3 Major Resume Myths Put To The Test

The online world is choked to the brim with conflicting and frequently flat-out wrong information on building resumes

. A major reason for this is that many "experts" on the subject neglect to actually consult with recruiters and/or hiring managers to determine what exactly is working for them. The job search market is constantly changing; the layout and language used in times past can quickly become dated and irrelevant, particularly when you consider that the first pair of "eyes" scanning your resume will most probably belong to an Applicant Tracking System such as Taleo or Kenexa.

Here are 3 of the biggest offenders to steer clear of:

1) A RESUME OVER 1 PAGE WILL NOT BE READ

This axiom is widely accepted as fact by most job-seekers. Unfortunately, it only holds true for recent college graduates and those without an extensive work history. In today's market, a 2-page resume is quickly becoming the standard, with executives and other top-tier professionals even submitting strong 3-page documents. A good rule of thumb? Look over your resume and see if it sustains interest throughout its length. If it doesn't, editing it down is probably a good idea. If, however, it feels needlessly abbreviated, feel free to expand.

2) JUMP STRAIGHT INTO YOUR WORK HISTORY

Many resumes make the mistake of jumping straight into a candidate's work history without an introduction. While this approach may have worked in times past, today's recruiters/hiring agents spend approximately 10-20 seconds scanning a job seeker's resume. Not having an introduction means missing out on a crucial opportunity to TARGET the document, highlight key skills, and build interest.

Here's an approach that's been proven to get results:

-A 3-4 line opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING key attributes. For example, a sales professional could play up his/her ability to forge new client relationships, execute high-impact marketing initiatives, and deliver dedicated staff training.

-A "Core Competencies" section underneath this listing in-demand keywords. This is crucial, as Applicant Tracking Systems such as Taleo and Kenexa are designed to look for specific words on a candidate's resume. Keywords can be found through searching relevant job postings.

3) VISUAL TRICKS ARE A GOOD WAY TO STAND OUT

True, complex logos and formatting DO attract attention. However, they do so for all the wrong reasons, and will most likely result in your resume being rejected. A good resume lives and dies on the strength of its CONTENT. When in doubt, always err on the side of conservatism. Choose a widely accepted font like Times New Roman or Arial. Remove all graphics. And don't get more complicated than a simple border to frame the text.

by: Anish Majumdar, CPRW

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