There is more to resume templates then just getting one that looks good. The reason there are such a wide variety of resume templates available is that different jobs and industries have different requirement for the information and organization of the information included on the resume.
Using resume templates can insure that you are organizing and presenting all of your information in the correct format and professionally. Often, your resume is the first encounter that you have with potential employers and as they say, first impressions are everything. If your resume is not up to standard, you won’t even get a call for an interview. In addition to using resume templates to make sure you are presenting your information appropriately, you should also carefully review your resume for any typos. A single mistake can lose you the chance for a position.
How to Choose Resume Templates
When choosing from an array of resume templates there are many things to consider. First, make sure that you can use the template in the word processing program that you are using. Do not try to convert templates between formats, if you do this, chances are the layout that is coded into the template will not survive the transition.
The second consideration is making sure the template is in a format that the employer can read. If you do not know, ask. Do not call the person doing the interviews directly but call the main receptionist or human resources, tell them you are preparing to submit a resume and you want to verify what format would be best. If you don’t and submit a format that they do not have then one of two things will happen. Either they will not be able to read your resume at all or, they will convert it and the layout will get jumbled.
If you absolutely cannot find out what is their preferred format for submission, save the resume to the PDF format. PDF is a global standard and PDF reading software is available for free. It is not an unreasonable expectation that the business will have or download the software.
Another consideration with resume templates is the appropriateness of the design. While some industries have very specific formats and restrictions on how a resume should appear, what information should be included and in what order; there are many jobs that do not make such distinctions.
Personality and Creativity Important
There are also positions, particularly those in creative fields, which do not want a ‘cookie cutter’ resume, but something that reflects the personality and creativity of the applicant. The best way to discover what is appropriate for the industry you are applying to is to perform an Internet search for the words ‘resume [industry] sample.’ If you were getting ready to apply for a position as a dog groomer you would search for, “resume dog groomer sample.’ Like-wise, if you are seeking employment in the insurance underwriting industry you would enter, ‘resume insurance underwriter sample.’ There are many online sites that maintain libraries of samples either to showcase their resume templates or, because they are a part of the industry and trying to educate applicants. You will also find that people have posted their resumes online and looking at what other people have done is an excellent way to gauge what is appropriate.
Start Using Resume Templates Today
Resume templates are great time saving devices. You don’t have to worry about fiddling with layout, fonts and line spacing when you use one. A resume template can also insure that you are presenting your information in a manner that will most appeal to an employer. Spend some time on the Internet searching for templates and samples before settling on the one that both appeals to you and meets your needs.