
Making your own resume from scratch in Word is obviously even more difficult. Microsoft Word has a bit of a learning curve, so even something small like reordering the sections of a template can cause a major headache. However, Word has some drawbacks as well, such as the fact that many of the templates are dated and may produce a rather dull and drab end result, it can be difficult and time-consuming to make changes to a template, and the templates are not necessarily optimized for the current Applicant Tracking Systems ( ATS) that the vast majority of companies use to filter job applicants. And, if you decide to create your own Word resume without using a template, you will enjoy complete creative control - something you don’t necessarily get with a template or a resume builder tool. On the plus side, it’s free, there are many different templates available both within Word and online for use with Word, and for many years it has been the go-to program for creating your own resume.Īdditionally, a Word resume document can be easily edited by a recruiter if you choose to use one, whereas it’s much more difficult to make changes to a PDF or other type of document. Should You Create a Resume in Word?Ĭreating a resume in Microsoft Word certainly has its pros and cons. The job of your resume is to get you an interview.Īnd that fancy style that you love so much might be precisely the reason why you aren’t hearing back from your applications.This article will cover whether or not you should use Word to create your resume, how to make a resume in Word using a template or from scratch, and how to best format your Word resume if you decide to use the program. Now, I understand that you may find it hard to give up your current template, especially if it looks great, but remember. It’s not pretty, and it’s certainly not fancy. Yes, I know I just used the word ‘resume template.’ It also includes a free, truly ATS optimised template that you can download plus instructions on how to complete it.


In case you are feeling a little lost without the guidance of a template, we have free course for you that explains how to get your resume past Applicant Tracking Systems. It should have a reverse chronological format and the content should be the focus, not the design.Īfter all, both ATS and recruiters want to assess your key skills and experience to screen you for a position – not your ability to add funky bullet points and clip art!

Opt for a plain, vanilla style format that ATS can definitely read.
