Drafting A Resume Outline
Can you walk me through your resume and have total confidence that youll vibe with the interviewer and land your dream job?
I cant count how many times Ive been asked, whats the best information to;put on my resume? Do it all for me!
OK, I added that last part, but the gist is the same: People tend to seriously overthink what belongs and what doesnt matter in a resume.
A super-easy way to break through that kind of resume writers block is to draft a resume outline.
But always remember this: No one but you will ever see this document!
Seriously, dont worry about being perfect at this step because its never perfect after the first shot.
Dont even bother with spelling or grammar because youll most likely change the outline over and over until it hits right.
Design Your Next Resume With Job Resume Templates
You don’t have time to do everything. So, find ways to skip ahead and still create a resume you feel great about. That makes using job resume templates a no-brainer.
Whether you subscribe to Envato Elements;or purchase one-off templates from GraphicRiver, both of these marketplaces are stocked with the types of modern professional resume templates that never go out of style. Go ahead and download your favorite resume template today and begin updating your cool resume today.
Note:;Our staff updates this post;regularly, adding the best new professional resume design templates.
Tips For Using Templates
It is important that your resume and cover letter are professional and polished. They need to be visually appealing, properly formatted, and well-written. Templates can help you structure your letter and resume so that they are well-organized.
Templates help you with the layout of your documents. They also show you what elements you need to include in your letters, such as introductions and body paragraphs.
A template also simply helps you save time. It gives you a suggested structure for your documents, so you can quickly start writing.
You should use a template as a starting point for your letters and resumes. However, be sure to change the elements of the template to fit your own needs.
For example, if a cover letter template only has one-paragraph body, but you want to include two, you should do so. Similarly, if you do not want to have a skills section in your resume, but your template has one, you can simply delete it.
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So What Is A Job Seeker To Do
Heres my plan. Go out and Google resumes in your field, both templates and resumes from actual people who have posted their documents publicly. Save up to 10 decent ones and start reading and getting a feel for the language, layout and formats. Then delete all the saved resumes and start with your own from a blank canvas. I assure you that you will be full of inspiration from others and instead of copying what they have written, you will now cherry pick their components and putting them on paper with your own words. Writing a resume from scratch is hard work but its doable for all of us and one thing is certain: it will get noticed.
Why Shouldnt I Use A Resume Template
Some job seekers believe that employers frown upon the use of templates, but its not true. Resume templates are just an easy way to give your application an attractive design and help you organize your information.
However, many people still prefer not to use a template. If, for example, you have a knack for graphic design and want to create your own one-of-a-kind resume, then using a template isnt for you.
If thats the case, you can make a resume in Microsoft Word or Google Docs without a template. But to help you do this, we suggest learning how to write a resume properly first, and using a resume outline to help guide you through the process just so you make sure to include all the essential information.
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When To Use A Resume Template
Some people are under the false impression that they should always make a resume from scratch in order to stand out to prospective employers.
The problem with this is that not only does a jobseeker lose time on the task at hand but unless they have a background in design, resume formatting and the general layout may be difficult to master.
Using a resume template is often faster, more efficient and offers the possibility to showcase your personality alongside your professionalism, which is by far the best way to catch a hiring managers attention.
If you already have a resume but you need to update your work history or your skills, the best way to ensure that you get the most out of your resume is to use a resume template that is specially designed to highlight your strengths.
How To Find Word Resume Templates
You can find free Word resume templates right in the programin recent versions by clicking on File > New From Template and scrolling through or searching for resume. You can also search for resume templates offered by Microsoft Office online here.
If youd like a Word template but not necessarily one that comes directly from Microsofts library, you can turn to Jobscan, Hloom, and other sources for free templates or pay for one on sites like Etsy. Some career coaches offer original templates on their websites, too .
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Use Bullet Points Where Appropriate
Using bullet points in your experience, skills or education sections allows employers to easily read the most relevant information from your background. Bullet points should be used to list your achievements. Avoid using only one or two bullet points in a single section if you have less than three pieces of information, simply list them without bullets in sentence form or use other punctuation to separate different ideas.
For example, when describing a role youve held in the experience section of your resume, you would use bullets to communicate how you were successful in that role:
- Consistently operated overhead cranes, hoists, power tools and other project equipment safely
- Anticipated needs of 11 on-site workers and delivered parts to 23 field technicians
-
Completed weekly service reports, time cards and other related project equipment paperwork
In the education section, you might not have three or more ideas to share, so it might look something like this without bullet points:
CORAL SPRINGS UNIVERSITY, May 2020Juris Doctor
Related:Using Bullet Points To Make Your Resume More Readable
Resumes For Executive And Management Positions
Management and executive resumes highlight supervisory experience and business management. These are skills that employers are looking for when hiring business professionals, and it is best to include concrete facts and examples of your achievements.
You might also consider developing a curriculum vitae and have that available as well. CVs offer a focus on awards, publications, teaching experience, and so on, which might be valuable during a job search in a creative field.
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Craft Paper Style Resume
Another bold resume template choice, this job resume has the feel of being printed on fancy craft paper for a more “organic” feel to the design. It focuses on a few key details: experience, education, and skills. Less is more when it comes to showcasing your credentials; use a resume like this one as the start of the conversation instead of your entire story.
- compatible with Adobe Photoshop
Free Modern Resume Templates For Word
Modern resume templates for Word cannot just look good and stylish. They must be perfectly readable and scannable.
Why?
Recruiters will only spend 7 seconds skimming your resume, and if in this time theyre unable to find the information theyre looking for theyll reject your document without batting an eyelash.
Thats why our gallery of free modern resume templates for Word has been put together with readability and great looks in mind.
Each guide on the list above will show you, step-by-step, how to turn a blank document into a job-winning resume.
This free resume template for Microsoft Word has a two-column layout, prominent skills section, and a stylish header. .
Expert Hint: The top section of your resume is the right place for your contact information. Learn how to write the best resume header.
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Which Resume Categories Do I Include
Organizing your resume is just as important as formatting it. Many resumes are put together by job seekers who arent sure of how to organize their information, resulting in a resume that lacks focus.
You always want to make sure that your categories are well defined and organized appropriately for not only who you are, but the type of resume that youre using .
Here are the categories that you need to include on your resume:
Make Sure Theres Enough Space
In some cases, a template looks really nice, but it doesnt actually give the space you need in order to properly give your previous experience the attention it deserves, Augustine says. Sure, you should be succinct, but you also want to have room to include your most important points without shrinking the font down to an illegible size.
At the same time, you want to pick a template thats clean and has some white space, says Viviano. You dont want to end up with a resume thats too jam packed with words.
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Resume Templates Are The Devil Unless Susan Ireland Sells Them Then Its Perfectly Legitimate Wait A Minute
The article takes a bizarre turn when TheLadders interviews Susan Ireland about the merits of resume templates. Susan argues sensibly that it isnt cheating to use a resume template theyre more like tools. Furthermore, she bluntly states that professional resume writers use their own templates anyway.
Not a single professional resume writer is starting with a blank page to make a resume. And here we all were, thinking resume templates were the devil.
The articles entire second section is tagged on like a careless afterthought, as though Susans argument doesnt completely demolish the reasoning against using a resume template in the first half of the article.
Heres the reason Susan Ireland takes the practical approach to talking about the merits of resume templates shes a savvy businesswoman who is making money by both selling expensive professional resume writing services and ready-made resume templates for $24.95.
After all, it wouldnt be smart of her to say that the template portion of her business is useless and going to negatively affect the job hunt of her paying customers, would it?
Resume Templates Are Easy To Change And Make Your Own
The hardest part of any creative process is often getting started. But just a little inspiration is often all you need to get those creative juices flowing. And thats where a resume template from Adobe Spark comes in. Everything you need is there on the design page. You can either run with it or use it as the basis for your own unique resume.
Dont worry about any technical issues or design skills. Adobe Spark makes the entire process very simple. You can change just about every aspect of your chosen template. If youre not happy with the background image, swap it out with one of your own. If you think the font is inappropriate, choose something that better reflects the message you want to send.
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Top 5 Resume Formatting Tips
1.Keep your format simple: Remember, you have 10-20 seconds to snag a hiring managers attention. Presenting them with a resume thats overly crowded, hard to read, confusing or just plain messy isnt going to get you the jobits going to get you thrown out. Watch your spacing, font size and margins. Keep it legible!
2.Keep it professional: Avoid cute fonts, gimmicks, scented paper, glitter, odd shapes, or anything that could potentially make an employer look at your resume and question your sanity. Dont print on cheap paper. Show an employer youre serious about the job.
3.Focus on what you did for past employers, not just the job you held. Anyone can push a button. Why were you the best button pusher there was? What set you apart from every other button pusher who came before you and will come after you? Dont just outline the job description. What were your accomplishments while doing that job?
4.Make sure youre selecting the resume format that best reflects who you are, your work history, and the job youre applying for. Keep in mind employment gaps, career trajectory, where you are in your industry, and where you plan on going. Make sure youre selecting the right format resume .
Avoid Photo Resume Templates
Shields has noticed template websites trending toward photo resumes, which are common in many countries around the world. However, U.S. job seekers should avoid including a headshot, Shields says, for the sake of both the ATS and the humans who might review your application.
On the tech side, an ATS wont be able to parse an image, so the best case is that itll simply get dropped when the system is creating your digital profile. But the more concerning scenario is one where the image causes formatting issues or parsing errors that could impact how a system reads the rest of your resume.
And aside from the ATS, weve heard firsthand from a lot of recruiters that wont even review applicants that submit a photo, Shields says. They just cant make themselves more vulnerable than they already are to any possible claims of discrimination. And you don’t want to open yourself up to actual discrimination, either.
The bottom line, Viviano says, is that unless youre a model or actor, your photo doesnt belong on your resume. In essence, youre taking up a lot of real estate on your resume that shouldnt have a part to play in who hires you.
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Stylish One Page Cv Resume
It only takes a single page to make an impact on a reviewer when done correctly. Often, it’s better to condense all of your experiences into a short format so that the hiring manager can quickly review your credentials. The timeline approach makes it easy to craft your story of how past experiences have led you to the current role.
- compatible with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
- A4 and US letter page formats
This modern professional resume design certainly brings attention to your name thanks to the oversized placeholder for your name. The easy-to-replace placeholder boxes will save you many hours while building a resume of your own.
- compatible with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
- A4 and US letter page formats
Free Resume Builder Tools
Simplicity rating: Extremely Easy
Value Rating: 9
Why we like it:;Well acknowledge itwere a bit biased here. However, Jobscans resume builder is easy to use and guides job seekers through the process effortlessly. Our favorite part is that its ATS-friendly. The templates used to build your resume are created with applicant tracking systems in mindhelping you keep each of your resumes optimized.
In this resume builder, the screen is split into two sections. The first section asks you to fill in the information you want to include in your resume. As you do that, you can see the builder formatting that information into the second section, which will become your final product.
How to use it for free: To use our resume builder, all you need to do is choose one of our ATS-friendly resume templates. After that, you can customize it to each job youre applying for, using our simple forms. Finally, download and/or print and submit it to your potential employers.
Simplicity rating: Extremely Easy
Value Rating: 9
Why we like it:;Cake Resume really is a piece of cake to use. Just drag and drop pre-made sections from the column on the right of the resume builder and update the sample information. You can also create a public profile and upload your LinkedIn information, if you choose to, which lets hiring managers who come to the site to view your information.
Simplicity Rating: Extremely Easy
Value Rating: 8
Simplicity Rating: Medium
Value Rating: 8
Simplicity Rating: Medium
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Find My Professions Chronological Template
File Format: DOCX
This chronological template is good for people with more work experience and it gives space for job seekers to fill in both a position summary and bullet points. You can use this if you want to emphasize key achievements or special projects from your past jobs. Just make sure to delete the Find My Profession image from the template.
Adobes Amanda Danvers Template
File Format: AI
This option requires you to have an Adobe accountbut its free if youre already set up.. The bold color pattern ensures that youll stand out, even with very traditional formatting that places a brief personal summary at the top, experience and education in the middle rows, and skills at the bottom. The Adobe Spark logo in the bottom right corner can be removed.
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Why Be Dishonest About Resume Templates For The $$$ Of Course
Of course there are merits to hiring a professional resume writer, which Susan lays out perfectly. The resume templates indicate laziness argument is not one of them.
The idea that there are super-critical hiring managers twisting their mustaches and sniffing at resume templates is a laughable invention.
That argument is nothing more than a lazy, self-serving sales pitch that holds no water.
The idea that there are super-critical hiring managers twisting their mustaches and sniffing at resume templates is a laughable invention.