Download a Resume Template: Resume Formats

Download a Resume Template: Resume Formats

Get tips for finding fee-based and free resume templates.

When you submit your resume for a position, you should highlight your accomplishments with previous companies, focus on your strengths, and present your information in a neat, clear, and concise manner. Sounds easy. How do you decide what format to use for your resume and what font would be most appropriate? How do you find examples or resume templates to use so you have a sort of blueprint that you can simply copy and paste your own information into without having to be a professional graphic designer or computer whiz? Finding a template is actually very easy, and I'll show you a number of different places to find just the right one to use for that dream job application. Here's how to find fee-based and free resume templates.

Since you have found and are reading this article, I'll assume that you know how to navigate the web. There are many websites out there that offer professional resume-writing advice and examples to benefit everyone from high school and young college students to more mature job hunters. If you are a recent college grad or are soon to be one, check out www.collegegrad.com. This site has over 30 different free downloadable templates which focus on all kinds of degrees from Accounting to Zoology, and there is plenty of advice to be had on creating the perfect resume.

1. One of the more well-known websites for job seekers, www.monster.com, offers a few templates that can be used to see how a basic resume should be set up, but the examples are formatted to be presented on Monster's website, so none of them show off interesting fonts or different ways of organizing your resume. However, both Monster.com and other sites like www.careerbuilder.com do offer links to several resume-writing services websites (these sites will do all the work for you—for a fee, of course).
2. Lastly, you will find tons of templates at online stores and resume-writing websites that will charge you for their advice and cut-and-paste skills, but if you own or have access to a PC with Microsoft software, skip those sites and head straight to www.microsoft.com. The web page has all sorts of downloads for games and home-office programs, but in the job search category, there are tons of free downloadable templates for resumes, cover letters, references, and recommendations. Best of all, Microsoft rates all of the templates from one to five stars, based on votes from customers.

There are quite a few ways to find resume formats, templates, and outlines to follow. If you don't have constant access to the internet, you can access similar tools right on your home computer. Using Microsoft or Macintosh software, take advantage of the "Wizards" and "Help" applications; both Macs and PCs have built-in software that may have useful resume patterns to follow. And if your family tends to monopolize the computer, you can visit local libraries that have books with tons of information. All of these tools separately or combined can provide you with the information and outlines necessary to create a sleek, sophisticated, and concise resume that is sure to impress.