Professional Resume Templates

Who a professional resume suits

A professional template is the safe default for regulated and client-facing work: banking, accounting, law, insurance, consulting, hospital administration and the public sector. It also suits anyone applying to a large employer, where the first reader may be an HR generalist screening dozens of applications an hour.

How to lay out a professional resume

Lead with a short profile, then reverse-chronological experience with the employer, title and dates clearly separated for each role. Keep every heading in one style, use one typeface family, and leave colour to a thin rule or your name. If the role requires certifications or licences, give them their own heading near the top; memberships and languages can sit at the end.

What to emphasise

• Scope: the size of the budget, team, portfolio or client list you were responsible for.
• The credentials the role screens for, such as CPA, CFA, PMP or bar admission, spelled out once.
• Progression within an employer, shown as stacked titles under one company heading.

Common mistakes

• Writing responsibilities (“Responsible for month-end close”) instead of results (“Closed the books in 4 days, down from 9”).
• Listing every software package you have ever opened. Keep the ones the posting names.
• Adding a photo, date of birth or marital status to US or UK applications, where they invite bias and can get a resume set aside.