Most companies use applicant tracking software (ATS) to process résumés. Most online templates use text boxes that cannot be processed by that software; so, you must save the file as a PDF, not a Word (doc or docx) file. Not every company accepts PDFs. In short, usually the templates work, but do you want to take the chance that it didn’t?

Resume templates can be incredibly hard to use. They are very limiting, and you can only add your information in certain places and ways. Also, because of their formatting, they aren’t always ATS friendly. That said, a template can be a good place to start. Use it to get ideas how to set your resume up and what you should include–then write your own resume or hire an expert!

No, never. Yes, always.

Create a resume that is unique to you and who you are. A well-written, authentic resume means the difference between getting the interview and not. Online resume templates look and read the same. You are not like everyone else. Start from scratch. You’ll be glad you did.

The goal of the resume is to get you an interview. Most resume templates are sub-par, overused, and won’t do you any favors in standing out from the crowd. You’re better off taking charge of your job search and invest time in creating an original document that reflects your relevant skills, experiences, talents and positions you for the role that you want (not the one you have).

Template or not, you’ll need to write success stories from scratch, using a Challenge-Action-Result (CAR) formula to describe context for each win. A truly effective resume must be built to showcase your unique achievements and career path. Before you use a template, first save it in text (.txt) format, then view it in a text editor like Notepad to verify that it can be read by ATS systems.

Templates are not recommended. Most use text boxes that won’t work with the ATS software used by many companies. The templates also force you to fit your experience into specific boxes, limiting your ability to highlight all of your accomplishments and maximize the use of keywords. The result is that your resume is less likely to be read by a hiring manager.

Part of your resume strategy is to stand out from the competition. Your career journey is unique to you – it isn’t a cookie cutter experience. One way to stand out is to avoid using a template and create a resume from scratch. HR sees so many templates (insert a yawn). Put effort into personalizing your resume and making HR take notice.