I've used the "copying and tweaking" method all my life
, it's just how I work. To me nothing is worse than having to start a major piece of work without a reference point. Just seems like reinventing the wheel. I much prefer to have a base to work from that I can then tweak to add my own unique flavour. I've taken this approach all my life so it makes sense to take this approach when I'm trying to create the perfect project manager resume as well!
Here are the top reasons for copying and tweaking example resumes:
Get a job faster
The faster you can get your resume up to date the faster you can start applying for jobs. While this sounds obvious here's what really happens. We see a great job we'd love to apply for, only to find the submission deadline is approaching fast and our resume requires some serious effort to get it up to scratch. Either we rush and submit something we aren't 100% happy with or we give up and don't apply at all.
Break through procrastination
I find starting a resume from scratch or even doing a major update the hardest step. I love using examples from other people to help break through procrastination. I find once I have examples to copy from the hardest part is already done.
Resume Styles
If you haven't gone for a job in a while, it's important to realise that resume styles do change. This is one of the biggest reasons I love copying resumes when I go for a job. I figure someone who's just got a job must have a successful resume! It's obviously what got them an interview in the first place.
Formatting
Have you played with different formats trying to work out what the most successful one is? Take a short cut, you know what the most successful one is, it's the one that someone just used to get a job!
To some, it might seem like cheating, and others may prefer to start from scratch, but you know what? While they're still working it out with all the formatting and the fighting with their word processor, all you're doing is tweaking and successfully submitting your perfect project manager resume.