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What Should You Delete From a Resume Template?

The leftovers people most often send by mistake, and a quick pass to catch them all before the file goes out.

In this guide
  • Delete placeholder instructions
  • Remove sample skills and metrics
  • Drop empty sections
  • Remove irrelevant old content
  • Check headers, links, and metadata

1. Delete every placeholder and instruction

Remove bracketed text, sample names, “add metric here” notes, and instructions that were useful while editing. Search the document for brackets if the template uses them.

2. Remove sample skills you do not have

Template skills are examples, not recommendations. Keeping a tool or certification you do not actually have can create a serious problem in an interview.

3. Replace fake metrics with real evidence

Do not leave sample percentages or revenue numbers in place. If you do not have a reliable number, write a strong factual bullet without inventing one.

4. Delete empty sections

An empty Certifications, Awards, or Projects section makes the document look unfinished. If you have nothing relevant to put there, remove the section.

5. Cut content that no longer supports the target job

A template gives you space; it does not mean you have to fill every line. Prioritize relevant experience and remove old or repetitive content that distracts from your strongest evidence.

Final cleanup: search for “Lorem,” brackets, “Company Name,” “Job Title,” “Month Year,” and any example email or phone number before exporting.

6. Check links and document properties

Make sure portfolio and LinkedIn links point to your profiles. If you downloaded a file, use a clean filename before uploading it to an application.

7. Read the resume from top to bottom one last time

Template cleanup is finished when nothing on the page looks like an instruction, example, or unused design element.

Then fill it properly

Once the sample is gone, use the matching example to decide what belongs: resume examples by job covers 100+ roles, for instance the Teacher Resume Example, which is fully written out. Then tailor it to the posting and export the PDF. Starting from scratch instead? The free resume-building guide is the beginning of the sequence.

Related resources: Put the advice into practice with Traditional Resume, compare simple resume formats when you need another format, and continue with the how to build a resume for free for the next step.
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