29 Best Contemporary Resume CV Templates (New Modern Styles for 2021)

Looking for a job? The job market in 2021 is more competitive than ever. Competition for jobs is no longer local. It’s global. To compete you need the best modern resume templates.

In today's global market, you've got one choice. Build a stunning resume that captures attention. Here's one example of an attractive resume design for 2021 on Envato Elements:

You've got to stand out, beginning with your resume. Regardless of your experience or education, your resume must clear the first hurdle. 

In this job market, modern resume templates for 2021 are essential. New resume designs strive to match what recruiters are searching for. Contemporary CV templates take the hard work out of resume-building. You get pre-built, professional-grade content to work with. Find these new resume styles on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.

With these modern resume styles, you only have to swap the placeholder content with your own information. You'll still have advanced modern resume style accents. Working from a template takes the grunt work out of creating a resume and allows your record to speak for itself. 

Let's take a closer look at the best modern resume templates for 2021.

Where to Find the Best Stylish Resume Template Designs in 2021

The best new resume styles for 2021 can be found on Envato Elements. It's an all-you-can-download service for creatives. It features a vast array of stunning assets—graphic templates, projects, images, and more. For a low monthly fee, you can unlock unlimited access to the full Elements library.

In 2021, there’s no reason to waste precious time building your modern CV template from scratch. Instead, choose a template from Envato. Drop in your own content and approach your career move with greater confidence!

5 Best Contemporary Resume CV Templates (From Envato Elements 2021)

Ready to start? 

Here are a few of the best contemporary modern resume templates available on Elements for 2021:

1. Modern Resume Template 29 - New Style of CV

Great design transcends time, as this contemporary resume style vividly illustrates. Well-suited to endless careers and industries, this modern CV sample has a linear flow. Profile information leads to a brief biography, to set the stage for who you are as a person. Full customization options paired with a free help guide make this one of the simplest and best new modern CV templates for 2021 available.

2. Simple Resume Template Anata - Modern Resume Format 2021

Most contemporary modern resume templates are built around education and experience. Of course, this is great and very useful, but it doesn’t capture the full picture. Critical skills may not be readily associated with a certain position or academic program.

That’s where templates like this one come into play. One of the best modern resume styles you’ll see in 2021 is a skills-based resume. Highlight, rank, and score your skills and expertise in a vivid sidebar to capture attention at-a-glance.

3. Clean Resume Template Blair - New CV Design

“Simpler is better,” the adage goes. This also applies to the best modern resume templates. Let your story speak for itself.

The new Blair resume template is perfect for this. Flashy graphics are omitted here. Instead, you’ll find space for all your relevant details, contact information, and references. 

4. Clean Resume & Cover Letter Template - New Style of CV

This CV design template brings you both a refined resume and a matching cover letter. Both documents have matching sidebars for a profile photo, contact details, and reference listings. Insert your own content into the pre-built placeholders on the right side. In a few minutes, you’ll be packing a powerful one-two punch of both resume and cover letter to help you land your dream job in 2021.

5. Resume Design Templates.13 - Contemporary Resume Format

If you want to make a bold statement with your new resume style in 2021, you’ve found the perfect modern CV template. This fully editable Adobe Illustrator template jumps off the page with bright color accents.

Spend some time adjusting the colors, fonts, images, and more to make this contemporary CV design your own. Illustrator gives you a full arsenal of creative tools to build the best contemporary modern resume template.

Envato Elements (Design Without Limits)

Envato Elements gives you everything you need to come up with the best contemporary modern resume template. Without limits.

When you sign up for Envato Elements, you get unlimited access to thousands of contemporary resume samples. All are created by professional designers. Plus, you get fonts, icons, photos, and other creative design elements. 

You read that right. Everything in the Elements library is available to you, with unlimited downloads, for one low subscription price.

25 Best Trendy Resume Design Format Examples (From GraphicRiver for 2021)

Elements is great for unlimited downloads. But it isn’t the only option Envato has to offer. Let’s check out GraphicRiver, which is built on a pay-as-you-go model. You don’t pay an access fee. Instead, you pay each time you use a template. 

Here's a sample of modern CV templates for 2021 you'll find on GraphicRiver: 

GraphicRiver is great if you just need one template to revamp your resume into a modern CV template for 2021. Let’s dive in and check out 25 of the best modern resume templates for 2021 available on GraphicRiver:

1. Modern CV Layout 2-In-1

Looking for the best modern executive resume templates? You'll like this one. This modern resume template makes a bold statement. It follows a 2021 trend: no headshot. But if you prefer to add your photo, it includes the version as well.

This is one of our newest contemporary modern resume templates. You can edit it in Illustrator and MS Word.

2. Contemporary Modern Resume Template for 2021

This modern resume template is different from all other contemporary CV templates. If you want to grab the attention of recruiters and employers, try this one.

This modern CV sample has a unique design. It's one of our best modern resume template examples for 2021. The contemporary resume is well organized and easy to edit in Photoshop.

3. Minimalist Modern Resume Format

This is one of the best contemporary resume templates for 2021. The modern CV sample format follows a minimalist design with plenty of white space. The round headshot is its distinctive touch.

The simple modern resume format comes with a cover letter template. Edit it using Photoshop or Illustrator.

4. Corners - Modern CV Template

Black corner tabs in this simple modern resume template for 2021 focus attention on the content of your resume. The aesthetic is clean and minimalist, making both you and your resume look current, indeed. 

Edit it in Microsoft Word. It comes with files for Pages, Photoshop, and Illustrator as well. The entire package accommodates one- to three-page simple modern resume formats for 2021. It also includes a template for a coordinating cover letter.

5. High-Contrast - Modern CV Layout Design

If you want your professional experience to take center stage, then this is the resume template to consider. The section for experience is front and center in this resume design. The layout and color choice exude professionalism and sophistication. 

Using only free fonts, this template is fully editable in Photoshop and Microsoft Word. Also included is a cover letter template. This A4-sized resume template is print-ready at 300 DPI. Don't miss out on this modern resume template.

6. Minimal Resume - Best CV Design 2021

Sometimes, the minimalist look is best when building a modern resume format for 2021. This template from GraphicRiver meets this need with a clean layout built around white space.  The profile section at the top of the page sets itself apart with understated, yet catchy design.

This template includes a matching cover letter template to build a full career package to market yourself. It’s also super-versatile, supported in Adobe’s Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Word. 

7. Modern Resume Style + Matching Cover Letter

This simple modern resume template for 2021 can highlight your work experience and past projects. It helps turn a what would've been a lengthy resume into a short and sweet one-page document that packs a punch.

It also comes with a matching cover letter. So, you can quickly mention why you think you're a good fit for the job you're applying for. Be sure to explain what you bring to the company.

8. Resume/CV (2 Page) - Contemporary Resume Example

Often, columns are the best, and simplest, way to set apart two types of content. In this modern resume template, you’ll find a profile column on the left and a body column on the right. Use them to outline your knowledge and experiences.

Built for both the Adobe suite and MS Word, this contemporary resume format is a flexible template. If you’re looking for the best modern resume template examples for 2021, it’s hard to go wrong with this quintessential career catch-all.

9. Bold and Colorful Minimalist - New CV Design

Too many modern resume template examples in 2021 are bland and colorless. When you’re building your contemporary new-style resume for 2021, one way to set yourself apart is through the creative use of color. That’s where contemporary resume samples like this one come in.

This resume template delivers an unforgettable new style of CV in a compact package. It’s quirky enough to capture attention but professional enough to deliver the right message to a recruiter. 

10. Colorful Timeline Resume - Best CV Design 2021

Want to make your style even more distinctive. It’s hard to go wrong with this sleek and straightforward modern executive resume templates for 2021. It includes everything professionals expect in a top-level modern CV template. Even better, it’s easily customized and edited on a mix of software platforms. Word, Pages, Photoshop, and Illustrator all have their own templates in this package. 

11. Grayscale Bold Resume - Trendy Resume Template

This urbane new CV design style embodies the “less is more” approach. Sections are set apart by generous line spacing and whitespace breaks. That’s why it’s suited for early-career professionals who may not have many positions and degrees to list. This template transforms the experience shortage into something visually appealing.

12. Professional Resume Template, 4 Pages - Modern CV Layout Design

This option is built especially for creatives and academics. Traditional contemporary resume samples often don’t incorporate sections for academic experiences. But this one fills the niche handily. The usual experience, education, and reference sections are present to tell your story. Also, focus on the value-add offerings the template includes.

13. Blue and Orange - Contemporary Resume Example

This trendy layout is at the forefront of modern resume examples for 2021. The profile section features placeholders for a profile or biography, plus a table to feature your social media channels. 

Although it’s geared towards creatives, this contemporary resume template could serve any career. You’ll also find sections to communicate soft skills not confined to the normal education and experience sections.

14. Clean & Professional Resume/CV Template - Modern Resume Template

This modern resume template is sure to make you stand out. It's got colorful sections that draw the eye towards your contact information as well as your skills. There’s also room to include your headshot or your logo. The included cover letter template uses the same styling so you can easily build a matching set.

15. Modern Resume /CV (2Page) - Contemporary Package

This modern resume format is perfect for when you need to include a lot of details. Perhaps you've got an extensive education or maybe you've got plenty of experience. This contemporary modern resume template has you covered. The template is easy to edit and comes with a matching cover letter.

16. Simple Resume CV - Modern CV Sample

If you’re looking for a simple and clean resume template, this is a good choice. It’s only one page long, but has plenty of space to list your education, experience, headshot, skills, and contact information. Thanks to its simplicity, the modern resume template is easy to edit and comes in three different color variations.

17. Black-and-White and Bold Resume - Best CV Design 2021

Over and over, we’ve seen bold flashes of color splashed across contemporary resume examples. This template is suited for any career at any time—and it’ll save you ink, too. It’s all black and white here, even the optional headshot. 

With a cover letter template built-in and the ability to edit in Microsoft Word, you can build a professional resume in just a few clicks. You don’t need expensive and complex editing software or a high-quality printer to create a perfect resume in a flash. Any computer running Word with a laser printer will put you on your way.

18. 2 Page Modern Resume 2021 With Cover Letter

This clean and simple modern CV template and cover letter come in landscape and portrait orientation. Pick what works best for you. The files are easy to customize in Microsoft Word and even Microsoft PowerPoint. It's also compatible with Photoshop and Illustrator. 

Well layered modern CV templates like this are a dream to work with. Make that move to get your dream job now.    

19. Resume  - Trendy Resume Template With Cover Letter

This single-page resume template has a well-organized layout divided into three columns. This gives you ample space to include all the relevant information and you can easily customize this design in Word. It's great if you've been hunting contemporary modern resume templates.

20. Modern Resume Template Examples 2021

This modern resume template is a two-page resume document that's sure to impress. Best of all, this resume is editable in a variety of software platforms to ensure it’s entirely usable for you. Showcase your education, work experience and skills in a modern and stylish way.

Create a high-quality modern resume and matching cover letter. They'll create an excellent first impression. This template has all the information a hiring manager needs to call you in for an interview. 

21. Resume - Minimal Modern Resume 2021

Recruiters will have a hard time ignoring this attractive modern resume 2021 template! It has a colored column that’s perfect for highlighting relevant skills and your contact information. You can also include your logo or your headshot. The template can be edited in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Word and comes with a matching cover letter.

22. Professional Modern Resume 2021

Show your maverick side with this Professional Modern Resume 2021 template. Its creative layout is anything but ordinary. The work experience section uses a simple timeline. Rank your skills with simple infographics and show your interests with flat icons. Aside from the contemporary modern resume templates, it also includes a cover letter and references page. 

23. Modern CV Sample Format 2021

Modern CV templates like this one are the most eye-catching. Use it if you want to make an impression on recruiters.

The blocks and colors are a huge 2021 design trend. This modern CV layout is easy to edit using Photoshop.

24. Modern Resume Template 2021

This contemporary resume is for the fans of color. If you like a joyful and bright touch, try this simple modern resume format.

This is another of our newest contemporary modern resume templates. It's easy to customize using Adobe Photoshop.

25. Black and White Contemporary CV

The black and white design is always trending. This modern resume format has a distinctive touch: a pop of color and geometric lines.

You can edit this contemporary resume using Photoshop, Illustrator and MS Word. 

How to Quickly Customize a Premium Resume Template

Once you’ve found the perfect modern resume template with trendy design, it’s time to customize it. Luckily, you can quickly and easily customize it using Photoshop. For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll be using the VDN Resume template v3.1.

Here’s how to make a premium template reflect your style and personality in five easy steps:

1. Add Your Own Information

Start by opening up the resume template in Photoshop. Then, select the Type tool and click on any text on your template. Press and CTRL+A to highlight all the text, delete it, and then enter your own.

2. Customize Fonts

Customize the fonts used in the template. This is one of the best ways to make it stand out and look different. Select the Type tool and then select the text as you did in step 1. Then select a different font from the drop-down menu.

3. Use Different Colors

Another great way to make your resume stand out is use different colors than those originally used in the template. First, you’ll have to locate the layer that you want to customize. In this case, that layer is located in the Graphic folder. 

Click on the layer you want to customize to select it. Select the Custom Shape tool and then click on the Fill toolbar at the top. You can then use the color picker to change the color. Repeat this for every other layer you want to customize.

4. Swap the Photo

Swap the photo that came with your resume template by locating the appropriate folder (in this case, the Image folder). Double-click the layer called Change Image Here. Then, open your headshot in Photoshop and copy it to the window that just opened. 

Resize the image if necessary and close the window. When prompted, save the changes.

5. Export as PDF

The last step is to export your resume template as PDF. Do this by clicking on File > Save As and selecting the Photoshop PDF format. Click Save and you’re ready to send out your resume.

5 Best Resume Design Tips for 2021

The modern resume template examples for 2021 above will give you a great start to creating a stand-out resume. Yet, standards and conventions are always changing. To make sure you stay current, check out the latest tips on building modern resume examples in 2021:

1. Don't Use a Headshot

Most of the modern resume and CV templates you'll find today have placeholders for your headshot. This is completely optional. 

Prospective employers don't usually need you to send a photo along with the resume. In some cases, doing so is against the law! Find out what the conventions are in the job, industry, or location you're applying for.

2. Tailor Each Resume to the Job

Never send a generic resume. That's one sure way to get eliminated from the competition. Instead, take the time to study the job description and the employer. Then, customize your resume to make it a perfect (or near perfect) fit for the job. Use keywords and phrases that seem to be important to the company and emphasize parts of your track record that are most relevant to the position.

3. Write a Thoughtful Summary

The summary is the first thing, and sometimes the only thing, recruiters read. Take the time to make sure your summary accurately describes the breadth of your experience and expertise. The summary provides a total picture of what you've accomplished in as little as three sentences.

4. Match Your Claims With Proof

As much as possible, back your claims with proof. Evidence can come in the form of measurable results and positive feedback from customers. Don't just say you've got SEO expertise. Say you increased a website's organic traffic from 200 to 2,000 per day. Don't say you've got experience organizing fundraising events. Say you exceeded your annual fundraising goal of $1 million.

5. Direct the Eye to the Most Critical Content

Recruiters scan hundreds of resumes, including yours. Make it easy for them to see what's most important. According to experts, we tend to scan documents in an F-pattern. This means the most critical pieces of information go on the top-left part of the page, and the least important towards the bottom. If you're sending a printed resume, you can also use spot colors, borders, or icons to highlight parts of your resume.

5 Top Resume Style Trends for 2021

 Do you want to stay ahead of the curve with your resume design for 2021? I've included five style trends in 2021 for you to include in your contemporary resume samples:

1. Use Cool Colors 

Cool colors have a great effect on your job resumes. They portray trust and loyalty, which are both very important characteristics that employers look for. A little color goes a long way here, so don't feel the need to add color everywhere on your resume. Any type of blue color works perfectly here.

2. Create Different Sections

By creating different sections in your resume, you'll make the resume much easier to read. This also helps to keep your resume from becoming cluttered. Often, employers won't even read a resume if the page is too crowded and unorganized. 

3. Include Spacing 

The spacing that's around the different elements on your resume has a big impact on whether your resume is readable or not. Not having enough space between text or images crowds your design. Leave ample space around elements in your design to create a modern and stylish looking resume. 

4. Use a White Background 

The use of a white background makes your design look clean, modern, and professional. The white helps your text and any other colors that you use on the design pop out of the page.

5. Use Different Font Sizes 

By having varying sizes of fonts on your modern resume template, you can help create levels of importance for what's on your resume. It also gives your design a more three-dimensional look that modern designs need.

Discover More Stylish Resume Template Designs for 2021

The modern executive resume templates 2021 mentioned in this article are some of the best available on the web. But these might not fit your particular needs for the job you're applying for. 

If none of the 20+ modern CV templates mentioned have the design that'll be successful in your job hunt. Then check out even more high-quality contemporary resume samples in the articles below:

• 
  Resumes
  
  
  30 Best Visual CV Resume Templates for Artists & Creatives (in 2020)
  
  
  Brenda Barron


• 
  Resumes
  
  
  29+ Modern Resume Templates With Clean (Elegant) CV Designs (+ 2021 Video)
  
  
  Brenda Barron


• 
  Resumes
  
  
  35+ Best Professional Business Resume Templates (Company CVs 2021)
  
  
  Andrew Childress

Where to Find the Best Contemporary CV Templates in 2021 (Envato Elements vs GraphicRiver)

Both Envato Elements and GraphicRiver have modern CV templates with high-quality visual designs. They lead the pack in 2021. But should you use GraphicRiver or Envato Elements? And what are the key benefits of each?

1. Key Benefits of Envato Elements

Envato Elements is a premium subscription service. It gives you unlimited creative template downloads for a single monthly fee. That’s a powerful offer. 

Download as many trendy and modern executive resume templates you need to use at any time, as well as: web templates, fonts, add-ons, and graphic assets. There are many contemporary resume examples with on-trend designs available on Envato Elements:

2. Key Benefits of GraphicRiver (& Envato Market)

GraphicRiver is the leading digital marketplace for purchasing single-use graphics and visual assets. It’s part of the Envato Market suite of online marketplaces that cater to many creative digital asset needs.

When you need a modern CV sample template, to use right now on your project. Then head over to GraphicRiver to make a purchase and download your files. Here are the best contemporary resume templates that are currently trending on GraphicRiver:

Your Choice (What’s Right for You?)

Envato Elements offers a great bang for your buck if you're a:

• serial job hunter, always on the lookout for new career opportunities


• serial entrepreneur working on various projects


• digital marketer with many projects to promote


• graphic or web designer with many clients to serve

Sign up for Envato Elements now.

Or, if you just need a best CV design template, then head over to GraphicRiver to find what you need.

Common Job Resume Questions Answered (FAQ)

The resume creation process can be quite confusing. There are so many factors to consider when filling out your resume. And purchasing modern CV templates isn't enough to make a polished resume. That's why I've answered five frequently asked questions about job resumes:

1. What Do I Need to Focus on When Writing My Resume? 

Put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter. They're looking for someone to be honest and give them the most relevant information about you that pertains to the job you're applying for. As you write your resume keep this in mind and your potential employer will be happy to read your resume. 

Learn more about how to write a resume in this tutorial:

• 
  Careers
  
  
  The Secret to Writing a Simple Resume That Works (+Best Tips for 2019)
  
  
  David Masters

2. How Can I Make My Resume Stand Out From all the Other Resumes? 

Standing out from all the other resumes that employers read can be difficult. Here are a few tried and tested ways for you to change your resume to make an impactful first impression:

• use quantifiable metrics


• use color sparingly in the design


• add a short descriptive summary at the top of the resume

3. How Long Should My Resume Be? 

Ideally, you'd want your resume to be one page. All the information on your resume should be short and to the point. If you include all the necessary information on your resume and it's two or even three pages long, this will work too. The main thing to keep in mind is that employers don't want to see a bloated resume. So, cut out all the excess information that doesn't pertain to the job you're applying to.

This tutorial further explains how long a resume should be:

• 
  Careers
  
  
  How to Make Your Resume the Perfect Length (+To the Point)
  
  
  Charley Mendoza

4. Should I Use a Testimonial in My Resume? 

Your resume is all about selling yourself so a testimonial can help make you more appealing to your potential employer.  Make sure you get the permission of the person who gave the testimonial before adding this to your resume. Make sure to keep these testimonials short and concise.

5. Do I Need a Different Resume for Every Job I Apply to? 

Absolutely! You need to customize your resume for each job you apply to. You'll want to tailor your qualifications to each advertised job description. Include all the relevant experience that pertains to each particular job. This is one of the most important parts of filling out your resume so don't be lazy here!

Learn how to tailor your resume to the job in this tutorial:

• 
  Resumes
  
  
  How to Write (Perfectly Tailor) a Resume to a Job Posting
  
  
  Charley Mendoza

Learn More About Making a Great Resume in 2021

Are you still not sure how to create a great resume that'll help you land that dream job? Start by checking out our ultimate guide: How to Create a Great Resume (Ultimate Guide).

For even more tips and tricks to master creating a great resume, check out our tutorial selections below: 

• 
  Careers
  
  
  Top 15 Resume Mistakes (With Good vs Bad Resume Examples)
  
  
  Charley Mendoza


• 
  Careers
  
  
  The Secret to Writing a Simple Resume That Works (+Best Tips for 2019)
  
  
  David Masters


• 
  Resumes
  
  
  How to Effectively List Professional Skills on Your Resume
  
  
  Charley Mendoza

Go Design an Outstanding Resume Now for 2021

Now that we’ve looked at 25 of the best contemporary resume examples on the market today, it’s time to start building your own. Make your career search all about your record in 2021. Go forth and rock the world.

Choose one of the new contemporary resume templates from Envato’s incredible content library. Or choose one of the new resume styles from GraphicRiver. 

It’s more important than ever before to stand out above the crowd. And if you’re not a design professional, you’re no longer at a disadvantage, thanks to these professional templates. 

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Brenda Barron, Maria Villanueva, and Nathan Umoh. Brenda is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Maria is the Associate Editor of the Tuts+ Design channel. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.