Writing your resume can be tricky. From things to avoid to things you have to include, there are several things to keep in mind. The ultimate goal of your resume is to convey to an employer you’re the best candidate. You want that phone call for an interview. You want that dream job. But you won’t get your foot in the door without a solid resume template.

Why create a resume template? The point behind a template is simple: your resume should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Depending on the position you are applying to, you may need to highlight different aspects of your work history. For example, if you are applying for a manager position, you’ll want to highlight work experience that shows you as a team leader rather than the data entry work you have performed. When creating your resume template though, there are a few things you need to avoid:

Generalization

As you begin typing away on your resume, you need think about concrete details. It’s easy to say something like: “responsible for a team of five people.” But that statement is passive. How did you lead them? Where did you lead them? Instead, try something like: “Lead a marketing team of five through company social initiatives, campaign planning, and analytic tracking.” By being more specific, potential employers will gain a better understanding of the work you have done and the work you are capable of doing.

Showcasing Duties

Similar to generalization, when you talk about the duties you performed on a daily basis, your resume will be overlooked. Most of the candidates who submit their resume are going to have similar duties listed. Instead of listing the duties you performed, showcase some of your accomplishments. If you helped increase sales by 20%, then put that on your resume. If you increased social followers by 50%, then that should be on your resume. Remember, the person looking at your resume wants someone who stands out—stands above the rest of the applicants—so show them what you are really capable of.

Poor Objective Statement

One thing many resume templates contain are poorly written objective statements. These statements aren’t your cover letter and they aren’t your resume. Don’t try to cram everything into this one statement. Rather, it needs to be a specific sentence based on what you want in your career/job. Be specific with your goals and where you ultimately want to end up. Avoid language that lacks passion and conviction.

Too Many Styles

In an attempt to get employers to notice you, there is temptation to make your template flashy with various fonts, sizes, images, and other eye-catching things. Unfortunately though, when you start using several of these things, it can be distracting. Keep your resume template style simple, unless you are a designer. You should stick to one or two fonts. Size of fonts should help the flow of your template.

Creating a great resume doesn’t need to be complicated. Just remember to keep things specific and simple. One thing you need to always think about before submitting your resume is whether you customized it for the employer or not. If you aren’t speaking directly to the position you’re applying for, then you’re doing something wrong.

Do you have any questions about what should or shouldn’t be in your resume template? Ask your questions below and we’ll get back to you!