The Ultimate Guide to Using Resume Templates for Job Search Success in 2023
Are you gearing up for a job search in 2023 and feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of creating a resume from scratch? The good news is, you don‘t have to! Resume templates are an invaluable resource that can save you time, ensure you include all the essential information, and help you create a polished, professional document that captures hiring managers‘ attention.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into everything you need to know about using resume templates effectively to land your dream job in 2023. We‘ll cover what to include in each key section, design best practices, and strategic tips for crafting compelling content. Plus, we‘ll bust some common resume myths and share pitfalls to avoid.
Why Use a Resume Template?
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Saves time and hassle
Instead of formatting your resume from a blank page, a template provides a pre-made structure. You just need to customize it with your information. -
Ensures you include all essential information
With a template, you‘re less likely to overlook key sections like your professional summary, skills, or education. The template reminds you to fill out each area. -
Helps create a polished, professional look
A well-designed template will use readable fonts, have balanced margins and white space, and present your background in an organized way. With so many free and inexpensive options online, there‘s no need to settle for a basic, boring look. -
Streamlines the process of tailoring resumes for each job
When you have a go-to template, you can easily swap out information to align your resume with each position you apply for. This saves time compared to starting from scratch each time.
Must-Have Sections of a Winning Resume
While you can find all sorts of creative resume templates out there, most stick to a tried-and-true structure made up of several core sections:
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Contact Information
At the very top, list your full name, professional email address, phone number, and location (city and state). You may also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio if applicable. -
Resume Summary or Objective
Use this brief section to introduce yourself and explain your career goals and qualifications. For experienced candidates, a summary statement highlighting key achievements and skills is the way to go. For entry-level candidates, students, or those changing careers, an objective statement focused on the type of role you‘re seeking may be more appropriate. -
Work Experience
This is the real "meat" of your resume. List your work history in reverse-chronological order, including your title, company name, dates of employment, and location for each role. Under each position, include 3-5 bullet points describing your key responsibilities and proudest accomplishments. Where possible, use data and numbers to illustrate your impact. -
Education
List your degrees in reverse-chronological order, including the name of the institution, dates attended, and degree received. You can also include relevant coursework, academic awards, or extracurricular activities in this section. -
Skills
Include a mix of technical skills (like proficiency with certain software) and soft skills (like communication or leadership). You can either list these skills out or create a visual symbol, like a bar chart, to rank your proficiency. Be sure to tailor this section to the job at hand by studying the posting for key skills to highlight.
How to Choose and Use a Resume Template
Now that you know the key ingredients that go into a resume, how do you actually go about picking a template and filling it out? Follow these steps:
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Consider your industry and career level
Are you seeking a corporate job where a more traditional, buttoned-up design would serve you well? Or are you in a creative field where you can showcase more personality in your formatting? There‘s no one-size-fits all template. Try to find options that align with the company culture and your experience level. -
Look for a clean, modern design
While it‘s great to stand out, avoid over-the-top templates with crazy colors and graphics. Keep the design streamlined and easy for a recruiter to quickly scan and pick out key information. -
Pay attention to file format
Most online job portals will ask you to submit your resume as a PDF to preserve your formatting. Make sure you choose a template that can be saved as a PDF. Some fancier designs may require extra steps to convert properly. -
Use colour strategically
Incorporate colour through section headers, borders, or a matching cover letter template. But use it sparingly – one or two accent colours maximum. Avoid light text on dark backgrounds which can be hard to read. -
Keep font choice simple
Choose a modern, readable sans serif font for the body text (like Arial or Calibri) and a more distinctive serif font for your name and section headers (like Georgia or Garamond). Avoid fonts that are too casual or cutesy. Stick to only two or three font styles throughout the document. -
Fill in each section with compelling language
As you plug your experience into the template, use vivid action words to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Lead with powerful verbs like "spearheaded", "streamlined", "produced", "generated", etc. Use data to quantify your impact where you can. -
Tailor the content to the job at hand
One resume does not fit all. For each job you apply to, go back and customize your professional summary, work history, and skills to align with the requirements listed in the job description. Incorporate keywords that automated applicant tracking systems will be scanning for.
Common Resume Myths to Ignore
As you work on perfecting your resume, it‘s easy to get bogged down by conflicting advice and outdated "rules." Here are a few common resume myths you can feel free to ignore:
Myth 1: You must limit your resume to one page.
For entry-level candidates this still holds true. But if you have years of relevant experience to detail, two or even three pages are perfectly acceptable. The key is making every word and bullet point count and ruthlessly editing out fluff.
Myth 2: Fancy formatting will make you stand out.
A pop of color or unique layout can catch a recruiter‘s eye. But if the content itself isn‘t compelling, all the bells and whistles in the world won‘t help. Focus first on selling your story, then pick a clean design that presents that story in the best light.
Myth 3: You must include an objective statement.
If you‘re going the traditional route of applying online, an objective isn‘t critical. Use the space for a punchy professional summary instead that showcases your unique value. Objectives are useful if you‘re changing careers or have an unusual circumstance to explain.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Using Resume Templates
To make sure your resume stands out for all the right reasons, avoid these common mistakes:
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Forgetting to proofread
A slick template can‘t make up for sloppy spelling and grammar. Before sending off your resume, meticulously check for typos and errors. Have a friend or family member give it a second look too. -
Cramming in too much information
Yes, the goal is to create a comprehensive picture of your background. But overstuffing your resume with every responsibility you‘ve ever had will only overwhelm a recruiter. Keep descriptions concise and focus on the highlights that are most relevant to your target job. -
Leaving the template content as-is
Templates often come with pre-filled information as an example. Be sure to delete this and fully customize each section with your own experience, skills, and voice. Otherwise, your resume will read like a fill-in-the-blank template rather than a unique document. -
Using an unprofessional email address
Your email should include some variation of your first and last name, not a silly nickname or reference. Create a professional address to use on your resume and job search correspondence. -
Failing to convert to a PDF
If you leave your resume in an editable format like .docx, your beautiful formatting may get messed up when a recruiter opens it on their computer. Unless a job posting specifies otherwise, always send a PDF to lock in your formatting.
Putting It All Together
Equipped with these tips and tricks, you‘re well on your way to crafting a winning resume using a template. Remember, even with a great template your resume should be a living, breathing document. Return to it regularly to update it with new accomplishments, skills, and experience. The time you invest in making it great will pay off when you land that exciting next opportunity.
When you‘re ready to start browsing designs, check out HubSpot‘s collection of free, professionally-designed resume templates. With eight different styles in a range of color schemes, you‘re sure to find one that suits your needs. Each template can be downloaded with one click as an editable PPT file, so you can jump right in and start customizing.
Your dream job awaits – go forth and create an amazing resume to snag it!