There are many resume templates and online builder sites out there promising to help job seekers create a killer resume. Most of them are free and usually claim to use the latest design as well as keywords to beat applicant tracking systems (ATS), but is this true?
Facts about resume templates
While it’s true that resume templates offer convenience, they are often too generic and could be the reason your resume is tossed into the trash. Here are four reasons why resume templates may not be a smart choice.
1) They won’t always meet your needs: There are tons of resume templates online, but it’s unlikely that you will find one that provides the exact design you want, especially if you have a specific vision for the layout of your resume. With this in mind, you may find it very frustrating to try and make changes to the template. This can be a colossal time waster and your efforts may be better spent creating your own design.
2) Your resume won’t be unique: If you use a resume template, there’s a good chance that your document will be similar to resumes from other applicants. This usually isn’t a big deal but if you want to get an invitation for an interview, your resume needs to stand out from the pool. Recruiters can easily spot a resume crafted using a template because they’ve reviewed hundreds of them.
3) They won’t correct your errors: When using resume templates, you have to plug your information into them. This leaves room for gaps, mistakes, and inconsistencies. In fact, many resume templates can’t identify spelling errors, and so these can be easily overlooked. For example, if you typed in the word “manger” instead of “manager,” the resume template won’t correct these errors.
4) Unsuitable for your niche: Most resume builder sites offer a lot of resume templates but there’s no guarantee that you will find a resume for your niche. The reality is that there are certain resume styles which are better suited for specific industries. For instance, a resume tailored to the finance sector may differ dramatically to a resume for graphic design. Finding a resume template suited to your industry can be challenging to locate.
Personalized resumes: The way forward
In summary, rather than expend your energy inputting information into a resume template, you can impress the recruiter by creating a personalized resume for each position you’re applying for.
Personalized resumes allow you to give recruiters the information they’re looking for, which is way better than making them look for it in a generic resume template. A personalized resume emphasizes your strength and is often a breath of fresh air to recruiters. This will give you a tremendous advantage over other candidates who don't spend the time customizing their application.
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