Ever wondered if you should use a resume template for your job search? As someone who spent years reviewing thousands of resumes while working for Global Fortune 500 companies, I can tell you one thing: they're more useful than you think. However, understanding the pros and cons of resume templates is crucial for anyone considering buying a resume template and looking to make a strong first impression.
Templates bring structure and professionalism without the hassle, especially if design isn't your strong suit. But let's be real—not all templates work for everyone, and that's the kicker. Some can make your resume miss the mark if you’re not careful. Yet, the structure, convenience, and polished look they offer often outweigh the downsides.
In this post, you'll find out why opting for a resume template could be one of the smartest moves in your job search, and where it might fall short. Stick around for the ultimate answer to the big question, "Should I use a resume template or not?"
The Pros of Using a Resume Template
Choosing a resume template can be a game-changer in getting your foot in the door with potential employers. Whether you’re switching careers, recently graduated, or eyeing that big promotion, using a resume template can set you ahead of the competition.
As a former Global Fortune 500 recruiter who’s seen over 30,000 resumes, I can't stress enough the advantages of using a template when crafting your application. Let’s dive into why templates can make your life so much easier.
Templates Save Time on Formatting and Design.
Imagine trying to bake a cake without a recipe. It might turn out fine, but it’s likely to be time-consuming and uncertain. This is precisely what creating a resume from scratch feels like.
Resume templates streamline this process by providing a ready-made format, ensuring that your resume is professional-looking in half the time. With these templates, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every single time you apply for a job.
Pre-set designs mean you spend less time fussing over fonts, margins, and bullet points because all the resume design dos and don'ts are already built in! Plus, done-for-you resume templates ensure your resume is clean and organized and presents information consistently.
They Offer a Professional and Polished Layout.
Let’s face it, appearances matter. In fact, employers make snap judgments based on a resume's appearance. So, a good resume template can significantly enhance your resume’s visual appeal.
Plus, they often enhance readability, making your resume more cohesive and well-structured. This makes it easier for employers to read through your job application, which can increase the time they spend on it and, in turn, boost your chances of landing an interview.
Resume Templates Ensure All Necessary Sections Are Included.
Crafting a resume can feel like putting together a complex jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes, accidentally, crucial pieces get misplaced. Resume templates act as a map, guiding you through which pieces need to fit together and in what order. They include key sections like work experience, education, and skills.
Since the structure is pre-defined, you can concentrate on what truly matters—communicating your expertise the best way possible, finding the right resume metrics to quantify your achievements, and making your work experience section as strong as it gets.
Best Templates Come with Tips and Prompts for Each Section.
When I was reviewing resumes, I often found that the content, not just the layout, fell short. Here’s where templates shine—they often come with tips and prompts for each section, nudging you in the right direction. These guides help you craft not only a better-looking resume but they improve your resume writing, too.
Whether it's writing a summary or listing skills, you get clear directives. With prompts, you’re likely to improve the overall quality and impact of your resume.
They Are the Most Afforable Job Search Solution.
Career coaching, resume writing, reverse recruiting and LinkedIn profile optimization services often come with a 3- to 4-figure price tag. On the other hand, resume templates are more budget-friendly solutions that can fit almost everyone's X. On top of that, if they come with a details resume writing guide—like all ByRecruiters resume templates do—they can completly replace the need for hiring a resume writer ever again, as they'll give you all the know-how to craft a resume that sounds like it was written by a professional.
The Cons of Using a Resume Template
While resume templates can be lifesavers when it comes to structure and design, they are not all rainbows and unicorns.
Here are some drawbacks and tips to navigate them.
A poorly personalized template might miss the mark.
A one-size-fits-all shirt rarely fits well, doesn't it? The same goes for resume templates. If sticking too closely to a template without making it your own, it could leave your resume feeling generic, especially if you're forcing your content to fit into a template.
Recruiters want to understand who you truly are, not just see another cookie-cutter job application. So, personalize your resume template and make sure it works well for your experience, not the other way around.
Here's how:
Make adjustments: Tweak sections to better fit your field or desired role.
Edit content: Always inject your personal experiences, achievements, and skills into the template to showcase your expertise.
Tweak the template: Feel free to change colors or layout to ensure your resume template perfectly fits your needs.
Some templates are overly designed and difficult to customize.
We all love great design. But sometimes it can be like trying to read a book with too many distracting fonts, colors, or graphics. Fancy resume designs can backfire, making them harder to customize and often taking longer than starting from scratch.
Also, while these designs might be eye-catching, they can also muddle your message. To ensure a resume template serves you well, pick a template that balances style with readability.
Follow this simple checklist:
Focus on readability: Ensure your resume is easy to read, even at a glance.
Prioritize ease of use: Be wary of designs that require a tech degree to edit.
Focus on content: Prioritize clear presentation over eye-catching design.
Not all resume templates work well with applicant tracking systems.
Here's a biggie. Many resumes today get screened by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before reaching human eyes. Some templates—while stunning—aren't ATS-friendly. This means your resume may not be accurately parsed by the software that collects and organizes job applications. Follow these simple tips to make your resume ATS-friendly:
Simplify design: Stick to simpler formats with clear section headings.
Optomize keywords: Match your skills with common industry terms.
Keep a clear and consistent layout: Avoid unusual formatting and fonts that might confuse the system.
As you can see, using a resume template isn’t bad—it's all about how you use it. With these cons in mind, you can make almost any template work for you, rather than against you.
5 Tips for Choosing the Right Resume Template
Okay, now that you know all the pros and cons of using a resume template, it's time to figure out how to pick the right one for your needs.
Here, you'll find insider tips drawn from my experience reviewing countless resumes. These guidelines will help you balance the pros and cons of available resume templates and make the best possible choice.
1. Know Your Industry Standards.
Every industry has its own vibe, kind of like how some parties call for flip-flops while others demand dress shoes. To put your best foot forward, your resume template must align with industry expectations.
For traditional fields like law or finance, go for classic or minimalist resume templates—think conservative and classy attire. In more creative areas, you have room to try professional yet modern resume designs with some flair—much like dressing with personality yet professionalism.
2. Focus on Readability.
Experienced recruiters, like me, spend only a few seconds on each resume. Only 7 seconds on average, to be precise. A good resume template should make that quick scan possible. Pick one that emphasizes readability with clear headings, bullet points, and legible fonts.
Here’s a simple checklist for readability:
Pay attention to consistent and minimal formatting: Pick a template that uses only one to two font styles and colors and uses them consistently throughout the document.
Check if work experience is presented in bullet points: For readability, work experience should always be in bullet points instead of huge text blocks.
Avoid cluttered templates: Tiny fonts and complicated, crowded layout are a no-go. Opt for a resume template with plenty of white space.
3. Prioritize Customization Flexibility.
Your resume isn’t a static document. It evolves as you grow. That’s why picking a template with 100% flexibility is vital.
You might decide to rearrange sections to emphasize the most important pieces of information, tweak your experiences or tailor your skills for different jobs. You don't want to restrict yourself to a one-size-fits-all template. You should have one that molds to fit your career like a glove.
So, choose templates that are user-friendly and adaptable, allowing for quick changes.
(By the way, this is one of the main reasons I still haven't found an online resume builder I can recommend and prefer 100% customizable documents. I'll let you know when I find one!)
4. Consider Who Created It.
You wouldn't hire a graphic designer to design your house. You'd hire an architect—someone with expertise in creating functional, well-thought-out spaces that meet your needs. The same principle applies to resume templates.
So, when choosing a resume template, consider who created it.
Opt for templates designed by professionals with hiring or resume writing experience, such as recruiters, resume writers, and career coaches, rather than just graphic designers. These experts understand what employers look for and can craft templates that highlight your strengths effectively while ensuring your resume passes through applicant tracking systems smoothly.
5. Check for Compatibility.
The last thing you want is to spend hours choosing a resume template, only for it to come in a format you don't know how to use.
Ensure the template you're interested in is compatible with software you're comfortable using, ideally something that can be easily editable, like Word, Pages or Google Docs.
Resume Template FAQs
Here’s my take on some of the most common questions folks have about using resume templates.
Are Resume Templates Worth It?
As a huge fan of resume templates, I'm biased, but my definite answer is absolutely! (Over 8,000 happy customers agree. Check their reviews.) Whether you're just starting or an experienced professional, resume templates can save you tons of time and energy. If you’re new to creating resumes, a template provides a solid starting point, showing you the common structure and important info you shouldn't miss. For someone with more experience, templates keep your information tidy and easy to read, letting your skills and achievements shine.
As such, templates level the playing field, so you can put your best foot forward no matter your experience level.
Should Everyone Use a Resume Template?
Resume templates can be super helpful for structuring your information and saving time, especially if you’re not sure where to start. They’re great for making your resume look clean and professional without much effort.
However, if you want to stand out or work in a creative field, designing your own resume can add a personal touch that really shows your individuality and skills in action. Ultimately, it depends on your comfort level and how much customization you need for your specific job application.
How Can Using a Resume Template Benefit My Job Search?
A well-organized resume stands out in a stack, making it easier for recruiters to see why you're the right fit and helping you land interviews. Having said that, professional and done-for-you resume templates give you a competitive edge in a job search.
They make your resume look polished and professional, even if design isn’t your strong suit. Plus, they allow you to focus on content, not format, which means you can spend more time crafting content and resume bullet points that pop.
Where Can I Find Good Resume Templates?
There are several great sources for high-quality resume templates:
Word: Microsoft Word has a ton of professional templates you can use right in the program. They’re perfect for different job levels and industries, so it’s super convenient.
Google Docs: If you want something straightforward and easy to use, Google Docs has some free templates. They’re great for simple, basic designs.
ByRecruiters resume shop: For something a bit more specialized and not used by millions of job seekers worldwide, ByRecruiters resume shop has templates made by actual recruiters. They’re designed to fit current industry standards, so you know you’re getting a template that’s up-to-date and designed to impress HR and hiring managers.
How Can I Make My Resume Stand Out if I Use a Template?
Your content is king, even if you're using a template. The trick is to personalize your resume to put your achievements in spotlight. Use strong action verbs, quantify your successes where possible, and rearrange resume sections if needed to draw attention to your successes.
How Do I Choose the Right Resume Template for My Industry?
Consider how traditional or modern your industry is. For example, creative fields like social media, fashion, or graphic design might tolerate, or even welcome, a splash of color and unique layout. In contrast, finance or government jobs are likely to favor clean lines and conservative colors. (Not sure what colors are acceptable? Check the full guide on using color on a resume.)
Always ensure that while the template reflects your industry and unique style, it remains professional and readable.
Final Verdict: Do the Pros of Using a Resume Template Outweigh the Cons?
Used right, resume templates can be a game-changing tool in your job search. They help you stand out by emphasizing both style and substance in ways a DIY approach might not.
As a former Global Fortune 500 recruiter, I've seen firsthand how a polished template can make a candidate stand out. However, not all resume templates are created equal. Choosing the right resume template can significantly impact your job search success.
Ultimately, the pros of using a resume template outweigh the cons, especially when chosen wisely and customized carefully. So, go ahead—select a template that aligns with both you and your industry. Tailor it, plug in your achievements, polish the formatting, and you’ll get a step closer to landing your next job.