Top Three Resume Myths Busted

Ah, the resume. The introductory elevator pitch that gets feet in doors and offers extended. With so many resume tips and tricks out there, it can be tough to know what to trust. And that’s exactly why 18 Coffees connected with executive career coach Ashley Cash to bust three of the most common myths when it comes to crafting a resume.

Myth #1: Limit your resume to one page

False. The long-standing advice to keep your resume to one page can go right out the window — if you have 10+ years of experience, hiring managers by no means expect you to condense your work to one page. That said, do still keep things concise. Your resume serves as a brief introduction to who you are. Lean on your portfolio, writing samples, and interviews to dig deeper and show off what you can do.

Myth #2: A “pretty” resume will get you in the door.

False. In fact, sometimes fancy, etsy-designed resumes can work against you — especially when it comes to applicant tracking systems, aka ATS. ATS software scans resumes for basic information and keywords to flag qualified applicants for hiring managers’ review. If your resume is stacked with bells and whistles, the ATS might not pick up the right information in the right order, resulting in an error-ridden job application that’s far from ideal. Nevertheless, there is a workaround: Have two resumes on hand. If you’re sending an application directly to a specific contact in HR, feel free to deliver a well-designed PDF version. But if not, stick to the basics with a plain text resume template that will get you through the ATS (and into an interview).

Myth #3: Every job application should contain a uniquely tailored resume.

You guessed it: False (with the exception discussed in Myth #2). While you should have a customized resume relevant to the type of job you’re applying for, there’s no need to update your resume for every single position. For example, if you’re applying for a writing role at one company but a graphic design position at another, those two openings can — and arguably do — require separate resumes showcasing separate skill sets. But if you’re interested in a writing role at Company A and another at Company B, you can use the same well-crafted resume that should already be designed to make you stand out.

Next time you’re updating your resume, keep these busted myths in mind. It’ll save you time, effort, and energy to prepare for your interview(s) instead — and with this insider information courtesy of Ashley Cash, you’re bound to get a call.