Free Résumé Examples and Sample Cover Letters
Create your own custom résumés and cover letters using the free
résumé examples and sample cover letters below!
From entry level to executive, chronological to functional, it's
all here. Simply choose a style that you like and add in your own
work experience, education and job objectives.
Here's what you need to do:
- Choose a résumé and cover letter style based on your needs
- Click on the underlined link for the template that you would
like to use
- Replace sample wording with your personal information
- All templates
are Microsoft Word.doc format and contain sample wording.
Samples of Résumé and Cover Letters - Chronological
The Chronological Résumé is by far the most common of résumé formats
used today. It's actually reverse chronological, listing all your
experience from most recent job to least recent job. The résumé examples
below were created for entry level through executive and each has
an accompanying cover letter. These free résumé examples and sample
cover letters were written specifically for Southworth by professional
résumé writers, members of the National Résumé Writers' Association.
Free résumé templates are only the beginning. Learn
how easy it is to create a better résumé
Samples of Résumé and Cover Letters - Functional
The other résumé format, functional résumés, organize your work
experience by functions, experience or competencies, rather than
by calendar dates. They were generally favored by new job seekers
with little work history and often ignored by recruiters. They focus
on what you can do rather than where you worked. Today with career
changes becoming more common, functional résumés can make a lot of
sense. If you've worked in diverse industries or careers, you can
use this résumé format to tie things together to show how your talents
and experience span broad industry disciplines. Functional résumés
can also help cover some embarrassing gaps between jobs if you were
caught up in the downsize debacle. The key to a good functional résumé
is making it quick and easy for the reader to understand what you're
looking to do and what experience you have to offer that's relevant,
without the reader having to spend much time and effort—because they
won't!
Don't forget to write a cover letter!
Cover letters are important; they are the salesman who gets your
résumé read and gets you the interview. The sample cover letters
above coordinate with the résumé examples. When you are writing your
cover letter, keep the following points in mind:
Try to address your cover letter to the hiring manager. If you don't
know who that is, put in a little effort to find out. Personalizing
your cover letters will go a long way.
Your résumé should contain the details of your experience; so, keep
your cover letters brief and to the point. A long cover letter will
most likely be discarded or ignored.
Focus on answering the following questions: Why should they grant
me an job interview? What can I do for their company if hired? How
does my experience match with the job?
Keep your cover letters positive and enthusiastic.
Finally, and most importantly, you should end the cover letter by
asking for an interview! Hey, that's the purpose; that's your desired
result. Write something like, "I am looking forward to meeting
with you at your earliest convenience. I'm really excited and appreciative
regarding this opportunity."
Still need help?
Your résumé may be one of the most important documents you create.
Unsure of what to write, how to say it or what words to use? Southworth's
Guide to Writing Résumés features suggestions, résumé examples and
high-impact words to help you create a résumé that stands out from
the rest. Click here for résumé writing tips!
OK, you downloaded the free templates and you read the guide but
you're still having trouble...
Don't despair! Résumé writing is a specialized form of copywriting
that requires many years of practice to perfect. While the majority
of job seekers write their own résumés, many struggle with the process.
If you need assistance, contact The National Résumé Writers' Association
for the name of a professional résumé writer in your area. www.thenrwa.com |