Free Word Resume Template

If you're looking for a free Word resume template, the first place to start your search is Microsoft. Microsoft is the creator and producer of Word®, which is word processing software. Most computers today come with Microsoft's Office Suite pre-installed, so you may already possess a free word resume template on your computer. Many computers with Microsoft Office Suite also feature helpful resume "wizards" that simply prompt you to input certain information and then it automatically creates the document for you, complete with proper formatting and headings. If the selection on your computer is limited, there are still many places to obtain a free template that may be more to your liking.

Microsoft offers a wide range of templates, including a free Word resume template. They offer the following types of templates:

• Basic Resumes
• Job Specific Resumes
• Situation Specific Resumes

It will be helpful to know the various formats of resumes, so you can narrow your search to the one which meets your needs most effectively. Types of resumes include:

• The Functional Resume will focus on your skills, accomplishments and credentials. Place the emphasis on your achievements, not on the company you worked for. Group your experience, qualifications and achievements all together to highlight your specialties.
• A Professional Profile is more like a mini biography, the profile resume highlights your achievements.
• The Chronological Resume is the industry standard. It's appropriate for almost all situations. It highlights your upward mobility, reliability, achievements, education and experience. It provides a quick reference for a little of everything the employer needs and wants to know.
• Combination Resume combines the profile with employment and education, listed in reverse chronological order.

When considering which to put first, education or experience, consider that whatever is first is what your potential employer will see first. It will have the greatest impact. So it makes sense to put the one where you excel first. If you have 20 years experience, put it first. If you have a Ph.D., put education first within the body of the resume. Remember that every resume should be customized to the particular job and company to which you are applying. For example, tailor a business resume for a marketing position to highlight your skills and training in business and marketing. For a position as a director, you will want to highlight your management experience and training.

Once you have your free template, spend some time creating the ideal resume for you. Tailor it to fit the specific job by highlighting the most pertinent skills. Modify it to reflect your achievements best, geared toward the skills that are necessary for the job to which you're applying. For example, if you are applying for a marketing job, you will need to show that you have experience and expertise in marketing. The employer is probably not interested in your babysitting skills, hair design skills or cooking experience (unless of course you can transfer the skills you gained in those positions to marketing.)

Experts commonly recommend either the chronological resume or a modified version over the functional resume. The chronological resume fits most positions. Exceptions to that rule are when you are extremely qualified for a particular position, and you want the employer to see this right away. Other exceptions would be when you have a PhD or have written a number of books, important papers, etc. You will want to focus more specifically on these achievements with a functional resume.

Finally, take a look at sample resumes to see how other people have done it. Samples are great to glean ideas from. You can find sample resumes for marketing positions, sales positions, freelance writing positions and most any job area you're interested in.

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