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If you’re looking for a resume sample as a guide to writing your own resume you can probably find no better compilation of various resume samples than on the Internet. Here you will find a resume sample particular to your personal situation, whether you’re interested in advancing in your current career or changing careers, whether you’re a recent graduate or have gaps in your work history, whether you want a sales job or a technical position or a senior executive slot. A resume sample is available somewhere - and usually at many somewheres - no matter what your circumstance or dream job.

The home page of one college career center, for example, offered a general resume sample, as well as a resume sample if you’re focusing on experience related to the position for which you are applying, an education resume sample and a resume sample for a college student.

Let’s take a look at each. Keep in mind, though that a resume sample is not meant to be copied, with just a replacement of your contact information, education and experience. A resume sample, instead, is a guideline about layout and the format to use when setting up your own resume. A resume sample gets you started by pointing out what is important to include and in what order. A resume sample is just the right template to get you past any writer’s block you might have about writing your resume.

The first resume sample we see on this university site is the general resume. It lists the work experience in reverse chronological order, which is standard; although not necessarily the only way you can list your experience. Keep in mind that a general resume sample is not a good fit for everyone, but at least will walk you through the ingredients you must include in your resume recipe.

This general resume sample shows how and where to set up your contact information, your objective, your education, your skills, your work experience and specific aptitudes and pertinent affiliations.

The next resume sample we see on this site is the one for related experience. Here the difference is not in the material included but in the format and order of appearance. Here the resume sample starts with contact (as will any resume sample you use as a guideline) and next, as with the general resume sample, lists the objectives and education. Where it differs now, however, is that the experience is headed Relevant Experience, and the order of jobs is not determined by chronology but rather by its relevance to the position for which the candidate is applying. The first position and firm listed is the one that is most relevant, working backwards to the least relevant. In fact, if a position were to not be relevant at all it would not be included in this resume sample.

An education resume sample is somewhat similar to the relevant experience resume sample in that work experience is listed according to relevance rather than chronology, but there is some variation in the education listing. This is primarily because the education resume is used by those whose education is noteworthy and particularly relevant to the job for which they are applying. In this resume sample the education is followed by listings of credentials, and grades earned in relevant courses is listed as well (assuming they are high.)

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