Resume Misconceptions & What to Do Instead
Writing your resume doesn’t have to be complicated or exhausting. If you avoid the pitfalls and follow these steps, you can create a professional resume that will get you noticed by employers, without spending hours every time you need to update it.
Misconceptions
“I only need one resume for applying to multiple jobs.”
In reality, you will probably end up with 15 versions of basically the same information, but how you present yourself on your resume is the first (and sometimes last) impression you will give a potential employer. Thoughtfully constructed resumes will always put your best foot forward. Looking at the specific wording of the job posting and the company mission statement will give you the key words to build into your resume.
“The format should be eye-catching to stand out from the rest.”
Because of the technology used in job searches these days, there is a high likelihood that the first person to read your resume will not be a person at all: AIs have become the standard filter for employers to weed out weak resumes. Any time you apply through an online job board like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or LinkedIn, an AI is the one sorting your resume into one of two categories: (1) a human will read it, or (2) an automated message will be sent that you will not be advancing to the next step in the hiring process. The only exception might be graphic designers, artists, etc. whose visual creativity would be integral to the job, or if the application specifically requested “style” or “personality”.
“Bragging on a resume sounds pretentious and is basically lying.”
It’s not lying to use fancy words! Using vague words like “worked” and “helped” are not only hard to interpret, they are likely understating your contributions. Stay positive with how you think about your responsibilities, and use words that are descriptive and action-rooted. What is pretentious on resumes? Overly-long words that sound like they could have only come from a thesaurus. Your resume should not be the place to showcase your SAT vocab memory since the main priority is to be understood.
Example Action Words
“Abbreviations are lazy.”
Using abbreviations that are common in English like “etc.” instead of “et cetera” will help your formatting look cleaner, while using industry terms like “GDP” instead of “gross domestic product” can highlight expertise. Be careful, though! Make sure that you are consistent and are only using the most obvious abbreviations, particularly with industry terms since it is possible that the person who programmed the AI or the person who reads the resume may not be familiar with specific acronyms.
“Details will only make it boring and hard to read.”
Assuming a potential employer will know what you did at a job based on the title is a dangerous game. Be specific, and be literal. Whenever possible, give quantities for your work (ex. “approx. 500 customers per day” or “production of 80 units per shift”). Numbers can be impressive, even if it didn’t feel that way when you were working.
“Resumes should only be one page, maximum.”
The age-old standard of a one page resume is no longer the universal rule. You shouldn’t have to cut out relevant information, but be mindful of what “relevant” means in your circumstances. If you absolutely cannot fit your experience, education, skills, and certifications on one page, use another, and then read it over and ask yourself: does my employer need all of this information to evaluate my suitability? Unless you have an abnormal amount of education and industry experience, you shouldn’t need more than two pages at the absolute max. Good news, though: you no longer have to use 10-point font!
“Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) should be listed as a skill.”
In years past, being able to a computer at all was a special skill. Today, things like using Word and Google Docs is considered standard. The only times that Microsoft Office or Google Suite programs should be listed on a resume are limited to (1) when a job description specifically lists the skill as “required” or “desirable,” or (2) if you have beyond-average skill with one of the more complicated programs (ex. using Excel to program complex equations with large amounts of data).
Simple Steps to Build the Perfect Resume
Keep Detailed Records
A document with information about past employment will help immensely in the application process. It should include your title, the business, your supervisor’s contact info, the address and phone number of the business, exact start and end dates, pay rates and dates of raises, and number of people you supervised (if applicable). Under that, make a master list of everything you remember doing in your role. This list will not only serve as a good way to keep reference and employment history handy, but also give you a great jumping point for writing the responsibilities for each role on your resume. Make sure to update this over time with any changes in pay, titles, awards, or responsibilities!
Create a Personalized Template
Google Docs “Modern Writer,” “Swiss,” or “Serif” templates are a great starting point for the formatting, or you can build your own. Once you have a layout, put in your basic info like name, email, LinkedIn, location, and phone number. You should also create the timeline of your employment history, and the descriptive bullet points can be tailored to each application. List any and all awards, education, and certifications you have, which can then be edited for relevance later. Lastly, make sure you create a boilerplate personal statement so you can plug in specific words later! You do not need your address, your photo, or your age.
Because of industry differences, there is no golden example of The Universal Resume. Software engineers should list more technical skills, code languages, and past projects, while an international salesperson might list language skills, travel experience, and previous profit data. You may want to prepare various sections and then cut out some depending on the job description.
Customize for Each Application
This is the part that people might find tedious, I know, but it really is the most important part. To get your resume through the AI filter, you should be using exact language from the job description. Synonyms that would cause no loss of understanding in verbal conversation can be detrimental to an online resume. If the job description lists “booking clients” and your resume says “scheduling customers,” the AI may not consider that to meet the qualification. It may seem silly, but it will significantly increase your chance of having a person ever read your resume if you use precise wording. Also consider which order your sections should be formatted, and which responsibilities you’ve had are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Remember, your resume is the written equivalent of an elevator pitch, so make your words count.
Proof Read
Read it through, leave it alone for a bit and then to read it again with fresh eyes. Send to a trusted coworker, friend, or family member for an outsider opinion and extra spell check, with specific questions for them like “Is there anything redundant or superficial?” and “Does the formatting make sense?” so that you can get meaningful feedback.
Remember! Your resume should be formatted to best showcase your skills!
