The first roadblock that many job seekers encounter is where and how to get started. The idea of opening a blank document and creating a resume is generally terrifying for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

A recent poll of professionals on LinkedIn revealed where they were getting started when creating their resumes. As most people would guess, 85 per cent of professionals create their resumes on Microsoft Word. This program is an obvious choice for most job seekers because it is user-friendly and already provides dozens of resume templates to choose from so that you’re not getting started with a blank canvas.

Microsoft Word

There are good reasons why Microsoft Word is the most popular program to create professional resumes. However, it may be unwise to use the resume templates provided on Microsoft Word.

Think about it – if 85 percent of professionals are using Microsoft Word to create their resume, that means 85 percent of professionals are choosing from the same list of resume templates.

In order to set yourself apart from the crowd, you should search online (or personally develop) a resume format and style of your own. To get ideas you can visit websites such as www.resumetemplates101.com.

Open Office

Second to Microsoft Word was Open Office with 7 per cent. The word processing function of Open Office (Writer) is also user-friendly and users who do not have access to Microsoft Word will often opt for this program instead.

InDesign & Photoshop

There is another side to resume development that is not on a word processing platform. Six percent of professionals said they used InDesign to create their resumes, and the final 2 percent of professionals say they used Photoshop. These programs are ideal platforms for professionals in a creative field that are looking to incorporate their technical and design skillset into their resume format.

If you are not in a creative field and/or industry, then we would recommend against developing a creative resume with InDesign or Photoshop. Professionals choose to use these programs due to their ability to include graphics and creativity in their resume as a selling point. Hiring Managers for creative positions will appreciate this additional effort from the candidate.

Hiring Managers in professional and business-oriented industries will expect a text-based Microsoft Word document, and will not appreciate the artistry and creativity of a document created in InDesign or Photoshop.

Choose a resume type.

There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume. Taking the time to choose the best type of resume for your situation is well worth the effort.

Choose the right font and size.

You want to choose a font and font size that is legible and leaves enough white space on the page. You also want to keep style features (such as italics, underlining, bold, and the use of bullets) to a minimum; reserve the use of boldface for section headings and for quantifiable achievements that you would like to have “pop” on the page (Example: “Secured and fulfilled $40,000 in donations ”). When you use a particular style, use it consistently.

Review resume examples.

Read through samples that fit a variety of employment situations. These sample resumes will provide you with examples of resume formats that will work for almost every type of job seeker. They also help you see what kind of information to include. However, whenever you use a resume example, be sure to customize your resume so it reflects your skills and abilities, and the jobs you are applying for.

Use a resume template.

Along with resume examples, you can use a resume template as a starting point for creating your own resume. Add your information to the resume template, then tweak and edit it to personalize your resume so that it highlights your skills and abilities.

Use resume keywords.

Most companies use recruiting management software to screen candidates for job openings. In order to get found, your resume needs to contain keywords that directly target the jobs you are interested in. This will also help the hiring manager see how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for the specific job.

Get resume advice.

Writing a resume is hard work, and it's often a good idea to get help before you send it to employers. You can find resume writing advice and resume writing tips here. You can also meet with a college career counselor if you are a college student or alumnus. You might use a professional resume service instead, or check with your state’s Department of Labor website for information on any free job services they offer. There are many great, free resume resources, so do some research before paying money for someone’s advice.

Proof your resume.

Be sure to thoroughly edit your resume before sending it. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as any style inconsistencies. Consider asking a friend or family member, or even a career counselor, to read over your cover letter.