Many standard resume ‘rules’ no longer apply in today’s job market
Dear Sam: I hear conflicting advice when it comes to resume “rules.” I’ve been told by friends with leadership positions that my resume should only be one page (even though I have more than five years of work experience), that I should follow templates and that it’s unprofessional to include any colors or pictures. I’m concerned that their advice might be outdated since the job market has changed since they last conducted job searches. Are any of these “rules” still true? — Janelle
Dear Janelle: The good news (or bad news, depending on how you look at it) is that there are no rules in resume writing. There are some guidelines and best practices, but there is a lot of room for creativity and flexibility. Be sure to research current industry trends before submitting your job-search materials. The most important thing to remember is that resume-writing strategies must be tailored to each candidate’s background, current objective and key strengths — there is no “one size fits all” solution.
Resume length
As with most aspects of resume writing, the answer to the question of what length is appropriate is “it depends.” In general, resumes, at least those for midcareer professionals, should be two pages in length. Entry-level candidates and candidates with very few employers or a limited work history can sometimes get by with a strategically designed one-page resume, and executives or professionals in certain industries, such as academia, can exceed three pages. Instead of worrying about meeting a page limit, the best strategy when creating a resume is to choose the length that best suits your background and interests. If your resume is two or more pages, be sure to prioritize your information and place the most important content on the first page. Hiring managers typically only spend about four to seven seconds screening a resume, so it is critical to capture their interest immediately. Pull out all of your achievements, and place them directly beneath your qualifications summary, even if your professional-experience section falls to the second page.
Resume templates
Many job seekers make the mistake of trying to follow step-by-step templates that they find online or through Microsoft Word, but these “universal” approaches can be detrimental to a successful job search. These templates are extremely generic and overused, and they are often outdated and limiting. If the template includes space for an objective statement and a reference section, you should immediately know that it is not up to date with industry best practices. The goal when crafting an effective resume is to differentiate yourself from the hundreds of other candidates who are vying for the same jobs, so do not fall into the trap of using fill-in-the-blank templates out of convenience, time or assumed ease. Also, be cautious about simply inserting your information into a resume format that a friend or family member has used in the past. I see this a lot with entry-level clients who try to adapt a resume sent to them by their parents/older siblings/family friends. What has worked for someone years ago may not be the best format for today’s job market, especially if the resume was used for a different industry.
Colors or graphics on a resume
The level of creativity expected/accepted in a resume varies by industry. An accountant, for instance, would not use a creative format. But when creativity makes sense in your profession (such as in marketing or a design field), use it to make you stand out from the crowd and better engage the reader. When it is appropriate for your field of interest, being creative in your approach will increase the effectiveness of your search, helping you stand out from your competitors. While content is very important in the development of an effective resume, the formatting and aesthetics play a key role in compelling — or repelling — readership. Feel free to browse samples on my website (www.nolanbranding.com/portfolio) to gather some ideas about how to incorporate logos, colors, symbols, lines and creative formats. While the lack of defined rules in resume writing can be confusing at times, the ability to be creative, strategic and subjective when writing your resume is actually a benefit. Your resume is a marketing/branding document and should be designed to “sell” you. Let your creativity and personality shine through your document, and don’t worry about adhering to outdated rules.
— Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Nolan Branding, a full-service resume-writing firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@nolan branding.com. To find out more about Nolan and her services, visit www.nolanbranding. com, or call 614-570-3442 or 888-952-3928.