Resume Writing Myths

Resume Writing Myths 7 resume-writing myths that can cost you the jobGet the facts to help you prepare your resume for job searching. There are so many unwritten rules when it comes to resume writing. The problem is, if you havent been paying attention (and who could blame you?), you might bedrngnis realize that the resume format has changed. Unsurprising, some of those old rules no longer applyand frankly they didnt make a whole lot of sense to begin withAs you prepare your resume for job searching, check out some of the fruchtwein common myths that might strip some shine from your candidacy.Myth One resume will work for all jobsIf you think that once your resume is ready you can start sending it all over town, think again. That could work for job seekers with one clear career goal, but most professionals have several directions they could go, says resume expert Kim Isaacs. Instead of using ageneric one-size-fits-allresume template, have a few versions that are tailore d to different types of roles. For maximum results, tweak your resume to reflect the requirements listed in each specific job ad. Employers will appreciate that you cared enough about the job to customize your resume and show how youre a perfect fit, says Isaacs.Myth Resumes must be exactly one pageYears ago, word got out that a resume should be no longer than one pageand it stuck, says Isaacs. The resume should be as long as it needs to be to relay the value you bring to the table, she says.In fact, if youve had several years of experience, it might seem weird if your resume is on the shorter side, says Rachel Gauthier, vice president, practice leader, health care software and services with the Tolan Group, an executive search firm. Resumes are not getting tossed in the garbage because they have three pages, she affirms.What is most important is to make sure that your recent and most compelling information appears on the first page, and that the resume as a whole offers the best sn apshotof your accomplishments and qualifications.Myth Employment gaps will hurt you, so try to hide themSome job seekers think that by keeping employment dates vague they can get away with not having to explain a period of unemployment. But its more important to be honest, says Isaacs. Lets face itvery few people have a perfect job history with no gaps, she says. And going to great lengths to hide gaps to the point that it verges on dishonesty can backfire.Along the same lines, its also not OK to fudge dates to hide what might appear to be a pattern of job hopping, says Gauthier. Instead, you can add in the reasons you had transitions. It could be that a company was acquired or absorbed, so you didnt actually change jobs, but you switched roles, she says. Or, if you left a job to care for a loved one or to relocate, a very short explanation will suffice.Myth Only paid experience countsThe reality is that any experience(paid or unpaid)can be valuable and added to the experience secti on of your resume, says Isaacs. This is an especially important if you dont have a long job history, or if youve been out of the workforce for some time.And in many cases, if your volunteer experience is related to a new role that youre seeking, it might be the very thing that helps you land the job, says Gauthier. Sometimes if Im working with a company in a gemeinntzig space and a candidate is active in the community, it can be really important to the company, she says. It shows theres a passion for the work they do.Myth The more keywords, the betterTheres a lot of misinformation about how applicant tracking system (ATS) technology works there are multiple platforms on the market, each using a different algorithm, says Isaacs. Stuffingresumes with keywords you think are important sometimes renders the resume almost unreadable for a human reader, she adds. A better approach is to naturally weave keywords that pertain to the job throughout the resume. The reality is that a humannot a machinewill make the final decision to interview you or not.Also worth noting is that ATS technology can recognize a variety of formats, but you should avoid fancy graphics, and know that content found in headers and footers might be passed over. Myth Social media links have no place on a resumeWhile you dont necessarily want your prospective employers looking at your Snapchat page, they are likely going to research your social media pages anyway. Including direct social media links that reinforce your brand messagethink professional, not personal sitescan save them time, says Isaacs. Of course, if youre in a field in which social media stats are important, go ahead and include your number of followers, engagement levels, click-through rates, and other metrics, she adds.Myth A resume should only be black and whiteFor this one, it really depends, says Isaacs. On the one hand, a splash of color could help your resume get noticed in a sea of plain resumes. If youd like, go with someth ing tasteful, like a simple border, or your name in color. However, be mindful that certain career fields are more open to creativity (i.e. marketing, design) than others that are more traditional (i.e. finance, legal).Think your resumes ready? Do this nextHeres a fact A strong, professional resume never fails to impress an employer. Wondering just how good your own resume looks? Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression.The experts at Monster can clear up any confusion you may have about resume writing and help you position yourself for an awesome new job.