Thankfully, many people are willing to offer up all kinds of advice as we apply for a job. They’ve often been there and done it; they must know what they’re doing, right? Sadly, it seems as though there could be some traditional résumé writing tips that might not be as foolproof as we once believed.
Skipping cover letters
Although the job application might not ask for a cover letter, this can be the perfect place to let a little more of your personality shine through – as well as show any potential employer that you have gone to the effort of creating a letter just for them. Some believe that we should let our résumé do the talking. However, cover letters give us a chance to tell people why we would be a brilliant fit for the company, and why the position interested us in the first place. There are some stories we just can’t tell in a résumé.
Using graphics
Many of us have heard to make a résumé that stands out from the crowd. Could graphics really be the way to do it? Probably not. Some people like to send videos of their résumé instead, but many employers confess their systems just aren’t up to handling the files. It appears as though the graphics might just be a distraction from the rest of the information on the page. Keeping the sheet clear and to the point is sure to help any potential employer pick out the information they need.
Starting with a summary
Have you been told to summarize your entire résumé at the top of the page? It looks as though we shouldn’t bother after all. Many people hiring for jobs often have hundreds of applications to read through, and while including a brief explanation at the top of your résumé might seem like a good idea, the chances are you’ll just be using up valuable space instead. In fact, many employers confess they skip straight to the qualifications and experience sections instead – ignoring everything else in the way.
Using one page
Believe it or not, but research has shown that employers are more likely to go for two-paged résumés over one-paged applications no matter the level of the job. That’s right; it seems as though the extra added detail can make all the difference to employers when it comes to deciding who gets the job. Even entry-level positions could benefit from a slightly longer résumé, but it’s important not to go overboard with the length. Two pages are often enough information for people to make an informed decision.
Writing a résumé can often seem like a tough task – especially when we have people offering up information from all angles! Who do we trust? Although there appear to be some tried and tested methods, it looks as though some of those traditional résumé writing tips could be what’s holding you back after all. It might be time to take your application into the 21st century if you want to land the job of your dreams.
