When used correctly, a resume is an effective tool leading to interviews and job offers. Your resume supplies prospective employers with information such as employment history and education. However, because employers are looking for candidates to fill specific job requirements, it's important that you tailor your resume for each employer. One way to accomplish this is to create a resume template. This template will include basic facts, but it will not include specific details. You will fill in the details of your work history and specific skills highlighting those that closely matching the job requirements for each prospective employer.

How to Create a Resume Template

Gather your previous employment information. To complete your resume template, you will need your current contact information, a list of past employers, employer locations, dates of employment and positions held.

Open a new document in your word processing program. When saving your document, select "Save As" and select "Document Template" in the save as type box. Name the file as you would any other document and save the file to the location of your choice. You have now created a template document.

Insert your contact information into the template centered at the top of the page. Include your full name, address, telephone number and email address.

Create headings for key components of your resume including your objective, employment history, education and skills. Use a bold font for each heading.

Fill in your employment history data including your previous employers, employer locations, dates of employment and positions held. Fill in your education history.

Save and close your template. You have now created your resume template.

How to Use a Resume Template

Open your Internet browser. Select "Open File" from the file tab on your browser's toolbar. Open the resume template you created. Opening the template from your Internet browser will ensure the template is opened into a new word processing document rather than opening the template itself.

Promptly save your new word processing file. You may want to use the prospective employer as your new document's name.

Utilizing data from your prospective employer's job description, insert specific information into your resume. Highlight the tasks you performed and skills you used that match those mentioned in the job description. Write a brief objective mentioning the employer by name. Once you finish, do not forget to save your work.

Follow the steps in the "How to Use a Resume Template" each time you need to create a tailored resume.