Create Resume Templates to Save Time, Avoid Sending Out the Same Resume

You've heard the advice over and over that you should customize your resume for the job you're applying for, but if you're unemployed and apply to dozens of jobs every day, that's a daunting task. Here's a quick middle-ground tip to help you spend more time applying for jobs than preparing to apply, while still making an impact every time you hit "send."

Over at US News Money, Arnie Fertig lists off a number of great tips for job seekers—like remembering to treat your job search as a full-time job—but one tip that stood out to us was a simple one: name your resume [firstname lastname] resume.doc/pdf/etc, and each time you send it, rename the file to [firstname lastname] resume for XXX company.doc/pdf/etc. When the recruiter gets the attachment, they'll immediately know that this resume isn't just up to date, it's built with this job in mind.

Don't use this as an excuse to just fudge it though, we'd suggest making a few templates or different resumes for different types of jobs that you tend to apply for, that way each template highlights accomplishments and skills that are most relevant to that type of job. For some more great ways to stand out from the applicant crowd, hit the link below.

8 Commandments for Every Job Hunter | US News Money

Photo by Michael Nutt.