Resume Format in Colombia: Free Template to Fill Out in PDF and Word

If you're looking for a résumé format to fill out, you most likely have a job opening in sight and little time. The good news: in Colombia there is no single mandatory format for the private sector. What does exist is a structure that recruiters expect to see, plus a couple of special formats worth knowing before you send anything.

In this guide we explain which format to use depending on the type of job, what each section should include, and how to create your résumé for free, without registering, with the Colombia Move résumé creator. You can download it as a PDF or Word file in a few minutes.

What résumé format to use in Colombia

Before filling in any template, define where you're going to send it. There are three different situations:

• Private companies and job portals. There is no official format here. A clean résumé of one or two pages, with clear sections, works better than any overloaded design.
• Public entities and contracts with the State. Law 190 of 1995 requires the Single Résumé Format from Función Pública for anyone applying for a public position or a service provision contract with the administration. That format is completed in the entity's system (SIGEP) and cannot be replaced with your own template.
• Printed Minerva-type forms. Some employers still ask for the résumé in the commercial form sold at stationery stores. If the job posting requires it, use it. If it doesn't mention it, a well-organized résumé of your own makes a better impression.

ATS format or classic format: which to choose

Many large companies and job banks filter applications with selection software (ATS). These systems read text, not design. If your résumé has complicated columns, text inside images, or decorative tables, the system may read it incorrectly and reject you before a person ever sees it.

• ATS-compatible format: a single column, standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills), normal fonts, and no graphics. It is the safest option for applying online.
• Classic format: sober and formal, similar to the printed version. It works well for handing in person, in small business processes, or when they ask for it by email.
• Modern format: with some color and an optional photo. It is useful when a person will read the résumé directly, for example in retail, services, or customer service.

In the Colombia Move creator you can switch templates without rewriting anything, so you can have an ATS version for portals and a classic one to hand in printed.

What a résumé in Colombia should include

This is the order most Colombian recruiters expect:

1. Personal details. Full name, cédula number, mobile phone, email, city. A photo is optional: it is common in Colombia, but not required, and it should not be a selfie. You don't need to include religion, marital status, or other sensitive data.
2. Professional profile. Three to five lines that summarize who you are, what you can do, and what you're looking for. It is the first thing read, so adapt it to each job opening.
3. Work experience. From most recent to oldest: position, company, city, dates, and two to four concrete achievements. Write results, not just duties.
4. Education. High school diploma, technical, technologist, professional, or postgraduate degree, with institution and year. Include short courses only if they are relevant to the position.
5. Languages and skills. State your real level of English or another language and the tools you use (Excel, accounting software, driver's license, etc.).
6. References. In Colombia it is common to include work and personal references with name, relationship, and phone number. Always let your references know before you list them.

The Colombia Move creator includes all these sections in the Colombian format and shows you a score of how complete your résumé is, with tips on what's missing.

How to write a professional profile that actually gets read

The profile is the section most often done wrong. Phrases like "responsible, proactive person eager to learn" say nothing because everyone uses them. A useful profile answers three questions: what you do, how much experience you have, and what you contribute.

Weak example: "I am a responsible person with a good attitude, looking to grow in a company."

Strong example: "Accounting assistant with three years of experience in bank reconciliations and electronic invoicing. I work with Siigo and intermediate Excel. Looking for a position in the accounting area of a commercial company in Medellín."

If you struggle to write it, the creator has an AI assistant that proposes a clearer version of your profile and achievements based on what you write. Always review the suggestion: it should sound like you and not invent experience you don't have.

Mistakes that get a résumé rejected

• Unprofessional emails. Use one with your name.
• Spelling mistakes. Read it out loud or ask someone to review it.
• More than two pages for no reason. If you have little experience, one page is enough.
• Dates that don't add up or unexplained gaps. If you were studying or doing freelance work, say so.
• Sending it in a format that gets distorted. Send a PDF unless Word is expressly requested.
• Using the same résumé for every job opening. Adjust at least the profile and the order of your achievements.

For a more in-depth guide on achievements, common mistakes, and differences between résumés for technology and traditional jobs, read how to write a résumé that gets interviews in Colombia.

PDF or Word: how to send your résumé

A PDF keeps the design on any computer or phone, which is why it is the best default option. Word is useful when the employer wants to edit the document or when a portal only accepts that format. With the Colombia Move creator you can download both from the same draft.

Also have ready the documents that are usually requested after the interview: a copy of your cédula, study certificates, and the criminal record certificates from Policía, Procuraduría and Contraloría.

After creating it: where to use your résumé

A résumé saved on your computer won't get you interviews. Once you finish, you can use it right away on Colombia Move:

• Publish your "looking for work" profile. From the creator, with one click, you can build an ad with your profile so employers can find you. Review it before publishing.
• Apply to real job openings. Browse the active job openings by city and category.
• Negotiate with data. Check how much is paid for each position in salaries in Colombia and calculate how much you would actually take home with the net salary calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a mandatory résumé format in Colombia?

Only for the public sector: anyone applying for a public position or a service provision contract with the State must use the Single Résumé Format from Función Pública. For private companies there is no mandatory format.

Should I put a photo on my résumé?

It is optional, unless the job posting expressly asks for it. In Colombia it is common to include one. If you include it, use a front-facing photo, with a light background and a professional look. When applying in English to companies in the United States or Europe, it is usual not to include it.

How many references should I include?

The usual number is two work references and two personal ones, with name, relationship to you, and phone number. Work references should be bosses or colleagues who know your work; personal references should be people who have known you for years and are not family members. Ask permission before including them so the call doesn't catch them by surprise.

Can I make my résumé in English?

Yes. The Colombia Move creator lets you generate the résumé in Spanish or English, useful for remote jobs, bilingual call centers, or foreign companies.

Does the résumé creator have any cost?

No. It is free and does not require registration. Your draft is saved in the browser of the device where you create it, so you can close the page and continue later. If you change computers or clear your browser data, download your résumé as a PDF or Word file beforehand.

How many pages should a résumé have?

One page if you have little experience and a maximum of two if you have several years in the job market. What matters is that every line adds something to the position you're applying for.