Resume templates are everywhere. There are thousands of them online through websites, software programs, career platforms, and downloadable design marketplaces.
At first glance, resume templates seem like a quick and affordable solution – after all, they are visually attractive, professionally designed, and easy to customize.
Yet, as we all know in life, looks are not everything. Pretty is not everlasting and appearance alone does not guarantee that a resume will perform effectively in today’s hiring market.
Templates do not contain the substance needed in order for the candidate to excel over the competition in the job market.
Why Resume Templates Are Appealing
Resume templates are popular for various reasons that are mostly based upon perceptions, not hard facts:
- Simple and convenient.
- Formatting is taken care of for you
- A modern design will improve results
- Employers mainly care about appearance
- Just fill in the blanks and move on
- ATS compatibility is guaranteed
- Templates are one size fits all for all professions
- You can save tons of money just filling in the template no need for a resume writer
- Resume writing is just a design task
Templates, Career Strategy and Hiring Process Communications
The hiring process is far more complex than just a pretty template and very little effort. Modern day hiring processes reward neither.
Templates are not able to successfully narrate the crucial sticking points that are the make or break differences between getting interviews, getting hired or staying unemployed. A resume template simply provides structure.
A Template Cannot and Does Not Provide:
- Accomplishment history and strength
- Career direction
- Career goals
- Career strategy – no two candidates are the same
- Career transitions
- Employer expectations
- Employment history
- Experience level
- Industry and positioning within the industry
- Interview readiness
- Leadership background and presentation
- Professional branding
- Technical specializations
And Then There Is ATS Compatibility
Resume templates are not compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). And if the ATS system cannot successfully scan your resume, you fall off the radar before you even get started.
Template Designs Include:
- Text boxes
- Graphics
- Columns
- Tables
- Icons
- Complex layouts
- Decorative elements
- Colors
These are basic graphic design elements which have absolutely no place in modern resumes optimized for passing the ATS system and for expediently conveying your value proposition to any given company.
While these features are sometimes perceived as visually impressive, they interfere with how ATS software reads and processes information. Important details are parsed incorrectly or missed entirely during screening.
Why do you think so many professional resume writers prioritize clean structure and readability over heavy graphic design? Because the idea is to get you into the running for locking down that job, not for the Prettiest Resume Competition.
Templates Encourage Generic Writing
As we noted in the 2nd paragraph above, 5th bullet point down, templates encourage candidates to “fill in the blanks” rather than strategically develop content.
Result:
- Generic summaries
- Weak accomplishment statements
- Vague responsibilities
- Repetitive language
- Overused buzzwords
- Limited measurable impact
- Failure to communicate real value to employers
- Inappropriate / inaccurate terminology
Strong resume development requires so much more than “insert information here” into a pre-designed layout.