Is Your Resume Template Suppressing Your Job Search?

Is a resume template a worthwhile method to rapidly and easily write a first-rate resume? Or, will the utilization of a resume template actually delay and slow your job search? In a job market that becomes more competitive by the day, even if you are currently employed you have probably fretted about the security of your company and have at least considered developing your resume 'just in case.' If you are unemployed, the need is even more crucial and you realize that to stand out from the multitudes and get interviews you must create a resume that is categorically top tier and professional. In either situation, the enticement to use a resume template is great.

Unfortunately, the application of a resume template often fails. Rather than helping the job hunter to secure the attention of employers, a template causes the opposite as the design and formatting will look exactly like the hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of other resumes in the employment market, all based from the same template.

Beyond just guaranteeing that your resume looks like all the other resumes out there, templates are also created as "one-size-fits-all" solutions. Do your career, your unique work expereince, and your individual goals really fit in a one-size-fits-all format? For the sizeable majority of people, the answer will be no. Very few people have a completely linear, untarnished work history. If there are any 'problems' in your background--such as a period of unemployment, too frequent job changes, a demotion, or any number of other challenges--a resume template will only stress and draw the reader's eye to the negatives.

But, if a resume template isn't a smart option, what is the solution? While it will take more time and effort, the solution is a custom resume that has been designed and formatted to call attention to the pros in your employment background while deemphasizing the potential negatives.

At this point, many job hunters determine that the wisest choice is to invest in the services of a professional resume writer. However, many others will opt to continue on their own, putting their best effort into creating a one-of-a-kind resume that is effective and will help them to stand out among the competition. For these people, there are many resources available, including books of example resumes prepared by professional resume writers, websites with example resumes, and online resume writing tutorials and articles, again usually developed by professional writers.

Whatever road you choose for the development of your resume, it is almost always in your best interest to veer away from template resumes. While it may seem like a large investment of time (and money if you hire a professional to help you), the returns from developing a customized resume will be more than worth it when you land your dream job at a great salary.