How to Make a Resume in Google Docs: Step-by-Step (Templates + From Scratch)

Quick answer: To make a resume in Google Docs, open Google Docs, click Template gallery, scroll to "Resumes," and pick a template (Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, or Modern Writer), or start a blank document for a cleaner, more ATS-friendly layout. Set margins in File > Page setup, choose a clean font like Arial, Lato, or Calibri at 10–12 pt, add your sections (header, summary, experience, education, skills), and line up dates on the right using a right-aligned tab stop. When you're done, File > Download > PDF Document to save it, or use Share to send a view-only link.

Google Docs is free, works in any browser, saves automatically, and lets you edit your resume from your laptop, phone, or the library computer with the sticky "E" key. That makes it one of the easiest ways to build a resume.

The catch: Google Docs has fewer formatting tools than Word, and its templates can be a bit quirky. This guide shows you how to get a clean, professional result, using Google resume templates or starting from scratch.

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Option 1: Use a Google Docs Resume Template

1. Go to docs.google.com (sign in to your Google account)
2. Click Template gallery at the top right (or File > New > From template inside a document)
3. Scroll to the Resumes section
4. Choose a template: Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, or Modern Writer
5. Replace the placeholder text with your information
6. Delete sections you don't need and rename headings if necessary

Which template is best? Swiss and Serif are the simplest and most traditional. Coral and Spearmint add a little color. Modern Writer uses a monospace font that's distinctive but less conventional. All are single column, which is good for ATS. For a comparison of templates, see Google Docs resume templates.

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Option 2: Make a Resume in Google Docs From Scratch

Step 1: Set up the page

• Open a blank document
• File > Page setup:
  • Make sure Pages (not Pageless) is selected
  • Paper size: Letter (US/Canada) or A4 (most other countries)
  • Margins: 0.5–1 inch on all sides (0.75 is a good balance)
• Font: Arial, Lato, Roboto, Open Sans, Georgia, or Merriweather. See best fonts for a resume
• Line spacing: Format > Line & paragraph spacing > Single, and remove extra space before/after paragraphs if needed

Step 2: Add your header

Type your name in 18–22 pt bold, then one line of contact details:

Step 3: Add section headings

Bold, 12–14 pt: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills. To add a line under headings, use Insert > Horizontal line.

Step 4: Add your summary

Two to four sentences: role, experience, key skills, and a result. See how to write a resume summary.

Step 5: Add experience with right-aligned dates

Google Docs uses tab stops to align dates neatly:

1. Turn on the ruler: View > Show ruler
2. Click on the line with your job title
3. Click on the ruler at the right margin and choose Add right tab stop
4. Type the job title, press Tab, then type the dates

Add bullets: Format > Bullets & numbering, or press Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Cmd + Shift + 8 on Mac). Write three to five bullets per job with action verbs and numbers. See resume bullet points.

Step 6: Add education and skills

List your degree, school, and dates, then 8–15 relevant skills. See how to list a degree on a resume.

Step 7: Review the layout

Zoom out to see the full page, check alignment and spacing, and make sure it fits on one page if you have under 10 years of experience.

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Google Docs Resume Formatting Tips

• Use Pages mode, not Pageless, so you can see where page breaks fall
• Use headings styles (Format > Paragraph styles) to keep section titles consistent
• Avoid tables for main content. Some templates use them; ATS may read them poorly
• Avoid headers and footers for your contact info
• Use simple bullets, not emoji or icons
• Check the PDF after downloading. Formatting sometimes shifts slightly

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How to Download Your Resume From Google Docs

1. Click File > Download
2. Choose PDF Document (.pdf) for most applications
3. Choose Microsoft Word (.docx) if an employer asks for Word
4. Rename the file clearly, for example Jane-Smith-Resume.pdf

See resume PDF or Word and how to name your resume file.

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How to Share Your Google Docs Resume as a Link

Only share a link if the employer asks for one, or for informal networking.

1. Click Share (top right)
2. Under General access, change "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link"
3. Set the role to Viewer (not Editor!)
4. Click Copy link

Giving "Editor" access means anyone with the link can change your resume. That's a risk not worth taking.

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Make a Resume in Google Docs on Your Phone

The Google Docs app (iPhone and Android) lets you edit your resume on the go. You can start from a template by tapping + > Choose template, then edit, and export with ⋮ > Share & export > Save as > PDF. Formatting is easier on a computer, so use your phone for quick edits. See how to make a resume on your phone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs have resume templates?

Yes. Open the Template gallery and scroll to the Resumes section to find Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer.

Are Google Docs resumes ATS-friendly?

Yes, if you use a simple single-column layout, standard headings, and common fonts, and download as a text-based PDF or Word file.

How do I get rid of the "Pageless" format?

Go to File > Page setup and choose Pages. This shows page breaks so you can keep your resume to one page.

How do I make two columns in Google Docs for a resume?

Use Format > Columns, but single-column resumes are safer for ATS. See two-column resume.

Can I make a resume in Google Docs for free?

Yes. Google Docs and its resume templates are free with a Google account.

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Want a Faster Option?

Our Resume Builder handles the formatting for you, with ATS-friendly templates, AI-written bullet suggestions, and one-click PDF downloads.