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Free Resume Sample - Which One Suits You?

Over the years, I have often been asked by clients to share free resume samples with them and/ or via my website, that focused on a variety of different career paths. This got me to thinking about bringing them together on a website. I must admit that I kept putting it off knowing what a mammoth task it would be to remove all references to ‘real’ people and situations. Finally, however, I relented and with the help of a few colleagues who allowed me the use of their own samples, as well as some of my most popular resumes, the following list evolved.

Not sure how to download your free resume sample? Simply click on the corresponding link to the sample you’re interested in, then right click on the image to save it to your computer. Open the image as a word document and rewrite and redesign as you see fit.

Enjoy!

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Select from our free resume sample list and then follow the steps below:

Firstly, realise that this will take longer than a few minutes. Set aside several hours, a Saturday afternoon for example especially if you haven’t got an existing resume to work from.
If you are starting from scratch, you will need a pen and paper or if you prefer a computer with Microsoft Word (recommended) or similar.
Set the tone. Tailoring the resume to the job you are applying for leads to the best results. Are you applying for a similar role, are you experienced in the job that you seek or is this a career change? These are all questions you need to ask to tailor your resume correctly.
Set the frame work. Think about your work history and quickly jot down the positions you’ve held, who you worked for and the dates you worked there. Double check details and spelling to ensure accuracy. Some suggest going back only five years, but I disagree. If you’ve changed jobs often, then this may be okay because you will be able to demonstrate a wide range of skills in that short time-frame. However, if you have been loyal to one employer for more than five years, it is a good idea to go back further to demonstrate experience you’ve acquired prior.
Now its time to flesh out your work history. If you have job descriptions for each, you’re lucky. Use them. No job description? Try and get access to them or at the very least, try to research them on the internet. If they are not available, you will have to work from memory. The samples here are simplified. Your job is to expand on your duties.
For example, a bus driver doesn’t just drive a bus. The driver has to maintain the bus. Learn his route. Keep to time. Run safety checks. Keep records. Ensure the safety of your passengers and other road users. Keep up-to-date with the road rules. Maintain all current licences. The list goes on. I cannot stress the importance of fully detailing your duties. It helps the employer understand exactly what you can do, and it helps you understand your strengths as well.
Ensure the layout is attractive (check through the samples for inspiration) - use bullet points, bold letters, different fonts, and colour etc. Do not use photographs unless your job requires it. The average resume is 3 pages long maybe more for certain industries – and shorter in the US.
Then, after you have completed all of the above, it is now time to right your summary. Why? Because now you have all the information you need to do it justice. You know your strengths and you can now write a concise yet powerful paragraph that will compel the reader to seek an audience with you. This paragraph goes at the beginning of the resume, after your name and contact details.
If you have identified specific skills, you can add bullet points shortly following the summary i.e., Advanced Microsoft Suite Experience, Quickbooks Accounting Software, Multi-lingual including Mandarin and Russian etc.
Are you happy with the result? Good. Now proofread it twice for flow (do dates etc match up). Check spelling and grammar - twice. Have someone you trust proofread it. Then use an online programme like Grammarly to check again. Then let it rest over night and go back the next day fresh-eyed and check again – you will be surprised what you find.
Only then are you ready to apply. And don’t forget the cover letter, these are equally as important as resumes in ensuring you are short-listed.

Guess what? You’re done. Now all you have to do is keep your resume up-to-date with each new job. Refresh your cover letter using the same format you designed the resume with. Tailor both to the job on offer. This way you will always be prepared to submit your application early, staying one step ahead of the rest.

You’re worth it!

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