Free Resume Template: What Makes a Good One?
You can drown in the "free resume examples," "free resume templates," and "free resume samples" on the web. In my opinion, a single thing makes one free resume template different from another: results. Find a free resume template that will help you create a resume that'll win you a job. That means several things have to be true about this template you're considering. First, it has to be able to produce a jaw-dropping summary at the top of page one. If it'll only let you plug in an objective statement, even if it's a good one, you won't necessarily be able to produce the resume you want to. At least not the kind I'd recommend. Second, it has to be flexible. If you can't rearrange things easily, or change fonts and formatting, you'll be too locked in. It'll be like a Soviet all-you-eat buffet. They give you a small plate of food and say, "There. That's all you can eat." Third, it has to have a professional, attractive layout. You want to STAND out, not STICK out. Go for a professional, probably more traditional look. The layout should include ample white space, simply because it "sells" better. Fourth, it has to be in Word format. If you're dealing with software, it has to allow you to save or export to Word format. This is the industry standard. If you deliver something to a recruiter in electronic form, and it isn't Word, you'll be lucky if he contacts you to tell you to send a Word document. More likely, he'll pass you by. If a free resume template (or one you're considering buying) meets those criteria, it's probably worth using. It's a pretty short list. Notice that I didn't say anything about fancy fonts, or software, or any bells and whistles at all. Those can be nice, maybe even helpful. They're NOT necessary. Fire up Microsoft Word, load up your template, if necessary change the font to 11-point Times New Roman (a standard, atractive, and "safe" font), and start typing! A free resume template isn't going to do the work for you. It simply might save you time on the more mundane tasks, like formatting the document. The job-winning content is all up to you. Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller An article by Roy Miller, creator of http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com. He recently developed a simple, powerful, job-winning resume template package. You can get your FREE copy here: free resume template. And if you liked this article, be sure to sign up for Roy's free weekly newsletter. This article may be reprinted for use in newsletters and on websites provided that this information box is kept intact. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: roy@job-search-guidepost.com.
Related News
Five Things You Can do to Take Charge of Your Career During Harsh ... - PR Web (press release)
Experts advise patience when seeking first job - Vancouver Sun
AAPD's Disability Mentoring Day Program Helps Pair Disabled ... - SYS-CON Media
Students stay positive in bad economy - Washington Times
NOT ENOUGH JOBS FOR GRADUATES - Online Recruitment
NOT ENOUGH JOBS FOR GRADUATESOnline Recruitment, UK -7 hours agoJob recruitment careers fairs – These are a great way to meet prospective employers, gain confidence talking to them, and make contacts. ... |
Shifting Careers In Hard Times, Lawyers Advise Cautious Steps - New York Times
Atlanta couple’s self-employment hurts loan chances - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Atlanta couple’s self-employment hurts loan chancesAtlanta Journal Constitution, USA -20 hours agoBy PAUL DONSKY Marsha Middleton and her husband, Willie, have good credit, money in the bank and successful careers. But the couple has struggled to find a ... |
Bye-bye to career employment for Baby Boomer men - Examiner.com
Top Small Workplaces - Wall Street Journal Blogs
Top Small WorkplacesWall Street Journal Blogs, NY -3 hours agoAfter six months of employment and then annually thereafter, managers give their teams a "Performance Summary & Development Plan" -- a lengthy document that ... |
Sonoma County job growth to be led by service sector - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Top 10 Super Job Interview Tips
Use these interview tips for job hunting success!
Behaviour To Climb The Stepping Stones To Career Success
The heading of this article could just as well have been "How to position yourself for promotion" or "How to position yourself for career advancement" or "How to climb the success ladder" or something similar.
Tips For Successful Job Hunting: How To Get A Job Without A Resume
I am in my mid-thirties, and, as you can imagine, I have changed and looked for jobs many times in my life. No matter how successful was in my job hunting research, I realized that there are certain ground "rules" that need to be respected; otherwise, we will not get what we want from our careers.
Do I Have to Provide a Salary History?
Often you see job postings with a request such as "Send resume with salary history to?" I don't know about you but the first thing that pops into my mind is what do they expect to pay? The next question I ponder is whether or not it's legal to request this information. Who will see my salary history when my resume and accompanying documents are received? Will it be the hiring manager, someone in the human resources department, or will it be a notoriously nosy employee whose job it is to open the mail? Will that individual broadcast my confidential information to other employees?
Preventing The Runaway Candidate
Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating the final costs associated with the "runaway bride". Much like the runaway bride, the "runaway candidate" can have a devastating effect upon a potential employer. In today's competitive market for top candidates, most employers consider a candidate "onboard" once they have accepted the job and signed their offer letter. I would counter we're not at the finish line, or "honeymoon", just yet.
Why Employers Want an Employee with a Degree
You wake up in the morning, head to work, and find out your company is downsizing and you are being laid off. No big deal you think, you have experience, you've worked at the same company for years. You think companies will WANT to hire you. Guess what, your wrong. It's a new day and age, while you may potentially find work. It's a lot more difficult than you may think to get a job these days. Most reputable companies are looking for qualified people who also have an education.
When and How to Say I Just Cant Do It!
We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't do something or are feeling overwhelmed in our job. Bosses don't want to hear that, right? Well, it depends.
In many situations, your boss is so busy that he/she doesn't keep track of how much work you're doing. When your boss gives you a new project, he's not thinking about all the other projects you're already working on.
And here's the kicker -- unless you speak up and tell your boss that you can't handle the workload he's giving you, he'll assume everything is fine.
This can have bad consequences for you AND your boss. You know what will happen. Eventually things will start falling through the cracks or you'll rush through tasks and start making mistakes.
You can only do so much in a day, and deadlines will be missed. While you're stressing out, work that your boss needs you to do is NOT being done.
When this happens, your boss will not appreciate your excuse: "But I had too much to do, I was overloaded with work!" Saying that AFTER the fact will be much worse than telling your boss up front -- before mistakes occur or deadlines are missed -- that you're having trouble with your workload.
It is your responsibility to tell your boss when you are overwhelmed, and there's nothing wrong with doing this.
Of course, you don't want to tell your boss, "I can't do that; I'm too busy." But you can say, "I'll be happy to take that on, but I need your help with prioritizing the other projects you've already given me. Which jobs can I put on hold or delegate to someone else while I work on this new one?"
That's way better than keeping your mouth shut, trying to do too much, and failing miserably.
How Hedgehogs Hire
In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle, and how powerfully this can be used to attract great employees. After many dozens of CEO interviews, I'm convinced that leaders with well-defined hedgehogs deploy the most successful hiring models.
Certification for Freelancers and Home-Based Business Owners
When we think of technical certification, most of us think of the seemingly endless jumble of letters that follow the names of information technology experts-MCSE, MCSA, A+, CCNA, etc. These certifications serve as standardized, objective validations that the person holding them possesses a certain set of skills and a certain level of professional competency.
Making The Best Of Yourself At Interview
You are just about to leave university You are just setting out in the job market You have a number of hurdles to get over before you have the job you have been dreaming of. You find the thought of an interview daunting. You want to make a good impression and succeed!
Change Your Life, Change Your Career And Get A New Job!
Careers dictate resume format
7 Tips to Deal With a Bad Performance Review
Q. "I wasn't happy with my last performance review. Should I dispute the
review? Write a letter for my file? Talk to a lawyer? Or just let it go?"
Find Free Resumes Online
Have you been spending money on countless job boards, only to find that they don't offer the types of candidates you need? If the answer is yes, don't fret any longer, you're about to learn crafty techniques to help you find free resumes on the net. There are numerous free resources online that offer resumes. These include: Free Resume Databases; Free Member Resumes on Association websites; Free College and Alumni resumes on University websites; Free Resume Newsgroups; Free Resume Blaster sites and active and passive resumes hosted on individual candidate websites. All of these resources can be found by using simple search techniques.
Three Tips for Successful Networking
I generally shy away from using the word "networking" when it comes to our business. As professional "headhunters", we are constantly practicing and performing the art of networking in our daily operations. Many only consider the subject of networking when they are either seeking a new job or seeking new business opportunities. From our perspective, networking should be a daily event in your life. Networking is the art of building relationships that create benefit for yourself. Here are three tips to becoming a top notch "networker".
Match, Meet, and Mesmerize at a Job Fair
Are you considering another trip through the career maze? Attending a job fair can make you feel like you are playing a losing game unless you have a clear understanding of the rules. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of any job fair, and gaining a competitive edge.
How to Conquer Job Hunting Apathy
Jack, downsized from his last job, was frozen in a place called Apathy. Had been for months now. Knew he had to get moving, had to find a job, but ? just couldn't seem to get his act together. Oh, he'd tried ? a little. But his lack of immediate success just made him that much more apathetic.
Three Ways to Transition to a New Career
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than others. Some professionals already possess a foundation of skills to make the transition easier. I'll give an example. An unemployed network engineer and hobby electrician decides to become an electrical contractor for new construction. His transition might be easier because he needs minimal training to enter the new field. But others require training, or additional schooling, which can sometimes be costly.
8 Steps to Getting On-Track When You Start a New Job
Starting a new job can feel like moving to a new country. Your language skills may be modest. You have little knowledge of the laws, let alone the customs and traditions of the society you are entering. All you have is a passport and the goodwill of management as you enter unfamiliar borders.
What is a Career Anyway?
A career is the sum total of all of your work-related contributions to society in a lifetime. This includes time and effort spent to provide goods, services, or benefit to others. A career includes paid, un-paid, volunteer, part-time, and full-time positions. Your career includes many life roles you may not think of: student, homemaker, babysitter, office worker, doctor, lawyer, etc. A career encompasses all the roles you play and duties you perform. You may have many jobs or positions that make up your career, but you only have one overall career. There are various career options in the modern world of work: Self-Employed, Organization Employed, or Project-Employed.
More Companies Using Job Interview Phone Screening
Planning and preparing before you begin to send out resumes could save you some embarrassing moments when you receive that unexpected call.
|
