Free Sample Resumes

The Basics Are Always the Same

Applicants can spend hours researching free sample resumes, but since many of the same key components show up on all successful resumes, there’s really no need to exhaust a lot of brainpower on this.

Here are some quick tips from an HR manager regarding creating a resume.

What to Do

• Make it easy to read – formatting is important.
• Include dates, locations and company names.
• Include a broad statement of your position and most importantly, what you achieved in that position.
• Make sure the resume has relevant keywords that match those in the job posting.

What to Avoid

• Typos. Always. Have someone else review your work before submitting your resume.
• Mass-application resumes. Customize your resume specifically to each position for which you’re applying. Yes, it’s more work, but will garner much better results.

Types of Resumes

There are two primary resume formats.

Chronological

A chronological resume outlines the history of an applicant’s career, demonstrating each turn through qualitative accomplishments. If you’ve been with one company or within one industry for quite some time and have a strong record of continued upward mobility, this type of resume will showcase all of that very well.

In a chronological sample, the applicant makes it easy for the reviewer to scan for the skills that are important to the position. The prospect summarizes qualifications and provides a concise overview of job history, advances and achievements within his career. The objective zeros in on what both the company’s goal might be as well as what this potential new employee will do to accomplish it.

Functional

While it requires a little more finesse to write, a functional resume provides a great service for those with a more unorthodox work history or changes in career focus by strongly highlighting abilities. This is also an excellent resume for applicants reentering the workforce, recent graduates with scant experience and senior workers looking for new challenges.

Many employers skim a resume for information, so logic, order and job-specific keywords are important in this type of resume.

The example of a functional resume emphasizes the key skills of a marketing manager that are widely transferable to many similar positions and what he intends to do to increase his prospective company’s profitability. Again, the objective is specific to the company and to the point.

The Combination Resume Format

The combination resume format is a hybrid style that is becoming more popular because it incorporates the best features of both of the traditional formats and is more flexible.

College graduates, for example, may demonstrate the important factor of employment longevity -- even if it’s at Burger King -– through a brief chronological job history while listing some of the skills they’ve acquired in a functional format that may make them an attractive new hire.

The key to the combination resume is brevity. As this free sample demonstrates, headings help the reviewer’s eye move quickly over important points.

Where to Find More Free Sample Resumes

The Internet is riddled with resume-writing companies and many of them offer free sample resumes. Again, don’t overdo the search process, because after a while, they all look the same, and you’re still going to have to write one that best reflects your skills and career aspirations.

Download a couple of examples of each type, review, and then decide which format highlights your accomplishments with succinct style.

Monster

The company has made it their business to help you get a good job. Thus, their resume center is extremely comprehensive. One of the best features on Monster’s resume site is the resume makeover, wherein you have an opportunity to see what the resume looked like before, and then how it’s been punched up. This is a great idea generator for knowing how your resume can be improved.

College Grad

Collegegrad.com offers a variety of free sample resumes in major-specific templates to help you build one from scratch. A helpful resource for crafting that first resume.

Just As Important: The Cover Letter

While looking for free sample resumes, take the time to examine the structure of a good cover letter as well. Even though many applications and resumes are accepted online, it’s still important in a cover letter or opening paragraph field to present yourself well.

Remember:

• Demonstrate a focus – show yourself as someone who knows what they want to do.
• Provide evidence that you’ve read the job posting and understand the type of person needed for the position.
• Show interest in the company.