What is Stanford Resume Template?
The Stanford resume template is a clean single-column format provided by Stanford Career Education. It follows the same conservative structure as the Harvard template — Education, Experience, Skills — with a focus on quantified bullet points and standard headings. The template is distributed as a Word document and is fully ATS-friendly. It is recommended for students and professionals across tech, business, and academia.
Who it's best for
Students and professionals in tech, business, or academia who want a clean, conservative single-column resume.
When to avoid it
Creative professionals who need visual design. Engineers who want a Projects-forward layout (use Jake's instead).
ATS compatibility
Single-column, standard headings, no tables or graphics. Parses cleanly in all major ATS systems.
Structure
Stanford Resume Template uses a single-column layout with the following sections, in order:
Header
Name in bold, contact info below. No photo, no icons.
Education
University, degree, graduation date, GPA (if 3.5+). Relevant coursework and honors.
Experience
Organization, role, location, dates. 3-4 bullet points with quantified achievements.
Skills
Technical skills, languages, certifications grouped by category.
Why Stanford Resume Template works
- Clean, conservative format accepted across all industries.
- Single-column and ATS-safe.
- Word format is easy to edit without special software.
- Standard headings ensure parser compatibility.
How to customize it
- 1Move Experience above Education for experienced professionals.
- 2Add a Projects section for technical roles.
- 3Change the font to Calibri or Arial for a modern look.
- 4Adjust margins to 0.75 inch to fit more content.
Stanford Resume Template at a glance
| Format | Word (.docx) |
|---|---|
| Columns | Single |
| ATS-safe | Yes |
| Font | Calibri or Times New Roman |
| License | Public (Stanford Career Education) |
| Page length | One page |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | Free |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Stanford resume template ATS-friendly?
Yes. It is single-column with standard headings and no tables or graphics. It parses cleanly in all major ATS systems.
How does the Stanford template compare to Harvard's?
They are very similar — both are single-column, conservative, Word-based templates with Education leading. The Stanford template is slightly more flexible for tech roles, while the Harvard template is more traditional for finance and consulting.
Can I use the Stanford template if I didn't go to Stanford?
Yes. The template is publicly available and can be used by anyone. Replace Stanford's name with your own university.