Securing the ideal resume layout for new grads can give you a critical edge when launching your professional journey. A polished, employer-friendly design helps you stand out without requiring graphic design expertise. Here are the best free resume designs for newly minted grads in 2025 that are intuitive and user-friendly, ATS friendly, and perfect for first-time job seekers.

First is the Minimalist Modern CV by Canva. It uses ample white space, soft, professional tints, and a well-structured layout that highlights your coursework and practical training. It is ideal for design, arts, and media roles and is completely customizable via browser.

Second is the Clean and Professional Template from Google Docs. This one is ideal for traditional business environments. It features a time-tested structure with distinctly labeled categories and a emphasis on competencies and scholarly results. It can be saved directly to your device.

Overleaf’s Two-Column Academic Template. Designed for those targeting STEM, research, or university roles, it separates skills from experience side by side. It assumes some familiarity with LaTeX but many universities provide templates to get you started.

Fourth is the Simple and Elegant Template from Zety. It offers a well-proportioned design with visual markers for details and a timeline for your education. It is mobile responsive and exports to PDF with a single click.

Fifth pick: Novoresume’s Design-Focused Resume. Ideal for design, media, or marketing grads, it includes a visual work gallery and a QR code linking to your LinkedIn. The basic tier grants one downloadable resume monthly.

Sixth is the Classic Template from Microsoft Word. Often underused, this template is reliable and widely accepted. It works well for finance, law, and engineering roles where tradition matters.

Seventh pick: Resume.io’s ATS-Friendly Template. Engineered to beat automated screening filters, it avoids graphics and uses standard headings like Work History and Academic Background. It’s great for https://backloggd.com/u/curriculum12 applying to large companies.

Eighth is the Academic CV from LaTeX Templates. If you are targeting scholarly positions, this template accurately showcases research output and presentations. It is open for individual academic use.

Ninth is the Horizontal Timeline CV from Template.net. This visually engaging format places your academic and professional milestones on a timeline. It captures attention quickly but should be used only in design or media fields.

Tenth pick: Hloom’s Single-Page Masterpiece. Designed specifically for students with limited work experience, it emphasizes transferable skills, coursework, and extracurricular activities. It comes with step-by-step suggestions.

All these templates are free to download and customize. Remember to match your resume to the role’s requirements, incorporate phrases from the job ad, and double-check for errors prior to application. Your CV is your first impression—make it count.