Free Resume Samples - Should You Copy Free Resume Samples?© David Alan Carter Free resume samples are everywhere on the internet. Whether you're an accountant or a zoologist, a little bit of internet surfing will uncover a trove of free resume samples ripe for the picking. And yes, it's tempting to simply copy and paste the contents of those resume samples directly onto the resume you're struggling to write. It's tempting. It's easy. But is it smart? Free Resume Samples - A Cautionary NoteA couple of points that might seem obvious, but in the heat of the moment (when you uncover that seemingly ‘perfect' resume sample
1 - You don't know where that sample's been. I know, that sounds an awful lot like your mother scolding you as a child to take that stick (or pencil, or shoe, or toilet plunger) out of your mouth. But sometimes, mothers know what's best. In the case of free resume samples you uncover on the internet, there's no telling how many times that text has been copied and pasted onto documents. If a hiring official has seen the exact same objective and summary language on four resumes that have come across his desk that morning, how do you think he'll react when he sees your document duplicating the same all over again? Not favorably, I suspect. 2 - You don't know if the resume you're tempted to copy was even effective. Question: if you copy text from a lousy resume, what does that make your resume? Remember the old axiom, garbage in, garbage out. Unless you have it on good authority that the resume sample is a real gem, it's just as likely a lump of coal. Fact is, many folks who aren't trained in resume writing simply can't tell just by looking at a resume if it satisfies all the criteria that hiring officials are looking for. Is it formatted for maximum benefit of the candidate's qualifications? Is it keyword rich? Does it demonstrate subtle branding techniques that set the candidate apart from his/her competitors? Is it sufficiently promotional without seeming biased?How To Use Free Resume SamplesI don't want to scare you away from the free resume samples that you might find on the internet. Check them out, by all means. But put them to use by studying the different formats (the style and structure of the resume, including the breakdown of categories) and the content - with respect to the way the author chose to phrase responsibilities, accomplishments, etc. Use resume samples as a tool from which to glean ideas, and as an opportunity to immerse yourself in the language of the craft. Take what you've learned from studying samples, and apply those lessons with originality toward the
writing of your own document. By avoiding cookie-cutter language and down-right copied text, you're more likely to
build a professional tribute to an actual individual, and subsequently attract the eye of a hiring official. That's
a good thing. A Final Thought...It goes without saying that your resume needs to be "top shelf" -- before you submit it to a company website. If you're considering a professional resume service, make sure their writers are certified, have experience with your industry, and will take the time to discuss your needs and gather information over the phone. And a service that will stand behind their work. Yes, they're out there. Our Resume Writer Reviews page identifies 10 or more of the more popular companies out there, and I rank these writers on values like...
You’ll find star rankings, mini-reviews, and in-depth reviews on each of the 10 companies. Whether you go it alone or trust the services of a pro writer, I wish you the best of luck in your job search! – David
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