Debunking the Most Common Resume Myth

 

“You need to cut your resume down.”

“The recruiter won’t even read that far.”

“One-page resumes are the best way to go.”

 

Have you ever received advice like this?

 

I say that this is nonsense! A resume shouldn’t be “one size fits all.” Factors like your years of experience and the complexity behind your advancement should determine this.

 

At Staffing Solutions, Inc., we’re always helping applicants revise their resumes, and we’ve come up with a few general guidelines when it comes to resume length.

 

Here are some examples:

 

• If you’re a recent college graduate: Your resume will more than likely be one page, since you have less professional experience. You should highlight your education, skills, awards, and accomplishments made during your high school and college career. Focus on detailing any internships you might have had in college. Lastly, no “objective statements”!

 

• If you’ve been working 1-3 years: You will still most likely fall into the one-page bucket. You should be able to fit at least 3 past positions and your day-to-day responsibilities for each. At this age, it’s probably time to remove anything from college that isn’t in line with the job you’re applying for.

 

• You’ve been in the workforce for 4+ years: At this point, you’ve gained enough experience, so it’s unnecessary to try to fit it all on one page. It’s more important to include all information that’s going to prove you’re the well-rounded, qualified candidate you claim to be. Recruiters will want to see how you’ve worked your way up, what skills you’ve developed, and if you’ve explored other industries or career paths.

 

That in mind, you still need to be smart with your space. Check your margins, and make sure your font size is appropriate (nothing smaller than 11 pt). Ask yourself if the content is customized to the job you’re applying for. It’s common (and totally okay!) to have various versions of your resume for different job opportunities. Most importantly, don’t stress about the length! It is important, but the grade of the content is what gets you in the door.

 

If you find yourself struggling with your resume, we are here to help! At Staffing Solutions Inc., we have developed a program called “Resume Builder” that helps you create and edit your resume until it’s achieved perfection. If you’re on the job search and think you could benefit from a resume re-do, let us know. A perfect resume leads to a perfect job opportunity!

 

Questions? Call us!