Writing a resume is no fun. Although it is supposed to launch one into a new chapter of career or even life, developing your main marketing document often brings nothing but frustration. With that being said, resume templates often become a viable solution for job seekers (especially those who know nothing about how to write a resume). It doesn't take much time to enter something like "free resume templates" or "resume samples for download" in your browser's search tab and then simply insert your career information into an already organized document. The question is whether such approach is effective enough. Will using a resume template make you look lazy and uncreative? Or will it help you develop a well-organized resume and position yourself as a strong candidate? It can actually do either of these.
How to Use Resume Templates
Your resume has up to 10 seconds to make that first impression. And with job applications, you won't get a second chance. So using a resume template can be another way of saying "I am nothing special really, just like everyone else..." Unless you want to apply for a job that calls for an 'average candidate', you don't want to make that kind of impression. Instead, you want to stand out as a candidate who sets himself/herself apart from the run-of-the-mill job seekers. Blindly following a resume template will not help you accomplish that mission.
The thing is that when you are using a resume format developed by someone else (be it a resume template or sample), you are allowing some random guys dictate what you should say to your employer and how you should say it. Besides, from our experience (many our clients order our resume writing services because the resume templates they used brought them nowhere in terms of job search) a lot of the resume templates are substandard. No one knows who developed which templates which makes it all the more confusing. However, it doesn't mean that resume templates cannot be used at all in order to write an effective resume. If you understand basic things about how hiring managers review and evaluate resumes, it is quite likely you will be able to take ideas from the templates and samples. Some sources offer professional resume templates categorized by the industries which can help you study what structure will be good for your specific target job. Nursing resume templates, engineering resume templates, designer resume templates - there are all kinds of documents available today. Some of them can really be helpful in understanding how to present career information in a way that would be appealing to prospective employers. Therefore, you can take ideas from the templates and samples to match your own career objective.
Keep in mind though, that a resume you will submit should have your own message of the main selling points that you have, things that set you apart from the crowd of other candidates, and value you can bring to the employer. We recommend you figure those things out first and only then you start surfing through the templates to identify which of them suit your needs.
What If I Still Can't Write My Own Resume?
Some people doubt whether they can deliver a document that will land them job interviews. As a result, they don't even want to try. We would encourage people to try anyway as many of them are better in writing than they think they are. Besides, one can always check our career advice blog that contains tons of information on how to write an effective resume. But if that doesn't work, you can always order resume services from our company. Our career experts will work to develop a document that will inevitably attract employers opening some fantastic opportunities for you.
