11 Black and White Resume Templates

Not sure where to start writing your new resume? A black and white resume template is an excellent choice for all situations and industries. Black and white resume templates present a clean, professional, and modern job history that make it easy for hiring managers to glean what you offer.

Let’s look at some black and white resume templates in more detail!

Professional Black and White Resume Template

The ATS black and white resume template is a basic, standard template that allows your skills and experience to be the center of attention. This professional black and white resume template has been specifically designed to be easily readable by ATS software, to get you in front of a real hiring manager.

Simple Black and White Resume Templates

5 Example Layouts of Clean Black and White Resume Format

How to Create a Black and White Resume

Many people need to create black and white resumes as part of their job search. A black and white resume is most commonly used in applications, because the simple, straightforward color scheme means there are no distractions from your skills and work experience.

Begin with a summary of your workstory. A resume summary should only be 1-2 sentences, and avoid personal pronouns such as “I” or “me.” Remember to include data and other measurable information so that a hiring manager gets the best possible first impression of you.

Next, you’ll discuss your work history. The experience section of a resume is the most important part, and the same is true for black and white resumes. After all, if you’re choosing a black and white resume to better showcase your experience, you’ll need to make sure that experience is presented well!

For each job you’ve held, include the company name, your job title, and the length of time you were employed. Then, include 2-4 bullet points summarizing your time at each position. Use numbers wherever possible: don’t just say “improved email open rates,” say “used A/B testing to analyze user engagement, improving email open rates by 73% as a result.”

Finally, you’ll add your education. If you don’t have much work experience, this section can be longer. You can provide information about your GPA, volunteer or intern experience, or any relevant clubs or teams you were involved in. If you have more than two relevant work experience entries, you don’t need to include as much in your education section. Instead, state the institution, award or diploma received, and the years you attended.

Best Fonts for Black and White Resumes

Because your black and white resume is designed to be simple and straightforward, your font choice should be the same. Choose common, easily-readable fonts such as Times New Roman, Garamond, Ariel, or Helvetica.

Keep in mind that serif fonts (fonts with “feet”) have been designed to be more easily readable for longer paragraphs. If your resume is long, or contains a long section, a serif font such as Times New Roman could improve readability.

Black and White vs Color Resume Template

You may be considering the pros and cons between a black and white resume template and a color resume template. If you aren’t sure which to use, a black and white resume template is always a safe bet – black and white resume templates are clear, clean, and inoffensive.

Example of a Black and White Resume for a Modern Look

Our Vida resume template is sleek and modern, making it an excellent black and white resume template for those looking to present themselves the same way. This resume template would be a great option for those applying to tech jobs, since it’s straightforward as well as modern.

Example of a Black and White Resume with a Pop of Color

Arya is a black and white resume template with a pop of color. If you’re looking to demonstrate a little bit of personality, or catch a hiring manager’s eye in an unobtrusive way, adding a pop of color to a black and white resume is a fantastic way to do so!

Example of a Black and White Resume for a Traditional Job

In traditional jobs, black and white resume templates are usually the standard. White collar jobs such as law or financial services, as well as industrial jobs such as electricians and plumbers, usually expect a standard black and white resume template. Our Air template is an excellent example of a black and white resume for a traditional job.

Example Black and White Resume for Creative Professions

Black and white resumes can also be incredibly useful for creative professions! Many creative professionals believe they need to demonstrate their creativity right off the bat – while this can be useful, it can also be polarizing. Often, playing it more on the safe side is a good way to make a positive first impression. Plus, our Chloe resume template, pictured here, is fully customizable, meaning you could add additional design elements or colors.

Are Black and White Resumes for College Students?

College students can see great success in their job searches using a black and white resume! Black and white resumes allow college students to appear professional and knowledgeable regarding the norms of the professional world.