resume templates in the Elements library:

Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download service for creatives. Elements brings a vast selection of creative resume templates (and other design assets). For a single flat rate, you get access to every PSD and Word resume template (and so much more) in Elements' library.

Here's a quick look at some of the best resume templates in the Elements library:

Let's take a look at 10 of my favorite creative job resume templates that I've selected for your use. 

We'll also examine some templates from GraphicRiver, a pay-as-you-go choice with many impressive choices as well. Make sure to check out GraphicRiver's best sellers to see the best of their selections.

Top Creative Resume Templates (Premium from Envato Elements)

Here are some of the top examples of premium creative resume templates from Envato Elements: 

1. Creative Resume

This clean and clear three-column style embodies the "flat" school of design perfectly. It's got all of the placeholders mentioned early in this article for rapid resume development.

2. Creative Resume & CV Template

For a more creative resume need, there are few options that are better than this one thanks to its beautiful illustrations and friendly graphics. The pseudo-timeline approach is a way to connect your past to the future.

3. Pro Resume 3

Another solid choice, this Pro Resume is a bold option from the Envato Elements library. This resume leans toward a personalized experience by leading with a profile photo and plenty of space for a bio. 

4. Colorful Creative Resume Templates

For both Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word, this option certainly doesn't try to fly under-the-radar. With a contrasting selection of colors and clean typography, your resume seems likely to be reviewed by a hiring manager.

5. Colorful Stylish Resume

This creative resume template has no shortage of colorful elements yet maintains readability thanks to its arrangement. You can use this template for both Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word to make a splash with the hiring manager. 

10 High-Quality Premium Creative Resume Layouts For Microsoft Word (GraphicRiver)

If you're looking for a premium resume template option, but only want a single use template consider one of these templates from GraphicRiver:

1. Professional Resume and Cover Letter Template

This attractive resume template comes in three different color versions and includes templates for both a resume and cover letter. The use of well-organized layers and layer groups means it's easy to customize on Photoshop. Not a Photoshop user? You can edit this template on MS Word and Adobe Illustrator as well.

2. Clean and Creative Resume

While all of its elements are fully editable and customizable, you'll probably want to keep the clean and minimalist design of this resume template. It comes with layouts for both a resume and cover letter. You can replace the placeholder content in both Photoshop and Microsoft Word.

3. Resume Bundle 2-in-1

If the budget is tight, you can't go wrong with this 2-in-1 bundle of professional and creative resume templates. All graphics and icons are included as well. Easy to personalize with either InDesign or MS Word, these templates come in size A4 and print-ready at 300 dpi.

4. Professional Resume - CV

With three different color schemes, this GraphicRiver selection offers plenty of bang for the buck. Particularly for those with multiple language skills under their belt, this resume gives you the chance to show your skillset.

5. Ansel Resume

Certainly inspired by the photographer of the same name, Ansel has a stark black-and-white style that makes it easy to read. The contrast and white space of this resume makes it a breeze to follow the information through your career.

6. Bold and Clean Resume

The Bold and Clean resume is a wonderful reminder that simple combinations of lines, text, and shapes are enough to craft an eye-catching resume. Lead with a brief bio in the "profile" section, followed by all of your experience in the placeholders.

7. Elegant Resume Kit

There are a ton of great choices in this selection, and creative resume template for Photoshop and Word is no slouch. It features easy bar graphs to fill in your skillset and show your core competencies. 

8. Clean Resume/CV

Creative and minimal are totally compatible design concepts, and this option for Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop and more is a perfect example of that. 

9. Monochrome Resume Template

This template relies on a clean layout rather than color to make an impact. But if you prefer to add a shot of color, you can easily do that by editing it in Microsoft Word, Mac Pages, Photoshop, or Illustrator. This is a complete set with templates for a two-page resume as well as a cover letter, which can double as a thank-you letter. On top of all that, the designer provides after-sales support.

10. Clean and Modern Resume Template

If you want to make an impression that's subdued, professional, and modern, this template is for you. Easy to use and customize, this template comes in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Microsoft Word formats. The accompanying instruction guide will help you make the resume your own.

Characteristics of a Great Resume

Unfortunately, there are almost always more job applicants than available jobs, even in a strong jobs market. Therefore, it's your job to build a resume that stands out from the crowd. 

You've got to be bold and stand out so that your job application will make it to the top of the stack and land you an interview. A job resume may not land you the job, but it's the first step to get your foot in the door and start the conversation.

Here are three key sections that most job resumes feature, and how you can fill them out to help you build the best resume possible:

1. Personal Section Characteristics

A personal section can give a brief background on your interests, mission statement, or other fast facts that help "put a face with a name" to the reviewer.

2. Experience Section Characteristics

An experience section can help you link your past job or volunteer opportunities to the position that you're applying for. 

One of the big challenges that we all face when applying for the job is crafting our career story so that it shows a proper fit for the current role. You'll want to write a new resume with each job application, and that requires writing your experience in a way that helps you showcase yourself correctly.

When it comes to experience, the most important part is connecting your experience to the job at hand. Focus on sharing skills that make you a good fit for the job you're applying for. For example, if you were a customer service representative in the past and are applying for a financial analyst role, mention any projects where you worked with financial data. 

3. Education Section Characteristics

The education section showcases your learning experiences, formal and informal, that make you the right choice for the job.

In your education section, you might not have an advanced degree or the perfect field of study. That doesn't mean that you can't list off the courses you've taken online, through other jobs, or on your own. Also, any additional courses you took while in a formal educational program that makes you an ideal fit are worth listing, such as a computer science course you took despite being a business major.

Applying for a job and articulating your experience is made easier when you start with a proper job resume template. 

Here's a tutorial that'll provide more information about listing your education on a resume:

• 
  Resumes
  
  
  How to List Your Education on a Resume (+Best Format Examples)
  
  
  Charley Mendoza

20 Free Creative Resumes Templates

When you don't have the budget for a premium template, you can use free creative resume templates to package your experience without the expense.

I've scoured the web for the best of the best when it comes to free resumes. The templates I've selected each bring something different to the table, but they all have the basic resume requirements.

1. Subtle Creativity. This free creative resume template for Microsoft Word has just enough color to set it apart from the crowd.

2. Artistic Flyer. This neat, two column resume for Microsoft Word helps you separate your details from your past career experiences. 

3. Boast Resume. Boast is a free creative resume template for Microsoft Word that's got skills placeholders that allow you to represent your acumen with charts. 

4. Ardent. I like resume templates that include a placeholder for your profile pictures, and Ardent includes that for personalization. 

5. What a Doll. A bright, colorful resume template like this one won't go unnoticed by a reviewer. The sharp color scheme and content placeholders make it good for showcasing your experience.

6. Clean Resume Template. This package has six different color schemes, so rest assured that there's an option that fits your sense of style. The minimalist approach has creative ways of crafting your experience.

7. Olympic Resume. With just a hint of accent color in five different shades, the Olympic Resume is a bold contender that doesn't sacrifice professionalism for a sense of style.

8. Yosemite Resume. Similar to the Olympic Resume above, Yosemite takes a less classic look, but still features all of the content placeholders that help you skip the lengthy work of building a resume.

9. Job Hopper Resume Template. Whether it's because you've moved around geographically or have sought diversity of experience, you might have had many roles in the past. The Job Hopper resume template is structured so that you can marry together all of those experiences in a way that puts your best foot forward.

10. Balanced Resume. Straight from Microsoft, the modern font choices and good use of whitespace make this a trustworthy and bold choice for your application. 

11. Bold Monogram Resume. The slick look of this monogrammed option as a free creative resume template for Microsoft Word seems like a strong contender as a standout.

12. Crisp and Clean Resume. Check out this beautiful choice designed in partnership with MOO for a professionally designed gratis resume.

13. Jack Porter Resume. The Swiss school of design inspiration is strong in this free Adobe Photoshop resume template.

14. Casey Resume Template. Here's a timeline style template for Adobe Photoshop can sequence all of your experience to make an impact.

15. Gagne Resume Template. Including a cover letter for a bonus, the Gagne is a bright and colorful choice perfect for a creative career.

16. Dark Minimalistic Resume. A timeline approach like this helps you link up all of your experiences to show why you're the very best candidate.

17. Contrast Resume. An easy-to-update resume like this colorful choice helps you prepare a resume for your dream job rapidly. Fill in the profile pic for resumes that count on your personality to set you apart.

18. Shiny Amber Resume. This free Microsoft Word resume template has a sunshine-inspired feel thanks to its beautiful bright hues.

19. The Headline. The headline for this resume is your name. Fill in the placeholder with your name to make a lasting effect on a potential employer.

20. Mr. Mint. Rounding out our selections, the mint colors in this resume are a nice change of pace and keep your resume friendly and easy-to-read.

Learn More About Resumes

In this tutorial, we tackled the daunting task of building a resume. But, as it turns out, it can be easy to build a great looking resume when you use free creative resume templates. The pre-built elements in a template mean that you need only update the placeholders with your details.

If you want more choices for creative resume designs and tips, the articles below are a great way to keep learning. Check out these tutorials to see other options and approaches for crafting your experience to your next employer!

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  Resumes
  
  
  How to Make a Great Combination Format Resume With Templates
  
  
  Charley Mendoza


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  Resumes
  
  
  22+ Creative Infographic Resume Templates (Designs for 2019)
  
  
  
  Sean Hodge


• 
  Resumes
  
  
  What Is a Functional Resume? Why You Shouldn’t Use It in 2018
  
  
  Charley Mendoza

Best Sources of Premium & Free Creative Resumes Templates

Save time by downloading premium templates. You can get unlimited downloads of creative resume templates from Envato Elements–including all the fonts, icons, and other design elements you want to make your resume stand out.

Or, you can pay only for the resume template you use from Envato's Marketplace, GraphicRiver. This is a great option if you're on a budget because each template is available for one low price per use.

And, of course, you can download the free creative resume templates I shared above, if you're strapped for cash.

How do you prepare your resume when time is tight? What tips would you share with other Tuts+ readers? Let me know in the comments section below if you've got a bit of career wisdom to share.

Editorial Note: Our staff updates this post regularly—adding new resume templates with the best, trending designs.