Now that you have a professional template for your resume, here are a few essential resume tips and suggestions for how to craft the perfect job-winning application.
What should I include on my resume?
Everyone’s resume will include different things due to varying work experience and qualifications. However, if you’re wondering what to put on your resume, there are some basic requirements that you should include.
At a minimum, resumes must have the following standard components:
- Contact information
- Resume introduction
- Resume education section
- Work experience
- Relevant resume skills & certifications
All other information is optional, and what you add should depend on your level of work experience, professional strengths, and resume format. For example, if you have minimal work experience but have logged many hours volunteering, you should include a dedicated section for volunteer work on your resume.
How long should a resume be?
The standard resume length is one page, but it can be 2-3 pages if you have substantial relevant skills and work experience.
In general, employers prefer a one page resume, so try to condense your resume if possible.
How do I format my resume?
The ideal format for your resume depends on your educational background and work history.
The majority of job-seekers will use one of these three standard resume formats:
- Chronological resume
- Places your most recent work experience towards the top, and is the most commonly used format by job-seekers today.
- Functional resume
- Emphasizes your skills and abilities.This format is best for candidates who need to downplay gaps in their employment, or just want to highlight a specific skill set.
- Combination resume
- Combines aspects of the chronological format and the functional format. Ideal for showcasing both your relevant work experience and technical skills.
How should a resume look in 2020?
In 2020, simplicity is key. Your resume should be easy to read, use an undistracting design, and get to the point.
Avoid the busy details commonplace on resumes of the early 2000s, such as graphics, images, or charts. Additionally, your resume experience section should only go back to the past 10 to 15 years, and remain directly relevant to the position you want to fill.
Why should I use a resume template for my job application?
A resume template simplifies the job-seeking process. The best resume template provides you an attractive, well-formatted layout that conforms to industry standards. Simply fill out your template and start sending it to employers.
Additionally, using a premade template guarantees that you have an applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly resume, and that it’s easy-to-read.
Why shouldn’t I use a resume template?
Some job seekers believe that employers frown upon the use of templates, but it’s 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 isn’t for you.
If that’s the case, you can make a resume without a template in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. 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.
What’s the best resume template?
There’s no “best” resume template. Each job-seeker has their own skill-set and qualifications, so there’s no singular template that magically fits the mold for everyone.
To find the best template for you, first consider what format is right for your professional background, as well as what resume design suits your needs.
Our team designed each resume template to meet the requirements of different types of job seekers. From entry level applicants to experienced professionals and even executives, we aspire to have the perfect template for every candidate.
If you can’t find a resume template you like, Google also provides a variety of google docs resume templates.
How do I make a cover letter for a resume?
You can easily make a cover letter for your resume by using a cover letter template. You can even download one that matches your resume template for a stronger, more consistent job application.
If you’d prefer to create your own cover letter from scratch, learn how to write a cover letter or browse some cover letter examples for inspiration.
We invite you to scroll back to the top and choose from one of our many resume templates and start writing. We’ve seen how effective job hunters are at landing interviews with our resume templates, and we hope you’re able to replicate their success.
