The most searched keywords regarding resumes inevitably include “free” or “template.” Nobody wants to pay for something they think they can do themselves. A quick search will turn up dozens of different services and sites that offer free assistance in writing your own resume. But before you decide to sign up for any of these services, you should first do your research on them. As with any industry, even resume writing services have their dark side.
One of the most common free resume template services involves an app where you provide your information such as name, education, work experience, etc., and the app automatically plugs it into a ready-made template. But before you’re allowed to save your document or print it, you’re asked to pay a small, insignificant fee, often around $2, or sometimes provide your credit card information for a “free” proof that You can supposedly cancel at any time. Not too bad for something other people can pay several hundred dollars for, right? Think again.
Hidden deep in the fine print, which no one seems to read anymore anyway, is the agreement you make to be charged for an automatically renewing subscription service. Before you know it, your credit card is being charged $40, $50 or even more every month. If you look at some of the consumer reviews on some of these “free” resume services, you’ll find that unfortunately many people don’t pay much attention to their credit card statements and may end up having these recurring charges for more one year old What you thought was “free” or just a couple of dollars ends up being several hundred dollars or more, depending on when you notice the fraudulent charges.
Often, you will have little or no luck disputing the charges with your bank or credit card company. If the charges are recurring on your account, it will be assumed that you have accepted them. This is another good reminder to always keep an eye on your bank and credit card amounts. And good luck trying to dispute the charges with the actual company over the phone or email. Why would they want to give you the time of day to write off charges when hidden fees and surcharges are your bread and butter? Always be wary of businesses without verifiable physical addresses, and research consumers beforehand.
Many people looking to have a written resume are unemployed and looking to save money wherever they can, so they turn to “free” resume-making websites that they think will improve their chances of securing interviews. The sad reality is that there are many companies out there whose entire business model is based on ripping off the poor and indigent with hidden fees and a poor product. If you’re looking for help writing your resume, always do your research before handing over any credit card information. Also, ask your friends and family what has worked best for them. Legitimate and professional resume writing services may not be for everyone, but they help a large number of job seekers. Sometimes the initial investment is well worth the reward. An effective, well-written resume could be the difference between landing a new job in the next two weeks and landing a new job. you’ll get a job in the next few months, and all that lost income will add up.
Really Free Resume Templates
You probably already have resume templates installed in whatever word processing software you have. There are plenty of places where you can legitimately download them for free online and just enter the necessary information yourself. For many people, this is as far as writing a resume can go. Write a simple goal, name the school you attended, describe your work experience, and list any certifications. The problem is that while templates can give you a basic formatting outline, they don’t tell you what to actually write in it or how to write it. Just as everyone is different, every resume should be different.
Remember, free resume templates are designed to grab your attention, not the attention of the people who really matter, like hiring managers and recruiters. They may try to surprise you with different fonts, graphics, and colors, but this is not what employers are looking for. You may think that you would be interesting, creative and eye-catching if you used a unique resume template, but in the eyes of the hiring authority it will be clear as daylight that you used another generic resume template.
When I was in charge of recruiting previously, one of my most memorable examples was of a person who described himself as a “creative guy” and “competent in Microsoft Office.” Sure, the format and style of her resume was a bit out of the ordinary, but it was also obvious that they used a fairly standard resume template. Why would you want to hire someone who claims to be “creative” and “Microsoft Office proficient” if she can’t even format her own resume?
When looking at resumes, hiring authorities want documents that are simple, clean, and to the point. With a competitive job market, a Human Resources officer can sift through hundreds of resumes for a single position. They don’t spend too much time on each one, usually just taking a quick look before deciding whether to throw it away or whether the candidate needs a closer look.
One final caveat about free resume templates is the question of how compatible they are with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Many businesses, especially large corporations, use ATS software to shortlist applicants. This software scans the document for things like experience level, skills, certifications, educational background, industry keywords, and more. If you have a strangely formatted resume, it will be difficult for the software to read your resume. Even if you’re the perfect candidate and have a well-written resume, it might get thrown in the trash before a set of human eyes sees it.
