
14+ Basic and Simple Resume Template (Examples Easy to Use)
Not only do our simple resume templates please the recruiter's eye, but they are also ATS-scannable. Here's a selection of our best basic CV templates you can download now.
Listing projects on a resume can instantly boost your chances of job hunting success. See how both freelancers and regular workers can harness the power of projects.
Sending out the same old resume isn’t doing you any favors. Recruiters see hundreds of candidates for every job.
Write a boring cookie-cutter resume and you might as well just throw it in the trash.
But—
What if there was one easy addition to your resume that would instantly increase your chances of getting a job and made you look more attractive to recruiters?
You’d add it in a flash right?
Well, there is. All you need to do is list projects on your resume.
Read on and you’ll see:
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
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Need something more specific? See:
Once you're done with this guide, check out these guides for project-oriented professions:
Haven't found the one you are looking for? See: Best Resume Samples for 500+ Jobs
How to list projects on a resume?
Projects can be listed on a resume below a job description as accomplishments. You can also list them in a separate section titled Projects, Personal Projects, and Academic Projects. Academic projects can be included in the education resume section. You can also create a project-oriented resume.
Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty of each approach—
1
In today’s gig economy a standard cookie-cutter resume doesn’t always work. For a freelance contractor, including all of your projects on a resume the old school way can cause problems.
Here’s why.
The chronological format is the standard for resumes. It sets out your work experience by listing your most recent job first and working back from there in reverse chronological order.
Recruiters love it, because it’s easy to make sure your experience is relevant and job title matches the job description.
But picture this, you’re a tech freelancer going for a contract coding a cool Python project for a web application. Your Python skills are legendary, but you’re no one-trick pony. Your last gig on your resume is a Java project.
Problem is recruiters only spend seven seconds on each resume, so chances are they won’t bother scanning further than the first entry.
They’ll think you’re unqualified then move on to the next candidate.
Here’s how to list projects on your resume to stop that happening. Create a functional resume.
Here’s how to code it:
And when structuring your resume, remember it should only be one or two pages long.
Here’s an example of how to list projects on a resume:
Project 1: Updating fintechnews.com (Fintech News Inc.) BackendDeveloper
Duration: Three months
Technologies Used: Python, PHP, Ruby, Javascript.
Remember this format works great for freelancers in other industries, too. Even if your whole work history is based on freelance projects you can still write a great resume.
A word of caution. Functional format resumes may not get through older ATS resume scans.
Chances are that freelancing gigs are reviewed by human decision-makers, so this isn’t an issue. But if you’ve decided to go for a full-time corporate job, it’s best to assume ATS will be used so stick to the more traditional chronological format.
See more: How to List Freelance Work on a Resume
2
Projects aren’t just for freelancers. They’re a great resume addition for traditional types of employment, too.
One way to include projects in your resume is to highlight them in your work experience section.
Here’s how:
Here’s an example:
Systron Solutions, San Francisco, CA
Inside Sales Associate
June 2015–Present
Key Projects: Worked with IT team to create a new web-based leads-generating system, resulting in closed sales increasing by 18% contributing to a $1.5 million increase in profits.
Those two extra lines really add some wow factor.
Alternatively, include projects as an additional resume section.
Recruiters love extra sections, they’re like a delicious buttercream cake frosting for your resume. A regular old cake is good, but the frosting makes it great.
This is how to add a projects section to your resume:
Here’s how it would look on a resume.
Key Projects
This approach is nice and flexible, too. You can target your resume for different jobs by simply swapping out different projects depending on what you’re applying for. Plus, it might help you deal with multiple positions with the same company on your resume.
Projects aren’t just for experienced professionals though.
For a complete guide on resume writing, check out: How to Write a Job-Winning Resume: Professional Guide
3
If you’re writing a recent college graduate resume or you’re still studying, you’ll know the feeling. Writing a resume without work experience is tough.
But—
You can instantly add more credibility by putting college or academic projects on your resume.
Here’s how to put coursework projects on your education section:
Here’s an example.
B.S. in Computer Engineering
University of California, Riverside, CA
Completion: 2019
Programming Projects
Coding a Chat Application in Java
Fall 2018
Student resumes will also benefit from including the following:
Don't put your high school education on a resume if you're already in college though!
Pro Tip: You can also put personal projects on your resume. The candidate above could’ve created some coding projects in their spare time. Just follow the instructions above for adding a separate projects section to your resume and title it “Personal Projects.”
And that’s it. Projects on a resume for every situation.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Adding projects is an easy way to make your resume stand out like a peacock at a penguin convention.
How to list projects on s resume:
Not only do our simple resume templates please the recruiter's eye, but they are also ATS-scannable. Here's a selection of our best basic CV templates you can download now.
Great skills? Amazing layout? Good work history section? What’s the secret behind a *perfect* resume? You’ve come to the right place to find out.
There’s always room for improvement. Learn our 12 best tips on how to improve your resume to make it one in a million.