Only a select few applicants get the job out of the hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants whose resumes reach the hiring manager’s desk. But it doesn’t mean that all applicants that don’t make it to the finish line are not qualified; sometimes, it boils down to their resume’s formatting style.
Luckily you do not have to do the formatting yourself. You can leverage the many resume templates online to create that eye-catching resume that will land you your dream job. If you are unsure about the template to choose for a specific job posting, this guide can help you figure that out.
Considering Your Industry When Choosing a Career Template
Resume templates come in three main formats; chronological, functional, and a hybrid of the two. While all formats are correct, they are applicable in different settings; you only need to know which fits your industry the best.
If you seek a job in a corporate environment, for example, the finance and banking industry, you will be better off with the chronological format-based template. A chronological resume focuses mainly on a person’s experience. The experience is listed in chronological order, from the most recent to the oldest.
If you are looking for a job in an industry where creativity or artistic skills are what the employer is looking for, a functional format resume template is what you should go for. A functional format resume places much of the emphasis on skills rather than experience.
You can choose to go for a mix of the two if you are unsure about the audience’s preference. You may want to check out these modern resume templates and find the option that fits you best based on your industry.
Qualities of a Good Resume Template
Irrespective of the format you go for, it should meet a certain standard, such as:
It Must Allow Its Content to Stand Out
Most modern resume templates may have some color to add to their appeal. But you should not overdo it to avoid distracting your audience. So you will need to go for a template that allows the content to stand out without the colors becoming a distraction.
Experts say it takes six seconds for a hiring manager to skim through a resume and determine if it is a good or a bad fit. Therefore, you want to be sure that the six seconds will go towards scanning the content rather than the colors.
Avoid Overly Designed Templates
Putting in a little graphic design can help add a sense of professionalism to a resume. But overdoing it can make your resume less appealing.
Remember, employers are not looking for the best-designed resume, even if the position you are applying for is in graphics design. Instead, they will be focused on the content, meaning an overly designed template will send the wrong signal, such as a lack of content for your resume.
It Should Be Practical and Professional
The template you choose should exude sheer professionalism. Therefore, it would be best to avoid background color because the recruiting manager may need to print the resume.
Also, you need to consider that it is highly likely that an applicant tracking system (ATS) will do the shortlisting process, so you will want to go for an ATS optimized template. Tables and charts may not be readable by an ATS, so you may want to leave them out. Also, you may want to ensure that you leave ample white space to allow words to stand out for the ATS scanner.
Final Words
Getting a suitable template is great. But it will only work in your favor if you match it with the right content, which must be a reflection of who you are.
Image source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/opportunity-recruitment-employment-3185099/
