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Let Sample Resumes Inspire You, Not Define You |
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Let Sample Resumes Inspire You, Not Define You
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to find a sample resume that matches your background, copy it to your word-processing program, make minor changes and be done with the arduous task of creating a dazzling resume? While that would be ideal, you can shortchange yourself and sabotage your job search if you base your resume on a sample document.
The good news is that if done correctly, taking ideas from resumes in books or free resume examples online can greatly improve your own. Here’s how to use resume samples without copying them verbatim. The Pitfalls of Using Sample Resumes "The problem with using a template or copying someone else's resume -- whether from a book or from a friend -- is that it doesn't allow for the uniqueness of each person's s****s, experience and career history," explains Louise Kursmark, a career consultant and principal of Best Impression Career Services. Kursmark is also the author of 18 career-management books, including Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives and Executive's Pocket Guide to ROI Resumes and Job Search. Resume writing veteran and author Teena Rose concurs. "Job seekers need to understand that resumes are like fingerprints; no two are (or should be) alike,” she says. “Resumes should differ because of the varying education levels, career experience and scope of s****s that job seekers possess.” Additionally, copying a sample the author hasn't given permission to copy is plagiarism, so check the copyright notice. How to Effectively Harness Sample Resumes Kursmark says there is nothing wrong with taking a little bit from various samples to make it easier to construct your own resume. "That's what sample books are for: To inspire you and guide you," she says. For example, "You might really like one person's introduction -- the way they've clearly presented their unique value -- and use that introduction as a guide for writing your own distinct content," Kursmark says. "Or you might grab a bold accomplishment statement from someone else's resume and update the numbers or results to make it applicable to you.” Here are more of Kursmark's tips to help you make the best use of resume samples:
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