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 Using a resume wizard is something we've talked about earlier in an article on resume templates. Still there seems to be some misconceptions around how a resume wizard should be used. In this publication we will discuss the pros and cons of using a wizard, how we think they can be helpful, and give you some information on where you can find a free resume wizard or two.
Advantages of Using a Resume Wizard
There is no doubt that there are some pretty slick tools out there that allow you to quickly pump out a good looking resume. In fact, that is probably the single biggest advantage of using a resume wizard - they put together a resume that looks professionally designed.
Professional Looking Resumes
Now if you don't think that a pretty looking resume is a big deal, then you've never looked at hundreds of resumes. There is no doubt that in some professions a nice layout can make a very big difference, but for others it might only give you a slight edge over the competition. If you're relying on your resume for a good first impression, then it should look professional.
A resume wizard will save you a lot of time normally spent on formatting your resume to make it look professional. In fact, most wizards will give you a choice of several professional looking layouts that you choose can from. In fact, we believe this is the biggest advantage of using a resume wizard. That being said, we will explore a second advantage of a wizard - speed.
Resume Wizards Save You Time
Some people really do want to put together a resume, but they simply do not know how to start one. This is like writer's block - they have some ideas of what they want or need to say, but they can't seem to figure out how to begin typing the words.
A resume wizard walks you through the process of creating a resume. It asks you for certain information - like your name, address and other contact information. These are critical elements that appear in any resume format. The resume wizard will ask you to fill in this information, and then later put that information into the layout you've selected.
Microsoft's Word application has a built in resume wizard that allows you to customize the categories of information. This means you can actually choose what information you would like to include in your resume. One nice thing that this wizard does is that it even allows you to choose between a chronological resume and a functional resume format.
But how does the user know what resume format to use? Remember, your resume is a personal advertisement, so choosing the format that highlights your strengths and de-emphasizes your weaknesses is important. Unfortunately, most resume wizards don't give you any hints on which format is best for your particular career history. This brings us to our next point of discussion.
Disadvantages of Using a Resume Wizard
Resume wizards are made for speed. After all, they are an add-on to most word processing applications and that makes them a secondary product. The writers of the resume wizard make some assumptions that might not be true. Specifically, that the user knows what kind of resume format will best highlight their career achievements.
Picking the Wrong Resume Format
This is a very big assumption and one of the disadvantages of using a resume wizard. The same people looking for help via this tool are very likely the exact same people that do not understand the pros and cons of each format. Fortunately, we have already covered this subject in our articles on combination resumes, functional resumes and chronological resumes. So before you use a resume wizard, make sure you read through these articles - it will save you time later when you realize that you've picked the wrong format.
Resume Wizards Lack Flexibility
Another disadvantage of using a wizard is the lack of flexibility they have to offer users. While it is true that Microsoft Word offers some degree of customization, but in the name of simplicity they have removed flexibility. This is the compromise that the user is expected to accept. However, when it comes to a resume, compromise is unacceptable. Fortunately there are ways around both of these disadvantages.
How to Use a Resume Wizard
The best way to use a resume wizard is by understanding the shortcomings of the process itself. Automation is great to a point, but it really needs to be supplemented with knowledge. Before using a wizard simply read up on how to go about writing resumes. The format you pick is a very important choice.
Once you understand which format you want to use, then you will be better prepared to make informed choices as the resume wizard walks you through the process. For example, one thing that you might learn is that a combination resume might be the best format to use, but the resume wizard does not allow you that choice.
You can get around this shortcoming by using the strength of the wizard to provide you will a baseline of information and a professional looking format. Then what you must do is to modify the resume created by the wizard to align it with the elements of the resume format you've chosen based on your reading. This means more work on your part, but if it gives you an edge when finding a job, then it is well worth the effort. This is really the only practical way to use a resume wizard.
Free Resume Wizards
Microsoft's Word comes with a resume wizard built right into it. The tool is pretty good and most modern personal computers include Word as part of the package. To access the resume wizard in Word, just simply create a new document and use the dialog box that allows you to choose a resume template wizard.
Keep in mind that you're not locked into using a resume wizard either. Resume templates serve the exact same purpose. They don't walk you through a process like a wizard, but they do create a professional looking format that you can modify to suit your career and background.
Most word processing applications today will import or read the other's format. So if you don't have Word, but you have another application like WordPerfect, then you can still interchange templates between these applications. You can download resume templates right from Microsoft's website.
You can also take a look at our samples of each of the three resume formats mentioned earlier:
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