Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What program do I need to use these templates?
A: All resumes are compatible with Microsoft Word and the free, open-source program LibreOffice (which can be downloaded here). I'm currently working on making all resumes available for Apple Pages, as well! So far the templates that are compatible with Pages are The David Attenborough, the Audubon, and the Borges.
Q: I downloaded a template but my computer won't open it. Help!
A: First, make sure you're using Microsoft Office for desktop, not the online or mobile app version. Unfortunately, Word's online service and Google Docs don't allow you to use documents with lots of formatting like these templates!
Secondly, make sure you're using an unzipping tool to open the template package. Both Mac and Windows operating systems come with one installed. For Mac, just double click the file. For Windows, right click the file and choose 'extract all.' More information for Windows users can be found here. If your native unzipping program for Mac isn't working, download the Unarchiver tool.
Q: I have a lot of experience and need more than one page. What template should I use?
A: Many templates come with two page versions that cram in just about all the experience you could possibly need! Try the Alexander Humboldt, the Atticus Finch, the Audubon, the Carl Sagan, the David Attenborough, the David Foster Wallace, the Fatima Al-Fihri, the Frank O'Hara, or the Richard Feynman.
Q: I don't have much experience yet. Is there a template that would work for me?
A: Absolutely! Templates that are great for those just starting out in the workforce are the Grace O'Malley, the free David Attenborough, the Emily Dickinson, and the Wangari Maathai. You can also make up for lack of experience by including or substituting sections with volunteer work, your personal objectives, a photo or icon, or even a quote you live by.
Q: How do I save my resume as a PDF?
A: There are two ways to do this. One is: File > Save As, then select PDF from the drop down menu. If this option isn't available to you, or if you have an older version of Word, try going to File > Print. In the bottom corner you'll see a button that says PDF. Then save as usual. Make sure you choose "Best for Printing", and ignore any subsequent messages about margins. Open it up after to make sure it matches your Word document. Ta da!
Q: When I save my resume to PDF, it changes! How do I fix this?
A: To avoid this problem, when you go to save your resume as a PDF, make sure you have "best for printing" selected if given the option. Ignore any messages about the margins, since you'll be delivering your PDF digitally. If you want to print your resume, print it straight from the Word document.
Q: How do I move text boxes and lines around by small amounts?
There are two ways to move text boxes incrementally. The first is by holding down Option on a Mac or CTRL on PC, then use the up and down arrow keys to move it. The other way is by holding down CMD on a Mac or ALT on a PC and moving the element around with your mouse.
Q: I can't seem to select a line / border. It's driving me crazy!
A: Word is a nightmare sometimes! A neat trick to help you select objects is going to Layout > Selection Pane. Click on various items to select them until you've found the one you need to move. Then use your arrow keys to nudge it around. If you still need help, send me an email!
Q: I moved around the text boxes and now they're not aligned. How do I make things straight?
Just hold down shift and select everything you'd like to be aligned together. Go to Layout > Align > Align Selected Objects. Then choose to align them to the center, the furthermost left object, or the furthermost right.
If it's just one text box and you want to make sure it's centered on the page, or aligned to the margins, go to Layout > Align > Align to Page. Then choose the appropriate option!
Q: There's a white border around my PDF. Why doesn't it look the same as in Word?
A: For resumes that have blocks or graphics that extend to the very edges of the page, you'll need to set up a "borderless" page. Go to File > Page Setup. Then under Paper Size, select "Manage Custom Sizes". Click the + icon to add a new custom page size. Name is "Borderless A4" or "Borderless US Letter" depending on your paper size. Then, set the top, bottom, left, and right entries to '0'. Click okay, then save your resume as a PDF. Voila: no more white border!
Q: When I print my resume, there's a white border around it. Why?
It sounds like you're using a template with elements that extend to the very edge of the page (e.g. the Cousteau or Wangari). Unfortunately, in order to print these accurately, you'll need a printer capable of printing to the edge of the page. Most home printers aren't able to do this; for that reason, you may need to go to a printing shop. These resume templates are best saved to PDF and submitted digitally (see the above question or the template instructions on how to set up a borderless page). If you'd like a refund, please get in touch!
Q: Can I pay you to migrate my information from my old resume to a template?
A: Of course! Send me an email at [email protected]. I charge $25 USD for this service.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Send me an email via the Contact page!