When you see a posting for your dream job, it's easy to get excited about the thought of applying and landing it. But what if you don't have your resume created or up-to-date? Creative resume templates can help.
Nearly every job posting requires submitting a resume. So, when you see your next career opportunity posted but don't have your resume ready, you'll need to prepare it quickly.
That's why we use job resume templates. These templates have the content and style that you need to feel confident about your application. They'll help you land the job you've been waiting for.
I'll share 25 of my favorite free creative resume templates for download that I've found from around the web. I'll also share some top-quality premium resume templates. Starting with these templates for creative resumes and customizing them will save you hours of work and ensure that you can apply before the job closes. We'll also share resume tips to help you create a standout resume.
Premium Creative Resume Templates to Save Time
My favorite way to skip ahead when building a resume is to use a creative resume template that's got all the components of a successful resume.
When you start with a creative resume template, all you've got to do is add your details.
Here's a quick look at some of the best resume templates from Envato Elements:
Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download service for creatives. Elements brings a vast selection of the best creative resume templates (and other design assets). For a single flat rate, you get access to every PSD and Word resume template (and so much more) in Elements' library.
Let's take a look at some of my favorite creative job resume templates from Envato Elements.
We'll also share the best resume templates from GraphicRiver, a pay-as-you-go choice, with many impressive options as well. Make sure to check out GraphicRiver's best sellers to see the best of their selections.
5 Top Creative Resume Templates (Premium from Envato Elements)
Here are some of the top examples of the best premium creative resume templates from Envato Elements:
1. Creative Resume
This clean and clear three-column style embodies the "flat" school of design perfectly. It's got all the placeholders mentioned early in this article for rapid resume development.
2. Creative Resume & CV Template
For a more unique creative resume or CV template need, there are few options that are better than this one. It's got beautiful illustrations and friendly graphics. The pseudo-timeline approach is a way to connect your past to the future.
3. Pro Resume 3
Another solid choice, this Pro Resume is a bold option from the Envato Elements library. This resume leans toward a personalized experience by leading with a profile photo and plenty of space for a bio.
4. Colorful Creative Resume Templates
For both Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word, this option certainly doesn't try to fly under-the-radar. With a contrasting selection of colors and clean typography, your resume seems likely to be reviewed by a hiring manager.
5. Colorful Stylish Resume
This creative resume template has no shortage of colorful elements yet maintains readability thanks to its arrangement. Use this template for both Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word to make a splash with the hiring manager.
Envato Elements (Design Without Limits)
Envato Elements has a compelling offer. For a single monthly price, you get access to thousands of creative resume templates. On top of that, you’ll also get access to other templates such as business cards, fonts, web mockups, and more. Download as many templates as you need, customize them to your needs, and use them in an unlimited number of job applications or other projects.
Sign up for Envato Elements and take advantage of everything this low monthly subscription has to offer.
15 High-Quality Premium Creative Resume Layouts For Microsoft Word & Photoshop (GraphicRiver)
If you want a premium resume template option but only want a single use template, consider one of these templates from GraphicRiver. These templates are easy to edit. Choose from thousands of available creative resume templates that are available on GraphicRiver:
With GraphicRiver, you buy the template you need individually for a single use. Take a look at some of our best-selling resume templates in Photoshop and Word format below:
1. Creative Resume CV Template
This creative resume template has a two-column layout. It's easy to separate your skills and contact information from the education and experience section. The template is easy to edit in Illustrator. It comes with a matching cover letter.
2. Creative Professional Resume Template
If you’re looking for a clean and professional template, consider this creative and professional resume. The template's got plenty of space to list your education, experience, and skills. You can also include a logo or a profile photo to make it stand out more. Edit the template in Photoshop or Illustrator.
3. Colorful and Creative Resume
Try this resume template if you want a colorful, yet professional creative resume design. This template comes in two color variations with space for a profile photo. Include your personal or summary statement and list your skills, education, and experience.
The template includes a matching cover letter. Customize it in Photoshop or Illustrator.
4. Professional Resume and Cover Letter Template
This attractive resume template comes in three different color versions. It includes templates for both a resume and cover letter. The use of well-organized layers and layer groups means it's easy to customize on Photoshop. Not a Photoshop user? Edit this template on MS Word or Adobe Illustrator.
5. Clean and Creative Resume
While all elements are editable and customizable, you'll want to keep the clean and minimalist design of this resume template. It comes with layouts for both a resume and cover letter. Replace the placeholder content in either Photoshop or Microsoft Word.
6. Resume Bundle 2-in-1
If the budget is tight, you can't go wrong with this 2-in-1 bundle of professional and creative resume templates. All graphics and icons are included as well. Easy to personalize with either InDesign or MS Word, these templates come in size A4 and print-ready at 300 dpi.
7. Professional Resume - CV
With three different color schemes, this GraphicRiver selection offers plenty of bang for the buck. This unique resume or CV template works well for those with multiple language skills under their belt. It gives you the chance to show your skillset.
8. Ansel Resume
Certainly inspired by the photographer of the same name, Ansel has a stark black-and-white style that makes it easy to read. The contrast and white space of this resume makes it a breeze to follow the information through your career.
9. Bold and Clean Resume
The Bold and Clean resume is a wonderful reminder that simple combinations of lines, text, and shapes are enough to craft an eye-catching resume. Lead with a brief bio in the "profile" section, followed by all your experience in the placeholders.
10. Elegant Resume Kit
There are a ton of great choices in this selection, and creative resume template for Photoshop and Word is no slouch. It features easy bar graphs to fill in your skillset and show your core competencies.
11. Clean Resume/CV
Creative and minimal are totally compatible design concepts. This unique resume or CV template for Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop and more is a perfect example of that.
12. Monochrome Resume Template
This template relies on a clean layout rather than color to make an impact. But if you prefer to add a shot of color, easily do it by editing it in Microsoft Word, Mac Pages, Photoshop, or Illustrator. This is a complete set with templates for a two-page resume as well as a cover letter, which can double as a thank-you letter. The designer also provides after-sales support.
13. Clean and Modern Resume Template
If you want to make an impression that's subdued, professional, and modern, this template is for you. Easy to use and customize, this template comes in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Microsoft Word formats. The accompanying instruction guide will help you make the resume your own.
14. Creative and Clean Resume Template
To leave a great first impression and present yourself in a professional manner, consider this resume template. It's got a very clean and creative design that can be used for corporate job applications. Edit the template in Photoshop. It comes with a matching cover letter.
15. Minimal Resume Template
This is a simple and minimal resume template that gets straight to the point with your education, skills, experience, and other important information. Include a profile photo to make your resume more personable. Customize it in Photoshop.
25+ Free Creative Resumes Templates to Download for 2020/2021
Before looking for free creative resume templates for Word on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always creative resume templates for download) at no cost to you.
Here's the deal:
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Every month Envato Elements offers 12 different hand-selected files, (fonts, presentations, videos, and more). Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now.
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Or try Envato Market for free. They offer seven handpicked monthly freebies. Log in with your Envato Market account to get this month's handpicked premium freebies.
When you don't have the budget for a premium template, use free creative resume templates to show your experience. If you don't find what you're looking for above we've got great professionally designed resume templates available for free download in these articles:
ResumesHow to Make a Photoshop Resume Template (Free Resume Download)
ResumesHow to Make a Resume Template in InDesign (With Free Template Download)
If you're still looking for free templates, I've scoured the web for the best of the best when it comes to free resumes. The templates I've selected each bring something different to the table, but they all have the basic resume requirements. Check out these free creative resume templates today.
1. Creative Resume Templates Free Download
This free creative resume or CV template for Microsoft Word has just enough color to set it apart from the crowd.
2. Free Template CV Word Gratis
This neat, two column resume for Microsoft Word helps you separate your details from your past career experiences.
3. Simple Modern CV Template Word Free Download
Boast is a free creative resume template for Microsoft Word. It's got skills placeholders that allow you to represent your acumen with charts.
4. Brown Creative CV Templates Free Download
I like free stylish resume templates that include a placeholder for your profile pictures. Ardent includes that for personalization.
5. Creative CV Templates Free Download
A bright, colorful resume template like this one won't go unnoticed by a reviewer. The sharp color scheme and content placeholders make it good for showcasing your experience.
6. Clean Free Creative Resume Templates
This package has six different color schemes, so rest assured that there's an option that fits your sense of style. The minimalist approach has creative ways of crafting your experience.
7. Olympic Creative Resume Templates (Free Download)
With just a hint of accent color in five different shades, the Olympic Resume is a bold contender that doesn't sacrifice professionalism for a sense of style.
8. Yosemite Resume Template CV Word Gratis
Like the Olympic Resume above, Yosemite takes a less classic look. But it still features all the content placeholders that help you skip the lengthy work of building a resume.
9. Job Hopper Resume (Creative CV Templates Free)
Maybe you've moved around geographically or have sought diversity of experience. Or maybe you've had many roles in the past. Either way, the Job Hopper resume template is structured so that you can include all those experiences in a way that puts your best foot forward.
10. Balanced Resume Modern CV Template Word Free Download
Straight from Microsoft, here's a unique modern creative CV or resume template in Word for free download. The modern font choices and good use of white space make this a trustworthy and bold choice for your application.
11. Bold Monogram Creative Resume Templates Free Download
The slick look of this monogrammed option as a free creative resume or CV template for Microsoft Word seems like a strong contender as a standout.
12. Clean Creative CV Templates Free Download
Check out this beautiful choice designed in partnership with MOO for a professionally designed gratis resume.
13. Porter Creative CV Templates Free
The Swiss school of design inspiration is strong in this free Adobe Photoshop resume template.
14. Casey Modern CV Template Word Free Download
Here's a timeline style template for Adobe Photoshop can sequence all your experience to make an impact.
15. Gagne Creative CV Templates Free
Including a cover letter for a bonus, the Gagne is a bright and colorful choice perfect for a creative career.
16. Dark Minimalistic Creative Resume Templates Free
A timeline approach like this helps you link up all your experiences to show why you're the very best candidate.
17. Contrast Creative Resume Templates Word Free Download
An easy-to-update resume like this colorful choice helps you prepare a resume for your dream job rapidly. Fill in the profile pic for resumes that count on your personality to set you apart.
18. Amber Free Creative Resume Templates Word
This free Microsoft Word resume template has a sunshine-inspired feel thanks to its beautiful bright hues.
19. Headline Free Creative Resume Templates Word Doc
The headline for this resume is your name. Fill in the placeholder with your name to make a lasting effect on a potential employer.
20. Mint Creative Resume Templates Word Document
The mint colors in this resume are a nice change of pace. They keep your resume friendly and easy-to-read.
21. Purple Modern CV Template Word Free Download
The purple shades in this free stylish resume template are a nice way to stand out from the usual black and gray shades that many candidates use.
22. Sophisticated Free Stylish Resume Templates
Try this resume template if you’re applying for a job in a high-end industry. It's got a more sophisticated creative resume design.
23. "On Point" Creative Resume Templates Free Download
As the name implies, this resume is on point with traditional layout and a nice profile photo in the header.
24. Vintage Rose Free Stylish Resume Templates
This is another creative resume that stands out with its color scheme. Customize it in Word if you’re not a fan of the subtle pink shades.
25. Personal Branding Free Creative Resume Templates
If you’re fresh out of college or if you’re changing industries and need to highlight your traits, consider this resume template.
Quickly Customize a Premium Creative Resume Template in Word
Once you've got the perfect resume template, it’s time to customize it. Here’s how to quickly customize a premium creative resume template. For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll be using the premium template Creative Resume/CV template from Envato Elements.
This template has a professional look and feel. Use it for any type of job application. Let's start customizing it:
1. Replace Content
The first step to customizing your resume template is to replace the content with your own. To do this, open up your resume template in Word and then double-click on any text area.
Press CTRL+A to select all the text, delete it, and enter your own content. Repeat this process for all other text boxes in your template.
2. Customize Fonts
As you’re editing the text, you can customize the fonts at the same time. Simply select your text and then choose a new font from the drop-down menu on the Home ribbon.
3. Customize Colors
Customizing colors is another great way to make your resume stand out. Simply click on a colored area, right-click, and select the Format Shape option. Then, choose your preferred color for the solid fill option.
4. Customize Cover Letter
When you’re done customizing your resume, repeat the same steps above to customize the matching color letter. Open it up in Word and then work on replacing the content and customizing fonts and colors.
5. Export Your Files
When you’re done customizing both the resume and the cover letter, the last step is to save and export your files. It’s a good idea to export them to PDF format by going to File > Save as and selecting the PDF option.
How to Customize Creative CV Templates in Adobe Photoshop
Next, let's take a look at customizing creative resume templates in Adobe Photoshop. This popular software and file format can be a wonderful format for your next resume design. Here are a collection of quick tips to help you jump in and get your creative cv templates customized and completed in a snap.
In this demonstration, we'll use the following premium template. Besides a Photoshop PSD file, it also comes with files for Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Word.
Let's get started:
1. Photoshop Layers Are Essential
Layers are an essential and powerful part of working in Adobe Photoshop. To view your layers, go to Window > Layers within the software. This opens up the Layers panel, as shown below.
Here, we can sort through the different parts of our resume design. Notice, for example, how the text is all in a folder titled "Text". We can select individual parts of the design to customize, edit, and move them in the composition. Take note of this, as you'll likely need to refer to this content throughout the design process.
2. Edit Text With the Type Tool
To edit the text in your creative resume templates, turn to the Type tool. It's located in your Tools panel, highlighted below.
With the Type tool active, simply click on the text you'd like to edit. Then, type and delete as you would in most word processing software.
If you have trouble selecting the text, turn to your Layers panel. There, select the appropriate text layer. Double click on the layer thumbnail to select the type. Then, proceed to edit via this alternative method.
3. Customize Fonts With the Character Panel
But what if you want to change up the fonts? Thankfully, that's simple too. Open up your Character Panel by going to Window > Character.
From this panel, we can select new attributes for our text. Remember, our Layers panel is very important. Make sure to select the applicable text layer first. Then, make changes to the text in the Character panel. If you don't select the right layer, your changes won't apply as intended.
4. Move and Adjust Design Elements With the Move Tool
We can move parts of our layout design here in our resume template too. In this example, let's move the large, green polygon to a different place in our composition.
All we need to do is select the right layer in our Layers panel, as shown below. With this layer selected, we can then turn to the Move tool.
With the Move tool selected, click and drag to move the content to a new place in our layout.
5. Change and Adjust Colors
We can also alter the colors in our design. Let's take our green polygon and change its color to something else.
Keep the same layer selected. Then, go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation at the top of the software. This opens up our Hue/Saturation window, as shown below.
Drag the Hue slider to change the overall color of the shape. We can also change up how saturated or light/dark the color is from this window.
To preview your changes, make sure to toggle preview on. Once you're happy with your selection, click OK.
5 Creative Resume Tips for Awesome Results in 2020/2021
Looking for some design tips to help add some excitement to your resume? It's important to find a balance between visually interesting and appropriate for the situation at hand. Check out these design tips for inspiration as you work on your next creative resume design:
1. Visuals Are Highly Communicative
Design is a lot more than "looking pretty." Visuals have preconceived associations, and we can use this to our advantage. Your color choices, font choices, and the overall aesthetic can help craft a narrative as you present your skill set.
What keywords best describe the way you want to present yourself? Creative? Engaging? Responsible? Think about what words best describe the narrative you aim to craft. This can help you narrow down the perfect aesthetic for your resume.
2. Have Fun, But Keep It Professional
Design can be a lot of fun. It can be really tempting to go all out with bells and whistles, especially when it comes to creative resume templates.
But don't forget that this is a professional situation—and your resume is often your first impression. You want to put your best foot forward. This doesn't mean that you can't turn to creative CV templates that are unconventional or quirky. It means that you need to be cautious and aware of your choices.
When you go in for a job interview, how you dress matters. The same applies to your resume. This is an opportunity to show that you a desirable, professional candidate. Things like distracting visual elements or a disorganized layout can turn a fun design into an unprofessional one.
3. Consistency Is a Professional Approach
One of the simplest ways that we can craft a professional aesthetic is to be visually consistent. This means, for example, your resume and your cover letter could match. This makes them look visually related.
If you've got a pre-existing professional brand, consider using it in your resume and cover letter. For example, your business card could match these parts of your professional brand too. This could extend to your website, social media presence, and more.
4. Remember Your Target Audience
This might seem like strange advice, at first. What target audience? Well, your target audience is your potential employer. Think about what the position calls for and what an ideal candidate might look like on paper. A creative resume can help distinguish you from the rest of the applicants. But if your approach isn't appropriate, it might prove to be a detriment.
Like we said earlier, you wouldn't show up to an interview in your pajamas. Your resume is similar. It should be dressed for the occasion and specifically tailored to it too. Visually showcase key content relevant to the position. Don't distract with bells and whistles. Let your creative approach help your content shine in a strategic way—not in a superficial or irrelevant way.
5. A Photograph Can Add a Personal Touch
Your resume is often your first—and maybe only—chance to make an impression. We want to be seen, remembered, and contacted. This is certainly a challenge when it comes to choosing the right design for your resume.
In some cases, a photograph can add a personal touch. A face can prove to be a lot more personable than text. This isn't necessarily a rule, or appropriate for every resume. Just as a profile photo can be personable on social media, it can work in this scenario, too.
3 Characteristics of a Great Resume
Unfortunately, there are almost always more job applicants than available jobs, even in a strong job market. So, it's your job to build a resume that stands out from the crowd.
You've got to be bold and stand out so that your job application will make it to the top of the stack and land you an interview. A job resume may not land you the job, but it's the first step to get your foot in the door and start the conversation.
Here are three key sections that most job resumes feature, and how you can fill them out to help you build the best resume possible:
1. Personal Section Characteristics
A personal section can give a brief background on your interests, mission statement, or other fast facts that help "put a face with a name" to the reviewer.
2. Experience Section Characteristics
An experience section can help you link your past job or volunteer opportunities to the position that you're applying for.
When applying for the job we all face the challenge of crafting our career story so that it shows a proper fit for the current role. Write a new resume with each job application. That requires writing your experience in a way that helps you showcase yourself correctly.
When it comes to experience, the most important part is connecting your experience to the job at hand. Focus on sharing skills that make you a good fit for the job you're applying for. For example, if you were a customer service representative in the past and are applying for a financial analyst role, mention any projects where you worked with financial data.
3. Education Section Characteristics
The education section showcases your learning experiences, formal and informal, that make you the right choice for the job.
In your education section, you might not have an advanced degree or the perfect field of study. That doesn't mean that you can't list off the courses you've taken online, through other jobs, or on your own. Also, list any extra courses you took while in a formal educational program that makes you an ideal fit. For example, that computer science course you took despite being a business major.
Applying for a job and showing your experience is even easier when you start with a proper job resume template.
Here's a tutorial that'll provide more information about listing your education on a resume:
Find More Creative Resume Templates
The templates shared in this post are just a small selection of what’s available on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. If you want to see even more amazing creative resume templates to download, check out these roundups below:
Templates25 Awesome Resume CV Templates (With Beautiful Layout Designs 2020)
Resumes35+ Best Professional Business Resume Templates (Company CVs 2020)
Resumes30 Best Visual CV Resume Templates for Artists & Creatives (in 2020)
Benefits of Using Professional Templates
There's no doubt that there are a lot of free resume templates out there. But a professional premium template has some advantages and benefits over the free templates. Here are just a few of them:
1. More Customization Options
Professional templates offer a lot more customization options than free resume templates. With a professional template, you can tweak every section, color, font, and any other part of your resume as you like. Make it fit your personality as well as the job you’re applying for.
2. Come With Extras
As you’ve seen above, professional resume templates often include extra files such as matching cover letters. In some cases, they even come with matching business card designs. This means you've got everything you need to leave a professional impression on your employer in one package. Don't worry about trying to piece together various free templates.
3. Greater Design Variety
Lastly, professional resume templates offer more design variety. You’re not limited to the same layout as every other template as is the case with many free resume templates.
4. You Save Time
Both Envato Elements and GraphicRiver give you access to top creative resume templates. You get a head start on your next resume because the design is already done. Plus, there are placeholders for each type of content to guide you through the resume creation process.
5. Impress Hiring Managers
Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes. That why you need to get your resume noticed. Because the unique CV/resume templates from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver use the latest and best design trends you'll end up with a creative resume that stands out.
Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use)
Envato Elements is a unique service. It's a flat-rate subscription that includes thousands of great resume/CV templates for a single flat-rate price.
Sign up for Envato Elements. You'll get access to thousands of unlimited use graphics and templates, from web themes to creative resume templates for Word, and more—all for one low price.
Envato Elements vs. GraphicRiver: Which One Is Right For You?
When you use a premium professional resume template such as those available through Envato Elements of GraphicRiver, you come out ahead. But which one should you choose?
Use the sections below to decide which premium templates are best for you:
1. Key Benefits of Envato Elements
The main benefit of Envato Elements is that you can download as many items as you want for a single monthly fee. That’s a powerful offer. It includes not only resume templates but also stock photos, fonts, icons, and various other mockups and templates for all your creative needs.
2. Key Benefits of GraphicRiver
GraphicRiver has plenty of premium design assets and elements that you can buy on an individual basis. This includes resume templates as well as other items like icons, logos, and other mockups. GraphicRiver is the best choice if you want to buy individual items and don’t need design assets on a regular basis.
Your Choice (What's Right for You?)
With all the benefits out of the way, you might be wondering which marketplace is the best choice for you. If you’re looking for ongoing design assets because you’re a designer or a serial entrepreneur launching new brands regularly, the value of Envato Elements is hard to beat. Sign up for Envato Elements now.
But, if you just need a single resume template or other creative asset, head on over to GraphicRiver (or another Envato Market site) and buy exactly what you need.
Learn More About Resumes
Creating a great looking resume is easy when you start with a free creative resume template. The pre-built elements in a template mean that you need only update the placeholders with your details.
If you want to learn more about how to create a great resume, the articles below are a great way to keep learning. Check out these tutorials to see other options and approaches for crafting your resume!
ResumesHow to Make a Great Combination Format Resume With Templates
Resumes30+ Best Infographic Resume CV Templates (Creative Examples for 2020)
CareersTop 15 Resume Mistakes (With Good vs Bad Resume Examples)
Create a Great Resume With These Premium & Free Creative Resumes Templates Today
Save time by downloading premium resume templates. You'll get unlimited downloads of the best creative resume templates from Envato Elements–including all the fonts, icons, and other design elements you need to make your resume stand out.
Or, buy an individual resume template from Envato's Marketplace, GraphicRiver. This is a great option if you're on a budget because each template is available for one low price per use.
And, of course, you can download the free creative resume templates I shared above, if you're strapped for cash.
Why not download your favorite creative resume template today and get started on your next resume?
Also, how do you prepare your resume when time is tight? What tips would you share with other Tuts+ readers? Let me know in the comments section below if you've got a bit of career wisdom to share.
Editorial Note: Our staff updates this post regularly—adding new resume templates with the best, trending designs.
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