With the unemployment rate in the United States having shot well past 6 percent, and new reports of layoffs every day, job seekers are going to have to stand out from the crowd with top-quality resumes if they want a shot at an interview and job offer. By using professional resume templates, job seekers can be confident that they are making a good impression.

Unfortunately, resume design and format is often an afterthought, even in industries where the need for an applicant to demonstrate his or her experience in the field is a given.

Part of the problem is that job hunters don't always anticipate that they may need to put a resume together quickly. But even people who know they will soon be looking for work are at a loss when it comes to deciding on a format for their resume.

Some spend hundreds of dollars or more on resume services that may have long turn-around times. Others cobble together a so-so resume on their own or end up settling on one of the handful of resume templates preloaded into Microsoft Word. Some people just update the same resume they've used during their last three job searches. But in today's competitive job market, the resume you used when you graduated college 15 years ago just isn't going to cut it.

It's a good idea, especially in these uncertain times, to always have your resume updated and on hand.

Before deciding on a resume template, determine, based on your experience and career goals, whether you want to go with the classic, reverse-chronological employment-focused resume or a resume that highlights achievement and skills. If you're seeking a job in research, or at a school or university, an academic resume may be more appropriate.

A resume should be distinctive, but not flashy. Don't be afraid to use full color in a resume, but be mindful of the industry you're in. For example, graphic designers are smart to use fun, flashy resume templates, while people from more traditional business settings are better off sticking with something sleek and polished.

Pre-formatted resume templates allow the user to customize the content by typing over the placeholder text in a way that retains the fonts and styles. Resume templates save time, money and headaches job seekers can focus their attention on presenting their skills and experience to a potential employer.

Once you have your resume ready, be sure to print it on high-quality paper (weighty paper stock with at least 25 percent cotton content is considered proper). Send it in a nice envelope as well. You may be able to submit your resume online. If so, Microsoft Word is a commonly used program and virtually any employer or human resources department should be able to open a resume template designed in Word.

If you have the skills and the interview savvy, then a polished, professional-looking resume will just help seal the deal. You don't want to look like every other candidate vying for the job, so don't submit a resume that looks like everyone else's.

Copyright 2008 by Kevin Savetz

Kevin Savetz is creator of Instant Resume Templates http://www.instantresumetemplates.com/, a site offering dozens of professional-quality resume templates to download, customize and print for free. He also created Cover Letter Examples .net http://www.coverletterexamples.net/, which features cover letter templates.