5 Resume Myths that are Holding You Back

by | Jan 23, 2015 | Blog

Bad-Resume

When it comes to looking for a job, your resume is a key component. This is often the first opportunity you have to introduce yourself and what you have to offer to an employer. Building a strong resume is essential to attract the right attention and increase your efforts of landing an interview. But falling victim to some of these common resume myths could be hampering your efforts.

  1. It must be one page. This is one of the most commonly debated topics when it comes to resumes. For a new college graduate or someone switching careers, one page may suffice to convey all of the essentials. However, when you are a senior executive or someone with several years of experience, paring it down to fit onto one page can be difficult. And honestly, you will probably be leaving out a lot of details that support your qualifications. It’s okay to have two or in some cases three pages depending on your level of experience, accomplishments, education, and involvement. Don’t go overboard, but certainly don’t leave off necessary information because you are desperately trying to make your resume one page.
  2. You must list every job you have held since college. Your resume should focus on the last 10 to 15 years of employment. If you have held short-term jobs with no significant accomplishments, or jobs that are not related to what you want to do, you may be okay leaving them off. You do not want to leave a large gap in employment, but by only listing years instead of months and years, you can reduce impact.
  3. Unpaid experience doesn’t matter. Just because you were not getting paid does not make it less valuable. If you are an active volunteer who is putting your skills to use, this can offer beneficial support. Also, many employers like to see that applicants are involved in the community and give back.
  4. Little white lies won’t hurt. Lying on your resume is never a good idea. With a little Internet searching along with background and reference checks, employers can quickly discern the truth. If you didn’t actually finish your degree, don’t say you did. Inflating your job title to make yourself sound more impressive is also dangerous. The same goes for your skill sets. Even if you pass an interview and get the job, what happens when you’re expected to do something your resume said you could and really you can’t? Lying is a huge turnoff for employers and can make you look untrustworthy.
  5. Once you have a job, your resume is not as important. Just because you have a job now does not mean you won’t be laid off in the future or stumble upon an amazing opportunity. If this should happen, you want to have your resume ready to go. Periodically updating to highlight projects, accomplishments, and promotions can save you time when it counts. It’s better to only have to do minor adjusting rather than a complete overhaul.

If your resume is less than exceptional because you’ve been believing these myths, the team at Chic Resumes is here to help. We will work with you to create a polished and professional resume that adheres to current standards and makes a strong impact. Contact Chic Resumes at (803)-831-7444 or email resumewriting@grammarchic.net to revamp your resume today.