The quickest way to create a resume or CV in Word is to start from a template: select File > New, search for resume or CV, pick a design, and replace the sample text with your own details. If you want full control over the layout, or a plain format that job application systems read easily, build it from a blank document instead. Both routes are below, followed by formatting tips and how to save the finished file as a PDF. The steps are for Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, with Mac and web differences noted.
Resume or CV: which one are you making?
You build both the same way in Word. What changes is the content and the length.
- Resume: A short summary of your experience and skills, tailored to one job. In the US and Canada it is the standard document for most jobs, usually one page early in your career and up to two pages later.
- CV (curriculum vitae): In the US, a CV is a full academic or research record that lists education, research, publications, teaching, grants, and presentations, with no fixed page limit. In the UK, Ireland, and many other countries, “CV” is simply the everyday word for a resume, usually about two pages.
If a job posting asks for a CV, check which kind it means. An academic or research role usually wants the long version; most other roles outside North America want a resume-length document.
Create a resume or CV from a Word template
- Open Word. On Windows, select File > New. On a Mac, select File > New from Template.
- Type resume or CV in the search box and press Enter. Word needs an internet connection to show online templates.
- Select a template to preview it, then select Create. A new document opens with sample text in place.
- Click a block of sample text and start typing. In many templates, one click selects the whole placeholder, so your typing replaces it.
- Delete any sections you don’t need, and copy an existing section if you need more entries of the same kind, such as a second job.
- Select File > Save As and save the file as a Word Document (.docx) with a clear name.
In Word for the web, you can browse the resume templates on Microsoft Create and open one to edit in your browser. Some templates there are marked as premium and need a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Before you commit to a design, look at how it is built. Many templates place text in tables, text boxes, or two columns. That looks good on screen, but some online application systems read it poorly. If you will apply through job websites, a simple single-column template is the safer choice. Microsoft’s resume template help page has more on finding templates.
Build a resume or CV from a blank document
- Select File > New > Blank document.
- Set the margins with Layout > Margins. Normal gives 1-inch margins; Moderate or Narrow gives you more room. Margins between about 0.5 and 1 inch keep the page readable.
- Choose a clear font and size on the Home tab. A common, easy-to-read font such as Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10 to 12 points works well for body text.
- Type your name on the first line and make it larger or bold. On the next line, add your phone number, email address, city, and a LinkedIn or portfolio link if you have one.
- Type your section headings, such as Summary, Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Apply the same style to each one from the Styles gallery on the Home tab, such as Heading 1. If you later change that style, every heading updates at once.
- Under Work Experience, add your job title, employer, and dates for each role. Then select Home > Bullets and list two to five achievements, each starting with a strong verb.
- Line your dates up on the right with a tab stop instead of spaces. Select the lines, open the Paragraph dialog from the small arrow in the corner of the Paragraph group, and select Tabs. Enter a position at the right margin (for example, 6.5″ with 1-inch margins on letter-size paper), choose Right under Alignment, select Set, then OK. Press Tab before each date.
- Add the rest of your sections. A CV continues with the academic sections listed in the table below.
- Press F7 on Windows to run the spelling and grammar check, then read the whole page once more yourself.
A thin line under each heading helps readers scan the page. Select the heading, then choose Home > Borders > Bottom Border. Our guide to applying a bottom border in Word shows how to change its style and color.
What to include in each section
| Section | Resume | Academic CV |
|---|---|---|
| Contact details | Yes, at the top | Yes, at the top |
| Summary | Two or three lines aimed at the job | Optional; often a research interests line instead |
| Work experience | Recent, relevant roles with achievements | Academic and research positions first |
| Education | Degree, school, year | Full detail, including thesis or dissertation title |
| Skills | Job-related skills and tools | Research methods, languages, technical skills |
| Publications, presentations, grants, teaching | Usually left out | Listed in full, each in its own section |
| References | Usually provided when asked | Often listed at the end |
Formatting tips that keep it readable
- Stay consistent. Use one date format, one bullet style, and the same spacing under every heading. Heading styles make this much easier than formatting each line by hand.
- Control the length. If a resume spills a few lines onto a second page, trim the text first, then reduce the space after paragraphs, the margins, or the font size a little. Our guides to changing spacing in Word and fitting a document on one page cover those adjustments.
- Keep white space. A crowded page is harder to scan. Leave some space between sections rather than filling every inch.
- Skip photos unless they are expected. In the US and Canada, resumes usually leave out photos. Some countries expect one on a CV, so follow local practice.
Save your resume as a PDF
A PDF keeps your layout the same on any computer. Keep the .docx version too, so you can update it later.
- On Windows, select File > Save As and choose where to save it.
- Open the file type list and choose PDF.
- Name the file with your name and the word resume or CV, such as Jordan-Lee-Resume, then select Save.
- Open the PDF and check that nothing moved.
On a Mac, select File > Save As, choose PDF from File Format, and select Export. In Word for the web, select File > Print > Print, choose Save as PDF as the printer, and select Save. For more options, see our guide to converting a Word document to PDF.
Tips for online applications and applicant tracking systems
Many employers load applications into an applicant tracking system (ATS) that pulls text out of your file. These habits make that step more reliable:
- Send the file type the posting asks for. If it says .docx or PDF, use that. If it doesn’t say, either is usually accepted.
- Keep key details in the main body. Some systems skip text in headers, footers, and text boxes, so don’t put your name or contact details only there.
- Use plain section names. Headings like Work Experience, Education, and Skills are easy for software and people to recognize.
- Match the job’s wording where it’s true for you. If the posting names a skill or tool you have, use the same term in your resume.
Common questions
Are Word’s resume templates free?
The templates you find through File > New come with Word at no extra cost. Some designs on Microsoft Create are labeled premium and require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Can I turn my resume into a CV later?
Yes. Save a copy with File > Save As, then add the sections a CV needs, such as publications or teaching. Keeping two files lets you update each version separately.
Why does my template look different after I type in it?
Pasting text from another document often brings its own font and spacing. Paste with Keep Text Only, or select the text and choose Home > Clear All Formatting, then apply the template’s style again.
Matt has been writing about Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products since the days of Windows XP. He spends much of his time writing for sites like WindowBrain.com