Resume templates

Why Choose Resume.co’s Templates?

How to Create a Professional Resume With Our Templates

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can use our resume templates and resume builder to create a job-winning document in minutes:

Step 1: Pick a template for your industry

First, you want to pick a template specifically designed for the industry you’re in. For example, a modern resume template might be a good choice if you’re creating a graphic design or IT resume, while traditional templates are tailored toward fields like business, law, and healthcare.

Step 2: Tailor the content

The content of your resume should be entirely related to the role you’re applying for. That’s why you should add or subtract the sections in your resume template to match what recruiters want to see. Moreover, make sure to tailor the skills and qualifications to include the ones most relevant to the job.

Step 3: Add power words

Power words and action verbs improve the impact of your writing and the memorability of your resume. Words like “spearheaded,” “conceptualized,” and “optimized” emphasize your efforts and help your achievements stand out in the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers.

Step 4: Review and proofread your resume

Review and proofread your resume before submitting it to ensure there are no mistakes and that your document is spotless. In addition to typos and grammatical errors, you should look for consistency in style, section alignment, and bullet points to polish the format and layout to perfection.

How to Pick the Right Resume Template for Your Job Application

Picking the right resume template for your job application significantly improves your chances of success. Let’s explore the five key criteria to consider:

#1. Determine Your Career Level

One of the crucial steps in choosing the right resume template for you is determining your career level, usually based on how much work experience you have.

If you’re after a junior position, you might opt for one of the functional resume templates, which focuses on skills and academic accomplishments. In contrast, mid-level professionals and seasoned veterans usually decide on a chronological resume template or a hybrid one.

#2. Consider Industry Standards

Be aware of the norms of your industry when selecting a resume template. A good starting point is to understand whether you’re after a creative resume template or a formal one.

If you’re in a traditional field (e.g., making an MBA resume or a manager resume), you’ll likely choose a clean and professional resume template.  If you’re applying for a modern role, such as for a social media manager, you can get a visually dynamic one.

#3. Examine the Job Requirements

Before you choose a resume template, you should research the company you want to join and carefully read the job description. This will help you determine which skills and qualifications employers look for in candidates.

In turn, that will help you pick a resume template that will optimally convey the most relevant information. For instance, some roles can require language skills, certifications, or other specific qualifications you’ll want to highlight.

#4. Settle on the Length of Your Resume

The vast majority of resumes should be one page long. They should focus on quality over quantity and concisely outline your most impressive and relevant qualifications.

However, there are instances where your resume should be two pages or more. One example is a federal resume, which typically spans 4–6 pages. Even for corporate roles, you can go for two or three pages if the job ad asks for it or if you have decades of high-quality work history.

What Makes a Perfect Resume Template?

Here are five key aspects to look for when browsing online resume templates and choosing the right one for you:

#1. Distinct Format

A perfect resume template should feature a standard format designed with clarity and purpose. The chronological, functional, and combination formats are widely accepted and preferred by recruiters and hiring managers. Select the one based on your needs and experience, and you’ll present yourself as a suitable candidate effortlessly.

#2. Clear Hierarchy and Organization

Resume samples that you consider for your job application should offer an apparent visual hierarchy. The purpose of such an organization is to guide the reader’s eye to all the important information.

Resumes are most commonly organized with the applicant’s name, professional title, address, and contact information in the header. These details are usually followed by a resume objective or summary, after which goes work experience as the central and most important section.

#3. Subtle Visual Appeal

Visual appeal is a crucial aspect of a resume template. The professional nature of a resume can be further enhanced with subtle design elements, such as a suitable resume font, lines and section dividers, and touches of color. When used sparingly, these details contribute to a resume template’s appeal without being overwhelming or making the document difficult to read.

#4. Customizable Sections

Customizability is a fundamental characteristic of resume templates. Our customizable resume builder for job seekers allows you to modify every detail on a template to create a perfect document for your needs. You can change font and colors, add sections (e.g., references or interests), or completely change the layout with a click of a button.

#5. Overall Suitability

Ultimately, the resume template you choose should be overall suitable to your needs. An impeccable hybrid resume template won’t do much if you’re an entry-level professional who can benefit more from a functional resume.

This is why it’s usually best to choose a template that you need to customize the least. That way, you’ll get a pre-designed, pre-formatted document crafted by experts in the field, allowing you to finish your resume in minutes!

4 Benefits of Using Our Professional Resume Templates

In addition to all the advantages of templates we’ve discussed already, here are four additional benefits of using our professional resume templates:

5 Expert Tips for Creating Your Resume

Here are five expert tips to consider when writing your resume, regardless of the resume example or template that you use. These will improve your chances with recruiters and ensure your resume doesn’t get rejected.

#1. Write a Catchy Introduction

Your resume objective or summary should highlight your key strengths from the get-go. You want to point out your most important skills or biggest accomplishments right at the start to impress recruiters and persuade them to focus on the rest of your resume.

#2. Quantify Your Achievements

You should add numbers and statistics to all the achievements and results in your resume. By quantifying them, you add measurable value to your effort and turn vague claims into solid proof of competence. This makes your accomplishments stand out and solidifies you as a qualified candidate.

#3. Prioritize Relevant Experience

You should always focus on your past jobs and work-related experiences that are relevant to the role you’re after. Don’t list past employment that is entirely unrelated to the position you want to get. If you’re writing a resume with no experience, you can use substitute activities, such as volunteering, freelancing, or internships.

#4. Incorporate Keywords

Resume keywords are details like skills and job titles. When implemented correctly, they can help you grab the recruiter’s attention and pass the ATS scan. You’ll find keywords by reading the job ad and researching the company to find exactly which abilities they look for in candidates and for what role. You can then add those exact words to your resume.

#5. Don’t Forget Soft Skills

While hard skills are a must-have on any resume and are necessary to do the job in the first place, soft skills can be just as valuable in helping you get the role. These abilities are transferable and interpersonal and significantly impact your performance and collaboration abilities. That’s why most recruiters always look for soft skills in resumes.

Resume Templates FAQ