Resume Myths Exposed

There are many resume myths that exist that you might be unsure how to handle.

The first step in putting a resume together is to forget what you've heard.

There are so many rumors flying around regarding what one is supposed to look like...

What should you put in your resume?

What shouldn't you put in one?

It gets very confusing very quickly.

Let's start by dispelling the myths right off the bat:

1. My resume has to follow a certain format.

There is no set format that it has to follow. There are certainly a number of templates or "standard" formats, but you just need to pick one that works for you and your specific situation.

2. My resume has to be ideally one page long but a maximum of two pages.

It does not have to be a maximum of one or two pages. Granted, most people will get by with one that is a maximum of two-pages but if you are well into your career and have a lot of experience to discuss, you might find that a two-pager just isn't long enough.

If you've only held a handful of jobs so far in your career, you can most likely get by with a two-pager.

3. Hiring managers read resumes in 20 seconds or less.

A hiring manager won't necessarily glance over your resume in 20 seconds or less unless they are a speed-reader. The only reason why they might only spend 20 seconds reading it is if it's not worth reading thoroughly!

If you show them what they are looking for, they'll keep reading.

Many managers will do an initial scan and will look for reasons why they should read it in more detail later on.

4. I should print my resume on expensive colored paper.

No, don't bother. Print it on high quality plain white paper that can be easily scanned in case the employer wants to scan it into their database.

Plain white paper makes it easier to scan. Colored paper can cause trouble when using a scanner.

Don't let resume myths hurt your chances at putting a great resume together.

Use common sense and put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes: If you were the manager of the job you're applying for, what skills and experience would you want to see in your resume?