ATS score: 5 / 5
Classic Resume Template
Timeless serif resume template — the safe, senior choice.
Serif typography, centered header, clean hierarchy — the timeless choice for conservative industries like finance, law, and academia.
Alex Johnson
Summary
Results-driven software engineer with 5+ years of experience building scalable web applications. Proficient in React, TypeScript, and Node.js. Passionate about creating clean, maintainable code and delivering exceptional user experiences.
Experience
Education
Skills
JavaScript • TypeScript • React • Node.js • Python • SQL • Git • Docker • AWS • REST APIs • GraphQL • Agile/Scrum
Certifications
Achievements
Projects
Languages
Design traits
Serif (Times New Roman style)
Single-column, centered header
Black + grey, no color
5 / 5
About the Classic template
The Classic template is what hiring managers picture when they think "resume." Centered header, serif body type, consistent vertical rhythm — a design language that's been signaling competence to screening managers for decades. Every layout decision optimizes for ATS parsing first and quiet visual authority second. Bullet points use standard indentation, section headings use uppercase all-caps, and no decoration competes with content for attention. On paper and on screen, it reads the same way a well-typeset book does: you don't notice the typography, which is exactly the point.
Best for
- Finance and banking
- Law firms and legal services
- Academia and research
- Government roles
- Senior accountants and CPAs
- Medical and clinical positions
Skip it if
- Creative and design roles (looks too formal)
- Early-career applicants (projects and internships need more space)
- Tech startups where a modern feel signals cultural fit
When to use the Classic template
Pick Classic when you're applying to a conservative industry, to a senior role where gravitas matters, or to any employer where "surprising design" is a liability rather than a signal. Partners at law firms, tenure-track academics, senior finance directors — this is the template they expect from serious candidates. Skip Classic if you're applying to a startup or creative role where the resume itself is a portfolio piece; the aesthetic will read as out-of-touch. Also skip if you have less than three years of experience — Classic's balance leans empty when the content is thin.
Still deciding? Every template in our catalog is ATS-tested and passes the major applicant tracking systems. Switch between any of the 12 designs with a single click in the editor — your content stays the same.
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Start with the Classic template — free
Fill it in on our live editor, download your PDF (recommended for ATS) or editable Word file, send your application. Free to use — unlock watermark-free downloads with a one-time 30-day Pass.
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