Resume examples can provide inspiration and a jump-start to creating your own job-winning resume, or modifying an existing one. But, of the hundreds of examples out there, which one will work best for you? We’ll show you how to pick and use resume examples that reflect your work experience, and desired job title and industry.
Choosing the right resume example
There are 4 key factors to consider when looking for a resume example to use:
- The type of job you want
- Your work experience
- Format
- Your resume template, meaning design
Let’s dive into how to select the right resume example, one step at a time.
Think about the type of job you want
Before choosing a resume example, consider the kind of job you want and the industry you’d like to work in. Look for resume examples based on similar jobs that are submitted by others or recommended by career services experts. If those resume examples worked for someone else, they may work for you, too! The same goes for choosing a resume example based on industry. If you previously managed a team in retail and now want a job managing a team in a small office, know that resume examples are likely different for each. Pick the example that best matches your desired industry.
Consider your work experience
Review your work history and ask yourself: “What industry did I work in?” “What did I work on?” Answering these questions will help you decide which resume example to use.
- By industry: Speed up your search for a resume example by identifying core aspects of your previous industry. For example, if your past industry was engineering, you can avoid or seek out specific resume examples depending on whether you want to stay in the industry or not.
- By tasks: Reviewing previous tasks helps you determine whether you can use them in your next job. Let’s consider one example: A food services job is available and you have supply management skills — you can apply for it! If you don’t have that skill, you should avoid it. So you should look for resume examples specifically tailored for jobs in food management. You can follow the same logical process for any job!
Understand format
Selecting a resume example with a format and design suitable for your needs is important. Resume formats structure the way in which you organize your resume: your work history, your previous job tasks and your specific achievements.
Here are some factors to consider about format when considering which resume example to choose:
Length of work experience (inexperienced versus experienced)
If you want to be evaluated based on your vast experience, you should model your resume on examples that feature your work history in reverse-chronological order. This is the chronological resume format, and is best suited for those with strong and consistent work history in the field to which they are seeking employment.People who wish to avoid being evaluated based on experience, such as recent graduates, those changing industries or job seekers with big resume gaps, should consider resume examples in the functional format, which highlights skills instead over work experience.
The third resume format, the combination, is a hybrid, of the chronological and functional formats and is best for people who want to spotlight their top skills and accomplishments while also featuring the best parts of their employment history. Once you determine which resume format is right for you, choose resume examples that feature similar layouts.
Considering Resume Template
Coupled with an appropriate resume design that fits the industry and presents your information clearly, your format will help employers determine whether you are the right fit for the job.
- Your desired industry (conservative versus creative) Some hiring managers look for resumes whose designs match the culture of their respective industries. This is a choice usually split into two: conservative or creative designs. Conservative designs are highly-structured, simple and text-based. You usually find them on applications for jobs in banking, law, accounting and government. Creative resume designs can include infographics, color or graphics, and can work for applications for jobs in media, architecture and marketing.
Using a resume example
Once you’ve chosen a suitable resume example, here’s how to use it:
Learn from it
Use resume examples as a direct informational reference. If you worked as an assistant analyst, for example, find other resume examples that match your previous assistant analyst duties, goals and accomplishments, and determine if they line up with the position to which you’re applying. When you learn from good, well-structured and deeply researched resume examples, you find many of them contain useful tidbits about your dream job that you’d either forgotten to add or had previously failed to communicate correctly!
Customize it
Because you’re creating a personalized resume that fits your desired job, customization offers a great opportunity for you to stand out in a large pool of applicants. But how do you do it? By rewriting every section in your own words, and with your own specific experience and audience in mind. Do this by customizing all sections of a resume example. This includes the three most important parts of a resume: your summary, your work skills and your work history. Other customizable parts include your contact and educational information.
Match it to the job
While you’re personalizing your resume example, don’t forget to match it to the job you are applying for. Even if you have a long and impressive job history working for big-name businesses, it won’t matter if your skills and experience don’t match the job. To make sure yours do, study the job description, looking for the requirements and key skills listed first. Then make a list of your responsibilities and achievements from your former jobs and write them to match the description. For example, if the job requires leadership skills, think of times you’ve led groups or took the lead on a task, and add bullets to highlight that experience. Tailor every job listed on your resume for each job you apply to.
Resume Samples
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Resume Sample FAQs
What are resume samples?
Resume samples are examples of well-written resumes. Usually, they represent the average jobseeker in a given industry. You can use many of these documents as a template for your own resume, and sometimes they even include tips on layout and content that can help you impress hiring managers.
What goes in a resume sample?
There are certain elements that always go in resume samples, no matter the what position they’re for. These are the most basic components:
- Summary
- Education section
- Work experience section
- Skills section
Sample resumes can also provide great examples of what to include in each section.
I have no job experience. Can I use a resume sample?
Even if you don’t have professional experience, resume samples are still of great help to you. Though you won’t have a standard work experience section, you need to illustrate your transferable skills, and resume examples can give you an idea of how to do so in an appealing way.
What kind of resumes do employers prefer?
Employers prefer a resume and cover letter that are easy-to-read and tailored to the position you’re applying for. The best way to this is to reference the job description as you write. Resume samples can provide examples of job-specific skills, terms, and history that you can emulate in your own document.
How do I begin a resume?
You can begin your resume by looking over our resume samples to get an idea of what your own should look like and the information it should include. To get a head start with the proper layout and sections, use your chosen sample in our efficient resume builder and create your own error-free resume today.
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