Create a Resume from a Template

• 1). Click the start menu on your computer and navigate to the Microsoft Office folder. Double-click on the Word icon to launch the program.
  
  
• 2). Click the "File" tab at the top of the Word window. Scroll down to the Office.com templates and double-click on "Resumes and CVs." Select the resume template that best suits your specific career path or one that you find tasteful and appropriate.
  
  
• 3). Highlight the words within a set of brackets with your cursor and begin to type in your personal information. This will delete the pre-existing content while retaining the original style of the resume. For example, highlight "[street address]" and begin to type "123 Main Street."
  
  
• 4). Replace the bracketed prompts throughout the resume. If you encounter a section that has too many prompts for your situation or a section that you do not need, highlight the entire section, blank lines included, and delete it all at once. This helps ensure that you do not affect the formatting built in to the template.
  
  
• 5). Refer to your paperwork as needed when specifying months and years in your employment and educational history. Save your resume often. Save a master copy of the resume as a separate file for backup purposes and for easy editing later.
  
  

Create a Resume from a Blank File

• 1). Open a new blank document in Word. Select a font and a font size. Save your resume and continue to save it regularly throughout the creation process.
  
  
• 2). Type in your name. Your name should have one line to itself and be presented in a larger font than your other information to ensure it stands out. Names are often centered across the top of a printed resume. Use your full name, and don't use initials or nicknames.
  
  
• 3). Enter your address, telephone number and email address either immediately above or below your name. Separate each element of your information with a bullet point or another simple shape. Center this information if your name is centered.
  
  
• 4). Enter your resume information. Include sections for your job experience, education and references. Make each section header prominent with a large front size or a colored font, and use an underscore or line to separate the header from the description.
  
  
• 5). Separate the information presented in your sections through the use of indents, tabs and bullet points. When you are done entering these details, use the ruler at the top of your document window as a guide to ensure that any information moved with the tab keys is aligned with the related information in prior sections.
  
  
• 6). Save your completed resume for backup and for future reference.