Simple resume format: a step-by-step walkthrough with examples
A simple resume format is a single-column document. Your name and one contact line go at the top, followed by a short summary, your work experience with the newest job first, then skills and education. It uses standard section headings and one plain font. You can build it in Word from a blank page.
By I start Monday team · Published October 25, 2026 · 9 min read
You want a resume that is easy to scan and keeps its sections in a clear order. You also want to build it in Word or Google Docs without wrestling a template. A simple resume format aims for this: one column, standard section headings, one plain font, and your strongest evidence near the top of the page.
If your work history is already written down somewhere, you can build the first version from it, and each tailored copy after that starts from the same base. The six steps below build a reverse-chronological resume, with your newest job first.
Set up a one-column page in Word
Open a blank document and skip the template gallery. Set the same margin on all sides. Choose one readable font such as Calibri, Arial, or Georgia, and keep body text at one size throughout. Make section headings bold or all caps in the same font. That is the whole simple resume format in Word: no text boxes, no layout tables, no columns.
For example: "Margins 0.75 inch on all sides; body text Calibri 11; section headings Calibri 11 bold in all caps; name at the top in Calibri 12 bold."
The mistake: downloading a two-column template with a sidebar for skills. A single column keeps every section in one reading order, which you can check with the plain-text test in the last step. The ATS-friendly resume formatting guide covers layout elements in more detail.
Put your name and one contact line in the body of the page
Type your name on the first line. On the second line, put your city and state, phone, email, and LinkedIn URL, separated by vertical bars. Keep both lines in the main body of the page. You can leave out your street address and list only your city and state.
Example contact line: "Jordan Lee | Columbus, OH | jordan.lee@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jordanlee", with your phone number added to the same line.
The mistake: putting contact details inside Word's Header field. Keep them in the main body with the rest of your content.
Write a three-line summary aimed at one job title
Under the contact line, write two or three sentences. Name the role you want, your relevant experience, and one or two skills the posting asks for, plus a single proof point. Write it for the specific posting in front of you. If you are unsure what a role's core skills are called, look up the occupation on O*NET OnLine. Its profiles use standard wording for tasks and skills that you can borrow.
Example: "Accounts payable specialist with 6 years in manufacturing finance. Run three-way match in SAP, manage vendor records across several plants, and helped shorten month-end close from 8 days to 5."
The mistake: an objective statement like "Seeking a challenging position where I can grow my skills." It only describes what you want from the employer. Replace it with evidence of what you can do. To match each version to a posting, follow the steps in tailoring your resume to the job description.
List your experience newest first under plain headings
Use the headings Experience, Skills, and Education, in that order for most people. Recent graduates can move Education above Experience. For each role, put the job title, employer, and city on one line. Add a right tab stop so the dates line up at the right margin. Write dates the same way every time, as month and year to month and year.
Example role line: "Accounts Payable Specialist, Harmon Tool Co., Dayton, OH", with the date range aligned to the right and the bullets below.
If you have a break between jobs, list your roles honestly and address the gap briefly. The guide on how to explain an employment gap has short wording that works. If you are switching fields, a CV for a career change may put the skills section higher on the page. The one-column structure stays the same.
The mistake: creative headings such as "Where I've Made an Impact" or "My Professional Journey." Plain labels like Experience, Skills, and Education tell a reader exactly what each section holds.
Write bullets that start with a verb and end with a result
Give recent roles three to five bullets and older roles one or two. Every bullet follows the same pattern: an action verb, what you did, how big it was, and what changed because of it. Keep each one to one or two lines. Resume bullet points that get read has more patterns by role type.
Example bullet: "Trained 4 new hires on SAP invoice entry; all were processing invoices without supervision within 3 weeks."
The mistake: duty statements that begin with "Responsible for." These repeat the job description you were handed. A reader wants to know what you did with that job.
CHECK YOUR MATCH RATIO
Before you save, pick the 5 requirements the posting lists first or repeats most. Count how many of them appear, in the posting's own wording, in your summary or in your most recent role's bullets. Divide that count by 5 to get your match ratio. For each missing requirement you can honestly claim, add a bullet with evidence. If several are ones you cannot honestly claim, tailor the resume further or ask yourself whether the role fits.
Save two files and run a plain-text test
Save one .docx copy and one PDF copy, and include your name and the target role in both file names. Then open the Word file, select everything, and paste it into Notepad or a plain-text email. Check that your sections come through in the right order with no missing lines or strange characters. If they don't, simplify the formatting in that spot and test again. Upload whichever file type the posting asks for.
Example file name: "Jordan-Lee-Accounts-Payable-Resume.pdf"
The mistake: sending a file named "resume final v3.docx", or using decorative bullet symbols that turn into question marks or boxes in the paste test. Use Word's standard round bullet.
| Step | What to do | The mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Set up a one-column page in Word | Blank document, one readable font, the same margin on all sides | Two-column templates with sidebars or text boxes |
| Add your name and contact line | Name, then city, phone, email, LinkedIn on one line in the body | Putting contact details in Word's Header field |
| Write a three-line summary | Target title, relevant experience, matching skills, one proof point | A generic objective about what you want |
| List experience newest first | Standard headings, one title and employer line, consistent dates | Creative headings or mixed date styles |
| Write result-focused bullets | Verb, action, scale, result; three to five for recent roles | Duty lists that start with Responsible for |
| Save and test the file | Save .docx and PDF, paste into plain text to check order | Decorative bullet symbols and vague file names |
Common mistakes
- Shrinking the font or the margins to force everything onto one page. Cut older bullets first.
- Adding a photo, skill bars, or icons. They take up space and do not show evidence of what you have done.
- Sending the same version to every posting. Change the summary and the bullets for your most recent role each time.
- Mixing formatting styles, such as a bold job title in one role and an italic one in the next. Pick one style and use it everywhere.
- Keeping full detail for roles older than about ten years. One line per role, or a short Earlier Experience section, is enough for most readers.
Try it
Search for roles and build a tailored resume and cover letter for the ones that match. Start on I start Monday
Frequently asked questions
Should a simple resume be one page or two?
One page works when your relevant evidence fits on it. Two pages are fine when the second page holds real, relevant evidence such as recent roles, licenses, or projects. Avoid a half-filled second page. Either tighten your older roles until everything fits on one page, or fill two pages with material that matters.
Can I use a free Word resume template?
Yes, as long as it is a single column built from regular paragraphs. Some templates hold their layout together with tables or text boxes. Click into the template to check. If the text sits inside boxes or grid cells, rebuild the resume on a blank page.
Is a PDF or a Word file better for job applications?
Start with the posting. If it names a file type, use that one. If it says nothing, keep both a text-based PDF and a .docx version ready so you can upload whichever file the form accepts.
Will a simple format look too plain for design or marketing roles?
For the application upload, keep the plain format. Show your design skills through a portfolio link in your contact line and through results in your bullets. If you are in direct contact with a recruiter, you can send a designed version as a second file.
More on Resume
- Customer Service Skills for a Resume: Practical Examples
- A resume for hourly and trade jobs, built the way those employers actually screen
- How to tailor your resume to a job description