There are different situations that require the use of a resume. Whether you are a student or a professional, a resume serves as a tool that provides a concise description of your experiences and activities. While most commonly used in the pursuit of a job, a resume also serves the needs of students in applying to programs of study or in applying for scholarships. Creating a resume is important because it provides information when you aren't available in person. A resume may accompany an application or be submitted in person. Sometimes it will receive immediate attention. Other times, a resume will be placed in a file indefinitely. No matter how your resume is received or used, you want it to be a neat presentation that is easy to read. Online resume templates can provide an excellent starting point in building your resume. Online resume templates provide you with the opportunity to look at different styles. They allow you to download and work with those designs that best stand out. Online tools such as these are excellent for allowing you to try different organizational approaches in order to see what looks best to you. While there are many online resume templates to consider, it's important to choose carefully. Using a lot of bright colors in your resume isn't professional. Whether you need your document for school or work purposes, neat details in black and white are the best options. Avoid adding images to your resume, and avoid online resume templates that incorporate clip art or other pictures. Bullet points and lines can serve as organizational tools in your resume. Look for online resume templates that use these items neatly. Look for templates that don't use unusual fonts. While your goal in drafting a resume is to attract attention, you don't want to draw attention to unprofessional choices in your introductory paperwork. Keep it neat and keep it simple. Less is more with a resume. Prepare your resume content separately from the template. Once you are satisfied with your content, begin to add it to your template in order to see how well it works within the structure of the template. If it doesn't look neat or professional, consider using a different template. In fact, it helps if you have a few templates from which to choose so that you can try some variations. Using an online resume template gives you lots of options.