Modern Resume Template
A modern two-column resume template designed to pass every major applicant tracking system. Edit any section, switch colours, and download a polished PDF in under 3 minutes - completely free.
Best for
- ✓ATS-friendly - passes Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo
- ✓two column layout, 5+ colour variations
- ✓Editable in our builder - rearrange sections, switch fonts, customise
- ✓Export as high-quality PDF, no watermarks
Designer note: why Modern exists
Modern is probably the most-picked template in our library. Clean sans-serif, two columns, single accent colour, no fuss. If you're applying to a tech company, a startup, or anywhere modern marketing happens, this is where I'd start. It looks current without trying.
Why these colours work
Five accent options ship. Brand blue is the default and works for most people. If you're applying to a specific company with a strong brand colour, pick the accent that doesn't clash with it (avoid green if applying to a green-branded company, etc.).
Bullets that read well in Modern
These are the kind of lines this template's spacing and typography were built for. The note under each explains why the rhythm fits.
Shipped a recommendation engine that drove 23% of session-1 conversions on a 14M-MAU consumer app. Owned the ranking model. A/B tested against four baselines.
Quantified PM/engineer bullet, no decoration. Modern handles this rhythm better than any other template.
Built pika-cli, a TypeScript scaffolding tool for Next.js. 4.2k GitHub stars.
Modern's monospace inline treatment makes a tool name read as a reference, not a brag.
TypeScript, Python, SQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, AWS, Datadog
Comma-separated, no icons, no proficiency stars. Senior IC candidates get the signal right; junior candidates over-decorate this section every time.
How Modern compares to similar templates
Cross-links to the closest siblings in our library, with the actual differences spelled out - not just visually similar templates.
vs Clean
Clean drops the accent and the heavier headers. Engineers tend to prefer it. PMs and marketers tend to prefer Modern. Same skeleton, different personality.
vs Professional
Professional is the older sibling. If you're applying to established companies (banks, big consulting, B2B), Professional fits better. Modern is for startups and tech.
Questions about the Modern template
Is Modern safe for traditional finance or law?
Fintech, modern banks, crypto - yes. Bulge-bracket banking and white-shoe law - no, pick Formal Two. The cutoff is whether the firm has been around for more than 50 years.
How long should a Modern resume be?
One page for new grads. Two pages for IC-to-Senior-IC. Past two pages with leadership content, switch to Authority Two.
Will changing the accent colour break ATS?
No. The colour is text styling, not an image. All five options parse fine.
