By all means, yes! Resume templates are helpful tools for job seekers in every industry for several reasons, including:

• They save time. Let’s face it: Designing, formatting, and writing a resume takes time and energy — not to mention the overwhelming stress it can cause. Starting with a well-organized resume template in an appropriate style helps you focus on your resume’s content so you can get it into the hands of a hiring manager quickly and confidently.

• They provide more reach. Because you can update a template faster than you can write a resume from scratch, it’s easier to send more resumes to different employers in the same amount of time it takes to write a new resume without a template.

• They are reliable. Templates are adequately formatted and tested by certified resume writers to make it easier for applicants to write their resumes and for employers to review them.

A basic resume must include:

• Contact details: Include your name, mailing address, email address, phone number and LinkedIn profile if you have one.

• Professional summary or resume objective statement: A professional summary or an objective statement tells employers right away what you can do for them while setting the stage for the rest of your resume.

• Work history: Since most recruiters and hiring managers skim resumes, you want to make sure they see the most relevant information arranged in the appropriate resume format. If you lack work experience, include volunteer service, internships, or relevant school or personal projects.

• Skills: The more skills you have, the more attractive you will look to recruiters or hiring managers. But don’t go overboard! Add a variety of soft, hard and transferable skills relevant to the position and that you are confident you can use for the company’s benefit should they hire you.

• Education: Not every job requires formal studies, but many require a basic education. The information you place here depends on our job title and industry and the work experience you have. If your education is particularly relevant to the job or includes pertinent training or certifications, it can help you stand out.

Spelling and grammatical errors, improperly spaced text, and inappropriate fonts that are too small or too large look bad on a resume. Inappropriate fonts include script-style fonts, heavy and dark ones like Impact, and playful fonts such as Comic Sans. Other contenders for resume blunders include: margins that are less than ½ inch and wider than 1 inch, and graphical elements such as photos (unless you are an artist or an entertainment personality), personal details that have no real connection to the job, such as personal blogs or websites, weird hobbies and job references.

The best way to stand out with a basic resume is with your content. Let your qualifications tell all, but do so in a way that grabs the hiring manager’s attention. You can do this easily by explaining your past experience through what you achieved rather than what you were responsible for, and use numbers to make it shine. For example, instead of “Served food to guests,” play it up with some real examples of your impact, like “Greeted and served 200+ guests per night as a regular weekend server in a high-volume, 5-star restaurant in Center City, Philadelphia.”

Yes! You should include a cover letter with your basic resume. Cover letters are perfect companions to resumes because they allow you to introduce yourself, express your enthusiasm for the job, and expand on your resume. Resume Now’s Cover Letter Builder will help you build a top-notch cover letter to accompany your resume.