Should You Use Resume Templates or Write Your Own Resume?

Templates are everywhere, and plenty of people use them to get started. The catch: they can help or hurt depending on how you use them. Here’s how to make templates work for you instead of against you.

Are resume templates good or bad?

They can be useful as a starting point. A solid template gives you consistent formatting, spacing, and section order — which saves time and improves readability. The problem starts when the template dictates your content. Use it for structure; fill it with your real experience and voice.

What problems do templates sometimes create?

Some templates prioritise look over readability. Heavy graphics, icons, or unusual layouts can distract from what recruiters need: your experience and fit. And when lots of people use the same template, resumes can start to look the same. Differentiate through content, not decoration.

Should I customise a template?

Yes. The template should only provide the skeleton. Your achievements, tone, and emphasis should be tailored to you and the job. Without that customisation, even a nice layout feels generic. Structure from the template; substance from you.

Are simple templates better?

In most industries, yes. Minimalist layouts with clear headings and well-spaced bullets are easier to read and tend to work better with ATS. Simplicity supports clarity — and clarity is what gets you shortlisted.

Do recruiters judge candidates based on the template?

Not directly. They care about the information in the resume. That said, a messy or confusing template can make strong experience harder to follow. So the template should help, not get in the way.

What matters more than the template?

Content. Clear bullets, measurable outcomes, and experience that matches the role matter far more than the exact layout. A simple template plus strong content beats a fancy template plus weak content every time.