Compact Resume Template
Tighter leading, tighter margins and two-line entry headers that pack organisation, role, dates and location efficiently. Every spacing decision is made in favour of fitting more in while staying readable.
Use the Compact template
Drop in the resume you already have and get it back in this design, ready to edit and download.
Free, and no account needed to start.
When to use it
Reach for this when you have fifteen years of experience and a hard one or two page limit. It is the design that buys you the most room without dropping to an unreadable type size.
- Long careers with a strict page limit
- Senior applicants with a lot to cover
- Anyone whose CV runs just over a page
- Roles that explicitly cap CV length
Resume examples using Compact
Real, filled-in examples so you can see how the design handles actual content rather than placeholder text.
Similar designs
Frequently asked questions
Is the Compact resume template ATS-friendly?
Yes. Compact is built for applicant tracking software: no colour fills behind text, a clean top-to-bottom reading order and standard section headings, so a parser extracts the same content a person reads. You can confirm it on your own resume with our free ATS resume checker.
Is the Compact template free?
Compact is a Pro design, but you can still build your resume in it for free: drop in the resume you already have on this page and we will render it in Compact so you can see the result before deciding anything.
What font does the Compact template use?
Compact is set in Source Sans 3, in a single-column layout with tight spacing that fits more on the page. You can change the typeface, text size, spacing and accent colour after your CV is created.
Are these resume templates free?
Yes. You can fill in a template, preview it and download a PDF without paying. A JobSprout account is free, and some of the designs are marked Pro, which unlocks with a subscription. There is always a free design available in every style.
Can I edit a resume template after I download it?
Yes. Your CV stays in your account, so you can change the content, switch to a different design, adjust the colour, font size and spacing, and download a fresh PDF whenever you need one. Switching design never loses your content, because the content and the layout are stored separately.
Will these templates pass an ATS?
The designs marked ATS-friendly are built for it: no colour fills behind text, a clean reading order and standard section headings. Any CV you build can also be checked against a real parser with our free ATS resume checker, which shows you exactly what a screening system extracts.
What file format do I get?
A print-quality PDF, which is what nearly every employer and application portal asks for. The PDF keeps a real text layer rather than being an image, so screening software can read it and so can a screen reader.
Should I put a photo on my resume?
In the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada and Australia, no. Employers there usually prefer no photo, and some screening processes strip them to reduce bias. In much of continental Europe and parts of Asia a photo is still conventional. Check the norm where you are applying, and leave it off if you are unsure.
How long should my resume be?
One page if you have under roughly ten years of relevant experience, and always for students and graduates. Two pages are normal for senior, academic or highly technical roles. An academic CV is the exception and runs as long as your publication and funding record requires.