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How to Find the Perfect Resume for You on Canva

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The job market is tough, and making resumes is worse. Searching for a job can be a job unto itself. Which is why you need to have Canva on your side at this trying time.

In this article, we show you how to find the perfect resume template for you on Canva. And then show you how to customize that template to better fit your individual needs.

What Is Canva?

Canva is a template website that helps you publish beautifully designed documents for every subject, ranging from birthday cards to invoices. It's perfect for anyone who needs to create something for web or print, but who doesn't have the skills or time. It's also free, with options for paid designs available.

Step 1: Know Your Job Market

The first thing you need to do---before you even build your resume---is to actually know your job market. You need to know what industry you want to target, and what they're looking for.

We strongly recommend targeting one or two industries max for your job search. If you throw your net wider, your resume will end up being too generalized. There's also the risk of running out of time to customize your resume for different fields.

If you're feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start, we have a rundown of the best job search engines to try . Searching through these websites for specific keywords will give you a good idea as to what kind of jobs are out there, and where.

After you know which markets you want to target, figure out what you need to say. Is this an industry you're already in? Just talk about your experience. Is this an industry you want to break into? Then play up your skills related to the field.

Look into resources within your industry that can improve your skills. If your potential job involves being active online, have a social media presence as proof-of-concept. Above all, network with your peers, both online and offline.

For the purpose of this exercise, let's keep it simple, and say you want a job in content writing. The company you're targeting? A website that rounds up the best cake and confectionary news in your city. Let's try to find a perfect resume for it.

Step 2: Search Canva

First, make sure you're signed up for Canva. Once you're signed up, use Canva's search function and type in Resume . It will automatically call up a list of templates.

These templates will be divided into different categories depending on what kind of job you want. At the very bottom will be a full list of all templates available in that category. Because you're tailoring your resume for a social media position, the best thing to keep in mind is to find a resume that follows the trends of current web design. Those trends are:

• Minimalistic
• Lots of white space to help content stand out

Think "glossy" and "sleek".

With that in mind, let's search for something under the Minimalist Resume category. I like this design because it's got a clean, eye-catching look that mimics the downwards scroll of content on a webpage. This is important if someone is viewing the resume on a screen.

Step 3: Keep It Simple; Words Are Important

You want to pick a resume that mirrors the industry you're applying to because you want to show them that you understand their purpose. However, you don't want a resume that looks identical to the company's branding. If it's too similar to their official website, your personality won't shine through.

This is where customization comes in handy.

Once you have your template picked out, fill in your work details. The most important thing to keep in mind is clarity. Keep your resume to one page if possible.

State your name and professional profile---a short, two-sentence blurb explaining your specialty---along with contact details. Next, name your program proficiencies required for the position, along with your most relevant work experience.

Because this resume is for a website about confectionary, focus on your experience related to content writing and online management. Anything that has to do with food---like working in a bakery---would also help, because it shows that you know the product.

Sell yourself as the expert that you know you are. Use terms relevant to your field while also keeping your writing accessible. Don't be wordy for no reason.

Step 4: Visuals Are Important Too

Once you've got your content down, it's time to customize the design. You can change the font to make it more suitable for the company you're applying to, but keep it legible. You can also switch the colors of the template to mirror the company's branding. It will be a subtle nod to their overall culture and show that you're good with detail.

Once this is done, you're ready to download your finished template and apply for the job.

You can also create a cover letter with Canva to match your resume. However, if you're sending the application by email, we recommend that you put the cover letter in the body of the email unless people ask otherwise. There's no need to tell them the same thing twice.

Bonus: Create Your Own Template for Other Jobs

Let's say you really like the changes that you made to this resume. Let's also say that you want to reuse this template for similar jobs without having to redesign it from scratch. To do this, simply create a copy of your finished template using Canva's built-in function. Then give it a meaningful title like "Full Name - Social Media Resume."

Now whenever you apply to a job with similar parameters, you can quickly call it up and tweak the font and color as needed. Then you're good to go.

Good Luck With the Job Hunt!

Sticking to these basic steps to finding and customizing a resume on Canva will get you pointed in the right direction. Once you have them down, the job search should prove far less daunting.

Are you interested in using Canva for other designs to make your life easier? Then check out our list of things you can create with Canva .

• Productivity

11 Beautiful Canva Resume Templates for Any Profession

Creating a resume can feel overwhelming. To get a headstart on the design and elements you need to include, take a look at these Canva resume templates.

Yes, you can use Canva for more than images and infographics. Each template on our list is available for free, offers a unique design and effective layout, and can help you impress at a glance.

1. White and Grey Professional Resume and Cover Letter

This first Minimalistic White and Grey Resume template is an excellent option if you want a cover letter to match. You receive two different resume layouts to choose from: one with spots for a profile and two work experience positions and the other with an expertise section and three previous positions.

The cover letter header matches that of each resume layout and includes a place for your signature at the bottom.

2. Blue Professional Modern CV Resume

If you’d like a template with a little pizzazz, such as your professional photo, check out this Blue Modern CV Resume. Simply swap out the sample photo with your own to personalize the appearance of your resume.

You then have sections for Experience and Education, along with a Skills Summary using bars and percentages. Then, take advantage of the Language and Expertise areas structured with bullet lists.

3. Brown Cream Simple Resume CV

If you’re a student or recent graduate, this Brown Cream Simple Creative Resume template is a good choice. It offers equally sized sections for Education, Experience, (professional) Skills, and Personal Skills.

You can also use the About Me area at the top to introduce yourself and highlight your capabilities.

4. Blue and White Simple Resume

Another resume template that’s ideal for students or those without work experience is this Blue and White Simple Resume. You can add your photo and contact information on the left with your Education, Skills, and Interests on the right.

The template gives you a neat and clean appearance that’s also attractive and professional.

5. Minimalist Modern Resume

For a Canva resume template that provides enough room to add detailed paragraphs about your previous positions, look to this Minimalist Modern Resume. The contemporary design gives you a splash of blue as it highlights your contact information, education, and skills.

You can then add a profile statement or paragraph and all the details you need for your work experience.

6. Black and Yellow Bold Resume

Are you in an industry where emitting boldness and confidence is the way to go? If so, this Black and Yellow Bold Creative Resume template might be just what you’ve been looking for. It offers a black background with large gold headings and black-and-white graphics.

You still have spots for Work Experience and Education but with plenty of flair. You can also include your Skills along the bottom and even replace the current images with icons to complement your skills.

As a bonus, this resume comes with a matching cover letter.

7. Beige and Brown Modern CV Resume

When you have a lot of details to include but want to stick to a one-page resume, this Beige and Brown Modern CV template works perfectly. Include your contact details, education, references, languages, and interests below your photo on the left.

Then, add your Hard and Soft Skills at the top using bar graph images and your Work Experience beneath.

8. Modern White and Black A4 Resume

If you’re in the creative industry working as a photographer or graphic designer, this Modern White and Black resume template helps you showcase a sampling of your work. You can swap out the example images with your own, giving you an easy and attractive way to display just some of your work along with your experience and education.

You can also include a link to your online portfolio at the bottom, which is the perfect addition to this creative template.

9. Multicolor Modern Musician Resume

If you’re a musician, DJ, instrumental artist, or music producer, this colorful and eye-catching template is for you. With the Multicolor Modern Professional Musician Resume, you have graphical elements in the form of music notes at the top and bottom.

The different colors for each section heading give the resume energy, which is ideal for showing a fun, contemporary music style or personality.

10. Black and White Minimalist Resume

Maybe it’s your skills and expertise you want to highlight. This Black and White Minimalist Resume template draws your eye to these sections at the bottom. You can use a bar graph design to show your experience levels in the Skills area and then expand with the Expertise section’s bullet list to the right.

The template offers a clean and sophisticated appearance, appropriate for almost any industry.

11. Simple Modern Resume Template

This last Canva resume template has a neat appearance but is also a modern one, making it suitable for those in the technology field. With the Simple Modern Resume Template, you have a standout location to add your Certificates and can use the area beneath to highlight your skills or something specific like programming languages.

Of course, you have the standard sections for Education and Experience as well as About Me and Contact areas for a comprehensive resume.

Create Your Resume With Ease

Whether you choose a template tailored to your industry or an elegant, all-encompassing option, you can pop in your elements for a professional-looking resume in no time. Which one of these Canva resume templates will you choose?

For more, look at these online resume-building services .

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Sandy Writtenhouse is a freelance technology writer and former Project, Department, and Program Manager. She turned her education, job experience, and love of technology into a full-time writing career. With all sorts of gadgets in her home and her hands, she seeks to help others make life easier through technology. Read Sandy's Full Bio

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• Resume & CV

20+ Best Free Canva Resume CV Templates to Download for 2024

Do you need to make a resume but lack design skills? During a job hunt, your resume must look professional and leave a good impression on the hiring manager.

So how do you make a resume without design skills? Use a template!

Canva is a place where people design free and premium templates. So, does Canva have resume templates? Absolutely!

Using a template can help you save time. Because designing a resume from scratch can be difficult and take a lot of time. A template is already designed to look professional and impressive. Just find the template that suits you, download it, and add information.

What to Look for in a Resume Template

Before choosing a resume template, knowing what to look for can be helpful. Here are five things to look for:

1. Decide Your Goal

When considering what template you use, decide your goal when writing your resume. Depending on your goals, you may wish to vary what template you choose.

For example, if you’re applying to a creative job like graphic designer, you want a resume that showcases your work and creativity. But a resume that works for a creative field wouldn’t work for a corporate job.

2. Analyze the Company

After deciding on your goal, research the company you’re applying to. Look at the company culture and values to know what kind of company it is. If the company is modern and positive, consider a resume that reflects that. It’s also important to consider the position that you’re applying to. For example, if you’re applying for a job analyzing data, then have a data-driven resume template.

3. Consider Layout Options

There are several different resume template layout options that you can choose from. When deciding which layout, consider the research you’ve done on the company you’re applying to. Here are the different layout options:

• Traditional . This resume type has standard fonts like Times New Roman or Courier. Also, it's got one color and doesn’t have a border or graphics. Typically, they've got a single column and have the applicant’s name and contact information in the header at the top of the document. Below the header are the experience, education, certifications, and other information.
• Creative . This resume type has columns, charts, patterns, borders, and colorful graphics. In addition, this resume type can use multiple font types and sizes.
• Modern . The modern resume is a mix of traditional and creative resumes. The goal is that your resume be easy to read and scan. Generally, this template has two columns containing basic information, history, and experience. These templates typically have colors, hard lines, and geometric shapes. But the colors and shapes are muted or used to separate columns and subheadings.
• Functional . This resume focuses on the applicant’s skills and abilities because it's got the skills and goals at the top of the template.
• Chronological . In this resume template style, the most recent experience is listed at the top of the section, then the past experiences are below. The goal is to showcase your recent experience.

4. Determine What Meets Your Needs

Most templates can be customized to suit your needs. But you still want to choose a template that covers most of your needs. Here are some resume features to consider when deciding what meets your needs:

• single or double columns
• muted shapes or colorful shapes
• skills or graphs
• resume photo

5. Choose an Introduction

Resume introductions are the hiring manager's first impression of the applicant. So, you want it to be impressive and represent you well. There are three different types of introductions that you can use. Here are the three types of introductions.

• Summary . This is a two to three-sentence summary of your educational accomplishments and work experiences. It showcases your qualifications and skills.
• Objective . The resume objective is a summary of your professional goals. This can range from two to three sentences. The goal is to tell the hiring manager why you’re applying to the job.
• Personal Brand Statement . This one or two sentence statement is where you state what makes you unique. It shows what you professionally stand for.

20+ Top Free Canva Resume CV Templates to Download (2024)

Canva has many free high-quality resume templates.

Here are some of the best free Canva resume templates:

1. White Modern Digital Marketing Specialist Resume

This Canva CV has a fun but professional design. This resume template has clear section titles. It also comes with icons and graphics. Everything in this template can be easily edited.

2. Yellow Modern Abstract Resume

The Yellow Modern Abstract Resume is a Canva free resume template that can be used for any type of potential job that you apply to. This resume highlights your experience and skills. So, if you want to highlight them in your resume, this is a good choice.

3. Blue Light Color Blocks Flight Attendant CV

This Canva resume template has a nice bold information section that'll make your information stand out. It also comes with icons that draw attention to certain parts of the resume. The Blue Light Color Blocks Flight Attendant CV is 8.5 x 11 size. 

4. White Purple Simple Software Engineer CV

The best resume templates on Canva have a simple design that also comes with matching icons. The clean simplicity of the design won't distract the reader from the necessary information on your resume. Plus, the purple titles add a pop of color to your resume without it being overwhelming.

5. Grey Clean CV Resume

The Grey Clean CV Resume has a simple resume design. In the design, each part of your resume is separated into sections. As a result, this resume is easy to read and professional.

6. Beige Minimalist Academic Resume

Most people have a white resume, meaning that if you use this Canva CV with a beige background, you’ll stand out. This resume is designed for newly graduated students. It also comes with a language section where you can showcase any languages you speak.

7. Minimalist Clean Signature CV Resume

The Minimalist Clean Signature CV Resume has an elegant and fancy design. If you’re looking for a stylish and minimal template, this is one of the best resume templates on Canva. The colors featured in this template are light pink and gold.

8. Modern Grey Resume

The Modern Grey Resume is another resume that would stand out among the stack of white resumes. It’s one of the best Canva resume templates with colorful background professional resumes. Another feature of this resume is the icons in the contact section.

9. White & Black Modern Simple Architect Resume

The main focus of the White & Black Modern Simple Architect Resume is your work experience. So, if you've got a lot of experience in your field, this Canva free resume template is a great option. The bar on the side makes your skills stand out to the reader.

10. Brown and Cream Minimalist Graphic Designer CV Resume

This Canva CV would stand out among the white resumes with a lovely cream background. There's a section for you to add your headshot. Everything in this template can be edited, including graphs.

11. Minimalist Web Designer Resume CV

If you want a template that'll show off your creative side while also looking professional, this resume template free download from Canva is a great choice. The muted colors add visual interest without distracting the eye from important information.

12. Blue Simple Professional Resume

The Blue Simple Professional Resume is one of the best resume templates on Canva in the professional resume category. The navy blue adds color without distracting the reader. It also makes your name, title, and contact information stand out.

13. Cream Minimalist Professional Resume

The Cream Minimalist Professional Resume is one of the best Canva resume templates with minimal design and a pop of color. This template focuses on your experience with a big section for it in the middle of the resume. Also, it comes with icons in the contact section that'll make your information stand out.

14. Colorful Fun Illustration Artist Resume

This Canva free resume template focuses on a creative design. This template is a good choice if you want a template that'll show your art off and have a beautiful design. Everything in the template can be edited to suit your needs.

15. Black & White Simple Professional Resume

Black and White Simple Professional Resume is a Canva resume template with a design that looks stylish and professional. The design centers around a vertical timeline for all of the information in the template.

16. Kindergarten Teacher Aesthetic Pastel Pink and White Creative Resume

This creative template is one of the best resume templates on Canva. It's got an abstract design that can be used for any purpose. The color adds fun and whimsy without being distracting. You can easily customize this template, including the charts.

17. Purple White Modern Simple Minimalist Resume CV

If you’re looking for a minimal resume with color, then this is the best Canva resume template. This template focuses on your experience, skills, and accomplishments. The font is a fun purple color and easy to read.

18. White Black Simple Patterns Nurse Resume

The White and Black Simple Patterns Nurse Resume is a Canva free resume template that's got a fun design with a black and white theme. You can edit everything in this template to suit your needs. In addition, this template showcases an expert skills section where you can show your employer why they should hire you.

19. Green Modern Fashion Designer Resume

This Canva resume template has a beautiful design that can be used in a creative field. The earth tones are calming and add color without distracting from important information. Along with an education and experience field, the resume has a skill and reference field.

20. Black and White Minimalist Simple Design Freelancer Resume

The Black and White Minimalist Simple Design Freelancer Resume is a very simple Canva CV. Since there's no design, this template can work for any job field you’re applying to. In addition, the font is easy to read, making the whole resume template professional and not distracting.

5 Quick Tips to Make Professional Resume Designs

A well-designed resume can make an excellent first impression. When applying for a job, you want to do all you can to give a potential employer a good impression. Here are five tips for creating professional resume designs:

1. Choose the Right Font

Each Canva resume template comes with professionally selected fonts. Part of choosing a resume is choosing a font that not only matches your resume design but also looks stylish. You want the font to be professional, pretty, and easy to read. If you've got a font that's hard to read or tacky, it can come off as unprofessional.

Even if you aren’t sure about what font to use in your resume template design, stick to the same font throughout your whole resume. If you’re familiar with many fonts, you can try using a different font for your header and section than for the rest of your resume.

2. Make Your Header Pop

Headers are a vital part of your Canva resume template. The heading has the following important information:

• your full name
• professional title
• email address
• telephone number

Also, in the heading, include websites linking to your work. These websites can consist of LinkedIn and a personal website or online portfolio. Most of the time, the heading is what the hiring manager reads first. So, you want to make an excellent first impression.

3. Set the Margins

A well-designed Canva CV has identical margins on all four edges. For the safest size, your margins should be one inch on each side. But if you want a minimal look for your resume, try using one-and-a-half-inch margins on each side of your Canva CV or resume template.

Margins are necessary because if your margins are too narrow, your template can get filled with too much text. This would make your resume look unprofessional and sloppy. On the other hand, if your margins are too large, it can make your resume look empty and unimpressive.

4. Have Clear Section Headings

Most Canva resume templates have sections designed into the template. Sections can make the resume look organized and neat. It can also make your resume easier to read. Typically, your resume would have the following areas in this order:

• contact information
• resume summary or objective
• work experience
• additional sections

Having all your resume sections clearly labeled is essential so the hiring manager can easily read and find what they're looking for in your resume.

5. Use White Space

It’s essential to have white space in your Canva CV. White space makes your resume easy to read. Minimalist design templates have a lot of white space.

Make the spacing between sentences one or one and a half across your whole resume to take advantage of white space. Also, add space after every heading and every bit of information.

Learn More About Making Great Resumes in 2024

Making a good resume can be difficult. It's essential to have an impressive resume. If you want more information read this tutorial on How to Create a Great Resume . Here are some helpful articles:

Download a Free Canva Resume Template Today!

Now you know the answer to does Canva have resume templates ? ( It’s Yes! ) So, try out their templates today! But before trying a resume, read the helpful articles and tutorials to linked in this article.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• The Truth About Using Canva...

The Truth About Using Canva for Resumes

8 min read · Updated on March 18, 2024

Is Canva a good tool for creating and designing your resume? Here's what to consider.

Everyone wants their resume to look nice, but unfortunately, we're not all graphic designers. That's why many people will try to find a “hack” to create a more visually appealing resume that will help them stand out from the crowd.

One of these hacks is Canva , a popular design tool. It's free and easy to use, and it allows you to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, and, yes, resumes without any graphic design know-how.

It has dozens – if not hundreds – of resume templates you can choose from, with categories including modern, infographic, minimalist, corporate, photo, and even acting resumes. All you have to do is drag and drop your text into the template. You can even upload your own images before downloading or printing your resume.

Sounds easy, right? Sure – but is Canva good for resumes? Let's break down the truth about using Canva for resumes.

Are Canva resumes good?

Using Canva to design your resume sounds smart; it's free, easy to use, and the templates look pretty sharp. However, using Canva to create your resume may not be as effective for your job search. Here are some of the biggest downsides to the design tool.

Canva resumes do not pass applicant tracking systems

When you apply for a job, there's a good chance a human won't be the first to see your resume. Many companies employ applicant tracking systems, a/k/a the ATS or “resume bots,” to collect, sort, scan, and rank resumes based on certain programmed elements.

There are several strategies you can use to beat the resume bots , and a lot of these strategies focus on the design of your resume. For instance, with resume bots, it's important to use a clean resume design. This means no complex designs or unusual formats; applicant tracking systems have a difficult time reading these. 

It's also important to avoid using any images or charts . These often become a garbled mess in the ATS.

Canva resume templates employ, at the very least, a bunch of text boxes that you can use to copy and paste your resume content. Resume scanning systems simply can't parse information from text boxes properly. This means that your resume will look like it has a bunch of nonsensical characters in it, leading the ATS to reject your resume as an incompatible file. 

Important Note: ATS rejection is one of the main reasons that job seekers are ghosted by companies. The ATS kicks out your resume submission, making it so the human beings at the company don't even know you exist.

As a rule of thumb, less is more, so stick to simple resume fonts , straightforward bullet points, and an overall minimalist look. There's no need to include a headshot, infographics, or cute little icons.

Write for the ATS and human beings

Your goal is to get past the applicant tracking systems and into the hands of recruiters and hiring managers. Even the humans reading your resume are more concerned with your skills and experiences – not the design of your resume. Since you have two different audiences for your resume, it's best to use something more common, like the reverse-chronological format . 

The ATS knows how to read a reverse-chronological resume, and it's what hiring managers expect to see. In fact, the human beings looking at your resume know exactly where to find pertinent information in a reverse-chronological format. You don't want to present something to them that they have to spend time deciphering because, in reality, they're only spending a few seconds skimming through your document. 

Canva resumes are only one page

It used to be frowned upon to have a resume longer than one page — even if you had 20 years of experience under your belt — but times have changed.

Now, recruiters, hiring managers, and HR pros don't mind a resume that's more than one page. In fact, a study from ResumeGo found that recruiters are 2.3 times more likely to prefer a two-page resume over a one-page resume, regardless of an applicant's job level.

Young professionals today tend to have a lot more valuable experiences, even when they're fresh out of school, like internships, co-ops, freelance work, and study abroad experiences. This isn't just fluff – these are experiences recruiters are interested in seeing from recent grads and entry-level job candidates.

When you use Canva for your resume, you'll notice a common trend: Almost all of the templates are built for one page. Not only that, they're difficult to edit into two pages. Sure, you can duplicate the first page of the resume, but that duplicates every section on the first page, which isn't necessary.

If you want to use a Canva template for the first page of your resume, you'll have to tap into your inner graphic design skills to figure out how to format the second page in a way that's congruent with the first (Spoiler: It's going to be difficult with the way Canva has these set up).

Canva resumes leave out valuable information

When you're perusing Canva resume templates, you'll probably find quite a few designs that look clean and sharp. The design pros certainly know how to create a simple template and utilize white space. However, upon further inspection, you'll notice there's not a whole lot of room to list your experiences. Plus, you'll find there are quite a few missing sections.

For instance, the “gray and black professional resume” looks nice. But upon closer inspection, you'll notice there's very little room to list your job experiences – just a corner of the page. Additionally, you'll notice valuable real estate dedicated to character references , which you should not list on your resume at all.

There's also a chunk of space on a resume reserved for contact information . While this information is important, you can, oftentimes, condense it and include it in one line at the top of your resume, under your name.

Some of these templates also lack important sections, including a key skills section , an achievements and awards section, and a career summary.

In general, these templates look minimalist and airy – which is great – but they also don't leave you much space to showcase your experience and qualifications, which is essential when you're building your resume. Instead, use this ultimate resume guide to determine which sections you need to include in your resume.

Should I ever use a creative resume? 

OK, so is it time to just write off the notion of using Canva for your resume? Generally, yes. In reality, they're just not right for most people. They won't pass applicant-tracking systems, they'll constrict you to one page, and they don't allow you to show off all your qualifications, skills, achievements, and experiences in an effective way that'll land you the job.

Many times, a creative resume design will work against you. If you do want to show off your design, photo, or other creative skills, consider building an online website or portfolio where you can show off your skills to your heart's desire. 

On the other hand

With that said, if you're attending a career fair or networking event and need something that's short and crisp, you could use Canva for your resume. Basically, anytime you're not applying for a job online, it's probably OK to have a Canva-designed resume. Just remember that you'll want to get the email address of the person you hand your Canva resume to so that you can send them your real resume – you know, the one that has more of the relevant information the hiring manager wants to see. 

Canva could harm your job search success

We know it's tempting to use a Canva resume because they are free, quick, and easy, but they may be harming your job search more than they are helping it. You're better off working with a professional resume writer who knows the ins and outs of resume design. They'll ensure your resume passes applicant tracking systems and overall are formatted for your success.

Key takeaways:

Canva resumes do not pass the ATS

Canva resumes utilize improper formatting, like text boxes, tables, and images

Canva resumes cannot be downloaded as .doc or .docx files

Canva resumes do not provide enough space to include relevant information

Canva resumes emphasize all the wrong things (like your contact information and references)

Stick with writing a reverse-chronological resume in Word or Google Docs to get past the ATS

Only use Canva when you're giving your resume directly to a human being

Not thrilled with your resume's format and design? Let a professional resume writer clean it up .

This article was originally written by Carson Kohler in 2021 and updated by Marsha Hebert in 2024. 

Recommended reading:

Resume Builders Versus Resume-Writing Services: Which Should You Choose?

QR Codes on Resumes: A Genius Move or a Silly Distraction?

Should I Put My Pronouns on My Resume?

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

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Should You Use Canva for Your Resume? Here’s What You Need to Know

Creating your resume in Canva can feel like manifesting a makeover. What can seem like a plain and boring document suddenly looks colorful and eye-catching.

So as a career coach, when I meet with clients who’ve spiced things up by making a Canva resume, I hate breaking the news that their fancy new document probably won’t make it through an applicant tracking system (ATS), the software recruiters and hiring managers use to organize and sort through online applications. I steer them back toward a Word or Google doc, and show them how you can still feel dressed up but actually get noticed.

Here’s why I regularly give this advice—and when you can make an exception.

Wait, what’s the issue with using Canva to build a resume?

Every bit of text on a Canva resume template is placed using text boxes, no matter which template you select and even when you create your own design from scratch. This makes for nicely spaced resumes, but it won’t help in getting your content read properly by an ATS.

Elements including text boxes, tables, headers and footers, images, and columns can trip up an ATS scanning your resume and turn your carefully crafted document into a jumbled, nonsensical mess. Even if you make your resume in a Word doc, you should still avoid using all of these to ensure your content is readable. And though some Canva templates are simpler and cleaner than others, they’re all built on text boxes and other elements an ATS might not be able to decipher properly. Plus, you can download your Canva resume as .pdf, .jpg, or .png files, but not as .doc or .docx files, which are most easily parsed by an ATS . Finally, the most popular applicant tracking systems all search for information differently, making it even more important that you create your resume with straightforward formatting and content.

All of these factors make it hard to recommend selecting any of Canva’s templates or even creating your own when you’re applying for a job online.

And while the ATS is the most immediate hurdle, a review of some of the available templates tells me they might lead you astray in other ways. For example, some guide you to include resume objectives , which are outdated and unhelpful; photos of yourself , which don’t belong on your resume (not in the U.S., at least); or sections that list references or state, “ References available upon request,” which you just don’t need. Some reserve disproportionate space for your contact information , which belongs on your resume but doesn’t warrant a quarter of the page, or leave very little room for you to list your work experience with meaty bullets describing your impact and accomplishments.

Read More: Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System and Into Human Hands

When *is* a good time to use a Canva template?

When you’re bypassing the online application system entirely and emailing your resume directly to a contact—maybe someone you know or have been referred to—you might consider impressing them with a nicely designed Canva resume. Or once you’ve gotten through the ATS and made contact with a person, you can send a fancier resume to share with the people you’ll be interviewing with. Just be sure you’re including the right sections and information and keeping in mind that humans looking at your resume also don’t want to be overwhelmed by a super busy or indecipherable document.

As applicant tracking systems improve, my hope is that job seekers won’t have to worry about how a resume is built and will be able to have fun with the design. But for now, hold off on using your Canva resume until after you’ve made it through the online system.

OK, cool. So how should I make my resume?

If you’ve been using this type of resume to apply and aren’t having much luck with positive responses, this is a great time to see if things improve with a simpler resume created in Word or Google Docs.

Here’s some more advice on putting together a resume that will help you land interviews and jobs:

• Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)
• 43 Resume Tips That Will Help You Get Hired
• The 41 Best Resume Templates Ever
• What it Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”

Check out even more resume advice and, if you need some extra or more personalized help, you can book a resume review with me or another Muse career coach.

How Do I Edit My Resume on Canva?

Editing your resume is an essential step in tailoring it to match your skills and experiences. One popular platform that allows you to create and customize your resume is Canva. With its user-friendly interface and extensive design options, Canva makes it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking resume. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to edit your resume on Canva.

Step 1: Log in to Canva

If you haven't already, start by creating an account on Canva or logging in if you already have one. Once you're logged in, you'll have access to all of the features and templates available.

Step 2: Choose a Resume Template

Canva offers a wide range of pre-designed resume templates to choose from. To find the perfect template for your needs, click on the "Templates" tab located on the left-hand side of the screen. Use the search bar to enter keywords like "resume" or "CV" to filter the results.

You can also use additional filters such as color, layout, or style to narrow down your options and find a template that suits your personal taste.

Step 3: Customize Your Resume

Once you've selected a template, it's time to make it your own. Canva provides various editing tools that allow you to personalize every aspect of your resume.

• Edit Text: Double-click on any text element within the template to modify it. You can change fonts, font sizes, colors, and even add new text boxes.
• Add Sections: If you need additional sections in your resume, such as "Skills" or "Certifications," you can easily add them. Click on the "Elements" tab and select the appropriate section from the options available.
• Upload Images: To include your photo or any other relevant images, click on the "Uploads" tab and choose the file you want to add. You can then resize and reposition the image as needed.
• Change Background: If you prefer a different background color or pattern, click on the "Background" tab and select your desired option.

Step 4: Save and Download Your Resume

Once you're satisfied with your changes, it's time to save and download your edited resume. Click on the "Download" button located at the top right corner of the Canva editor.

To ensure high-quality output, choose a file format such as PDF or PNG. These formats preserve the design elements and maintain compatibility across different devices.

Congratulations! You've successfully edited your resume on Canva. Now you can use it for job applications, print it, or share it digitally with potential employers.

Remember that updating your resume regularly is crucial to reflect your latest accomplishments and skills accurately. With Canva's intuitive editing tools, you can effortlessly keep your resume up-to-date and visually appealing.

Start editing your resume on Canva today , and take advantage of its numerous design options to create a standout document that showcases your professional journey!

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5 Free Canva Resume Templates [+ Review]

What is Canva?

Canva is a program that simplifies graphic design so anyone can create professional-looking graphics without training in higher-level programs like Photoshop or Illustrator. 

Based in Australia and founded in 2013, Canva has free and Pro versions, with Pro subscribers gaining access to more graphic, audio and video options. If you regularly need graphic services, a Pro account is worth the investment. If not, the free version will cover your basic graphic-design needs. As of 2022, there are 75 million active Canva users per month, making the software an in-demand tool.

We’ve rounded up five Canva resume templates and provided you with alternatives to consider.

Before we dive in, we would be remissed to point out that Teal offers over 100+ free resume templates across a variety of resume formats and styles, from simple, traditional, creative, modern, chronological, functional, and more.

Canva Resume Templates

Canva resume example #1.

This Canva resume template has a soft, colorful touch that doesn’t overpower the most important information: your experience. 

Using two columns, the template organizes your work history in the left-hand column and your contact information and skills in the right-hand column. The white background and black text makes the resume easy to read, and the font is clean and clear. 

This Canva resume template is best for people who want to incorporate a pop of color while still being subtle. 

Canva Resume Template #1

To use this template, click here: Canva Pastel Pink Light Blue Clean UI Web Developer CV

Canva Resume Example #2

If you have a lot of skills and work experience to fit into one page, this Canva resume template cuts out the fluff and gives you the appropriate room to work with. 

The template is less about flair and more about communicating your personal details in a direct way. A bold font in a deep-green color immediately draws the eye to your work and education history, with a short section to list relevant skills. 

If you are someone who has strong work experience and impressive educational achievements, this template best caters to your strengths.

The icons may cause issues with applicant tracking systems. So this template is best used when you're attaching your resume via email or another software that doesn't parse the sections.

Canva Resume Template #2

To use this template, click here:  Canva Beige Dark Green Bold Modern Web Developer CV

Canva Resume Example #3

This Canva resume template is best if you have a well-rounded career experience. In addition to work and education history, skills and contact information , this template includes a section for volunteer experience. 

Volunteering is a great way to get a hiring manager or recruiter’s attention, and this resume template gives you ample room to incorporate your volunteer history. There is enough room to highlight two relevant volunteering examples. If you have more than two examples, incorporate the ones that best fit with the job opportunities you want. 

Although we don't recommend including your headshot on your resume, this Canva template includes a spot for it for those who'd like to give it a try.

Canva Resume Template #3

To use this template, click here:  Canva Purple Grey Clean UI Copy Editor CV

Canva Resume Example #4

If you want to show your colorful side, this Canva template incorporates bold colors without making too much noise. There is still enough solid whitespace to highlight all your greatest accomplishments. Similar to the Purple Grey Clean UI Copy Editor template above, this template has space for a headshot or graphic that best represents you. We don't recommend including your picture on your resume, though.

This template has your headshot, contact information, skills and portfolio link on the right hand side, with ample room for work history, volunteer experience and certifications on the left hand side. 

Canva Resume Template #4

To use this template, click here: Canva Blue Bright Yellow Color Blocks Salesperson CV

Canva Resume Example #5

This Canva resume template features a simple, gray and white color combination and a strong font. There are no graphics splitting up the two columns. This template uses monochrome color blocks where the reader’s eyes flow from relevant skills to work experience. Your contact details are at the top of the page, which also lends more room for your work experience. 

As with many Canva templates, this resume could be hard to parse by applicant tracking systems because of the images included.

Canva Resume Template #5

To use this template, click here: Canva Black Grey Color Blocks Project Manager CV

How To Find Free Resume Templates in Canva

Before you start browsing templates, you need to have a Canva account . It is quick and easy to set up a free or Pro account — just make sure you have your payment information ready if you choose a Pro account.

When you have your account established, you’ll see “Templates” listed right below the home icon, on the left-hand side. 

When you click on “Templates,” Canva takes you to a new page, where it hosts multiple template formats, ranging from invitations, social media posts and, of course, resumes. Canva puts its resume templates front and center — marketing them as ATS-Optimized CVs. 

In the above image, you can see the purple button that reads “Browse ATS-Optimized CVs.” Canva was founded in Australia, where "curriculum vitae" is more common than the term "resume".

After you click on the button, you will see more than many templates to choose from. 

Premium Resume Templates For Canva

As mentioned earlier, Canva offers a paid Pro option with access to more features. Investing in a Canva Pro account is best for people who regularly create graphics or need a simple way to edit sound and video. Canva isn’t the only place online to get resume templates, though. Below are other options you may want to explore. You can purchase these templates and then use them in Canva.

Creative Market

Browse through more than 11,000 resume templates with a paid Creative Market plan, which ranges from $19.95 to $49.95 per month. With a paid plan, you get a set number of download credits per month. There are also free options — Creative Market releases four different assets every week. 

The platform known for supporting independent artists is another place to purchase unique resume templates. Prices range from as low as $0.17 to as high as $17. By purchasing a resume template from Etsy, you are also supporting independent graphic designers.

Graphic Pear

Hosting both free and paid options, Graphic Pair features resume templates that range from unique and colorful to simple and straightforward. Like Canva, a free plan is limited. For paid plans, you can pay $39 for one month or $89 for a full year. 

Is Canva Good For Resumes?

Canva is a useful design tool, and it does provide professional-looking, ready-made templates. However, some resume templates on Canva aren't actually great for job applications. You don’t need a graphic design software to create an attractive resume. And your resume doesn't need to look like it was professionally designed. 

Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind. 

Pros of using Canva

• ‍ Canva is user-friendly. ‍ Canva lets anyone be a graphic designer with its easy-to-use interface. It features alignment and editing tools to keep your design looking sharp, as well as video-editing and sound capabilities. 
• ‍ There are thousands of templates. ‍ It is easy to find a Canva template for resumes, social media posts, fliers and more. Canva has templates that come in custom sizes - that way you don’t have to search for the right graphic dimensions.
• ‍ It has a free option. ‍ A free Canva account gives you access to the necessary tools to create an attention-grabbing resume. Even with its limitations, there are still thousands of design combinations through a free account. 
• ‍ You can adjust templates . As you get comfortable with using Canva, you can tinker with template layouts and create a customized design. Update templates by changing colors, fonts and deleting or adding graphics. 
• ‍ Collaboration is simple . Canva’s Teams feature lets you invite other users to your designs. Canva also allows sharing and every design has a link with editing permissions to send to another user. 

Cons of using Canva

• ‍ Templates are common . With so many people using Canva on a daily basis, it is easy to spot repeat designs on social media posts, resumes, invitations and more. A free account limits which tools and designs you can access, which causes many repeat situations. You are less likely to see repeats with a Pro account, however, they do happen.
• ‍ Potential alignment issues. Software like Photoshop and Illustrator offer more precise alignment options, which results in perfectly centered graphics and documents. Canva’s alignment feature is more simple, which can throw your design off. 
• ‍ No local file storage. ‍ Without local file storage, users cannot access their designs when Canva is down. If the website is down, nobody can work on their projects. 
• ‍ Limited on mobile . Canva’s mobile app has fewer options than its desktop counterpart. If you want to work on a design, the easiest and best option is to use Canva on a desktop computer. 
• Not ATS-friendly. Despite its marketing, all of Canva's resume templates are not formatted well for applicant tracking systems. For example, pictures and icons don't do well in applicant tracking systems — and many of Canva's resume templates include them.

Canva vs. Teal Resume Builder

Exploring the best resume format options is always a good idea, especially with how much helpful software is available for free. Teal's AI Resume Builder is one of those free tools that helps you build a resume that gets noticed during your job hunt. 

Teal’s AI Resume Builder is more effective than a Canva template because our tool  helps you build optimized resumes that land jobs — whereas Canva's templates focus only on the visuals. In the Resume Builder, you can choose various template options all while keeping your resume formatted well for applicant tracking systems.

Teal's AI Resume Builder also stores your work history and offers writing insights. The AI Assistant feature also helps you create effective bullet points. It saves you time, because you can create multiple versions of your resume for different job applications. You can easily import your LinkedIn profile, as well, to jumpstart the resume building process.

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What are the main pros and cons of using canva resume templates, how can i make a canva resume more ats friendly, are there any specific canva resume templates that are known to be more ats friendly.

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Home » Career Advice » Resume Tips » 8 Top Canva Resume Templates to Try

8 Top Canva Resume Templates to Try

Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Career Reload Team

Canva is a great freemium in browser tool that you can use to quickly create an attractive resume. That being said, Canva resume templates are a great way to enhance the visuals of your CV but it won’t help you with the writing like a Resume Builder would.

In a moment, you’ll see several fantastic Canva resume designs, but first, let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of using a Canva resume maker:

Pros of a Canva Resume Templates:

• Numerous resume templates with outstanding visual design.
• The resume templates are straightforward to format and customize.
• The suggested format for resumes is PDF, which is one of the formats that Canva offers.
• Canva is mostly free to use.

Cons of a Canva Resume Templates:

• The designs on Canva are beautiful, but many of them don’t have enough space for a long experience section.
• If you don’t email the hiring manager directly, you need a resume that is easy for the applicant tracking system (ATS) to read. Graphics can be hard for the ATS to read.
• The format of several of the templates makes them less usable because they contain photos. Canva is a global graphic design tool, and in certain countries but not in the US, having a photo on a resume is typical.

The Canva resume maker undoubtedly offers both benefits and drawbacks. Canva is a fantastic resource in general if you’re seeking for creative resume designs.

However, recruiters also place a high value on resume content. Always select the resume template that will pass ATS over a creative one if you have to choose. ATS is used by up to 99% of Fortune 500 firms to help with hiring.

If you are looking for ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word or resume templates for Google Docs , Career Reload has plenty of free resume templates ready for instant download.

Best Canva Resume Designs

Below we have curated the best Canva resumes that you can make great with a little tweaking.

Minimalist White and Grey Professional Resume

A minimalist design is great for most professions. This resume has plenty of room for your work experience. Also includes a second page and a cover letter.

Cream Minimalist Professional Resume

Bit more creative resume layout with plenty of room to list your skills. You shouldn’t list the secondary school in your resume especially when you have pursued a higher education. You can use the extra space under education to list related certifications or licenses.

Canva Resume for Students

This template is great for an entry-level applicant with very little work experience. It has an emphasis on skills and education.

Gray Modern Resume Design

Even this template has a photo, you can easily remove it without interfering with the layout. It has a good amount of space for work experience however you should not list references in your resume unless asked for. You could use that section for something else.

Light Yellow Bold CV

This template as well has a photo which can be deleted without interfering with the layout. It has a nice use of color that gives it a little extra. Other than that it’s quite a minimal design. This resume actually has 2 pages but you should aim to make it one page and include your education on the right sidebar which has plenty of empty space.

Elegant Resume

Modern template with a very stylish layout. Has all the essential sections. The header however takes a lot of space and it could be made less in height freeing some more space for work experience.

White Blue Professional Resume

Great for entry-level applicants. Only list job-relevant interests in your resume that accentuate your skills.

Grey and White Minimal Resume

Clear resume layout with a focus on work experience. Since it’s not recommended to list references on your resume unless asked, you could delete the reference section and create even more space for your work experience. When listing your work experience, use bullet points and start each bullet point with an action verb .

How to Create a Canva Resume

After viewing some excellent Canva resume designs. Let’s look at how to utilize Canva resume maker.

1. Create a Canva account

The first step is to register for a Canva account. You may register using your email address, Facebook, or Google. You won’t be charged anything for creating the account, so don’t worry.

2. Choose a Canva Resume Template

You may search here to see Canva resume designs once you’ve registered. Choose the one that appears to be appropriate for your industry.

3. Make necessary changes to the Canva resume

You can alter the text inside a template once you’ve selected it. To edit the text inside each text box, choose it separately. The text may be moved, and its font, size, and formatting can all be modified.

4. Save a copy of your Canva resume

When you’re satisfied with how your Canva resume looks, click the download icon in the upper right corner to save it as a PDF, JPG, or PNG.

Although formatting matters, resume content overrules. If the contents of your resume are weak, even the prettiest design won’t help you land a job.

Recruiters only look at resumes for 7 seconds on average (according to hiring statistics). What are they searching for in that split second? According to one research, recruiters base their recruiting suggestions on candidates’ perceived professional expertise, social abilities, and general intelligence.

How do you demonstrate your expertise and knowledge?

By adjusting your resume to the specifics of the position. You may accomplish this by identifying the essential requirements from the job description and then incorporating them into your skill and experience sections.

We’re a team of writers dedicated to providing insights and tips for navigating the professional world. With a collective wealth of experience across various industries and roles, our team understands the challenges and opportunities that come with seeking meaningful work and advancing your career. We help job seekers to better their careers by offering career advice & free resources. Download free Word resume templates and resume templates for Google Docs .

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