Template FAQ

Which resume template is best?

There are no one-size-fits-all resumes. Each job posting is unique, as is your personal work history and skill set. That being said, we have divided our resumes into design libraries that can help you find the right resume to suit your needs.

Our Best, Simple and Clean and Modern resume template libraries are perfect for jobs in traditional or straightforward fields like banking, finance, legal departments, retail or construction.

These minimal designs place the focus on your qualifications, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly learn about your employable skills.

However, if you're looking for an open job position in a creative field like marketing, design and advertising or a lifestyle brand like a magazine or video production, use a Creative or Contemporary resume from our libraries.

If you’re an entry-level or young job seeker with less than 10 years of experience, use a one-page resume. As PARWCC certified resume writers, we recommend adding a page for every additional ten years of experience.

What is a resume format?

A resume format is sometimes confused with a resume design, but there’s a difference and it’s important.

Design is straightforward, it’s the way that your information looks on the page.

The format is different. It’s the way that your information is organized on the page. That effects the way your page looks, but the format serves a different purpose.

For resumes, there are three main formats: chronological, functional and combination. The chronological format benefits employees with long and consistent work histories while the functional format showcases jobseekers’ skills over their scant work history. The combination format is for candidates who have some experience but not a lot.

Choosing the right format presents your work history and skills in the best possible light. See our Resume Format Guide for excellent advice and format-exclusive templates.

Which format do most employers prefer for resumes?

Of the three common resume formats you can choose from: chronological, combination and functional, according to career experts at The Muse, most employers prefer the chronological format because it is easy to quickly understand your career history. That’s why it is the most popular.

However, you can easily choose either the functional or combination format if you have less experience. They both feature the same sections in slightly rearranged structures.

Is it a good idea to copy someone else’s resume?

It’s a good idea to look at other professionals’ resumes to see how you want to present your own information, but you definitely should not copy.

Your resume is a unique summary of what you are capable of and what you’ve accomplished — another applicant’s resume isn’t going to reflect that.

Plus, it is very easy for recruiters and employers to research your background and discover if your employment history and skills don’t line up with your experience. In 2017, 85% of HR professionals uncovered a lie or misrepresentation on a candidate’s resume or job application during the screening process — up from 66% five years prior.

Even if you manage to get a job interview or position, this falsehood could catch up to and negatively affect your future references and job opportunities. Be honest on your resume — it’s better for you in the long run.

Do employers prefer one-page resumes?

A one-page resume may be the standard format accepted by employers, but they’re willing to look at longer resumes in our current digital age. Your resume can be longer if you have more than 10 years of experience if each of your previous job roles included unique responsibilities that directly relate to the open job post. The general rule is one page for every ten years.