Most people are somewhat lost when it comes to writing their resume. It isn’t a skill that we are born with, and usually, no one takes the time to teach us how to write a good one. Luckily, with so many available on the internet these days, finding a sample resume to work from is pretty easy.

To find the right example to start working from, figure out what kind of positions you will be applying for, and at what level. It’s okay if you want to use the same document to apply to multiple jobs, but if you know they are all entry-level or all management jobs, it will be easier to find a sample online that will be useful to you.

Along with samples to show you what a resume should look like, there are also templates. These are documents where you just plug your information in where you are supposed to, and then you can be done in seconds. Although these are a quick and dirty way to get the process done if you’re in a big hurry, they aren’t recommended.

Your resume tells the person reading it more about you than just the information that is typed on it. Because of this, the formatting, the style, and the amount of personalization that you put into it are important, too. If you just fill in a template, you are not demonstrating how much you want the job, or how much effort you are willing to put into it. People who seem to take the job more seriously are more likely to get it.

To start working, choose the example that covers the areas where you are most strong, or that are most relevant to the job at hand. Choosing a format with a lot of information that is fairly irrelevant to the job you are applying for, but which showcases your strengths, is a gamble. You want to look your best, but if it doesn’t look like you have an relevant education or experience, you might not get hired.

If you are changing industries after spending a significant amount of time in one (not just as a student or summer job), there are resumes that are set up to address that issue. Letting potential employers know upfront that you might not have much experience in the field, but that you’ve been doing well in your previous field makes you look a lot better than if you simply compiled your scarce experience in the desired field into a resume, and ignored experiences in your previous industry.

Look at a few online samples, or other websites, to get an idea of what is optional and what is not, if you aren’t sure. Some parts of a resume are essential and must be preserved, even if they take up space you’d rather not give. These include your contact information, your skills, your previous experience and your education. Other sections’ inclusion depends on the format you choose.

In a large company where your resume might not get seen by a person at all, including keywords from the job description in it can make the difference between being selected for real human eyes to see it and not. Fit these keywords in comfortably– don’t just shove them in. Judicious use of keywords can increase your chances of getting an interview.

To make sure that you look your best, and that people skimming the document will see your most impressive features, put the most relevant information at the top of each section. To do this, list your education backwards– highest degree attained at the top, lowest at the bottom. Put work experience in chronological order, but place skills in the order that best highlights your suitability for the position you are applying for.

Be sure that you are creating the correct document for the job, as well. Though it is more rare in the United States, jobs in other countries may ask for a CV (curriculum vitae) instead of a resume. This is a similar but different document, and you’ll want to make sure that you submit the correct one or you may be overlooked completely.

Using an online resume example can help you figure out where to start and how to tailor your document to the job that you are applying for, but don’t forget that it needs to be personalized. At any job where there is competition, the resume that is competent yet slightly unique is the one that is going to stick in your potential employers’ mind.