Happy Fourth of July! It is always good to celebrate freedom, including our freedom from wrong ideas about resumes. It is time to overthrow them! Think how much happier you will be when you no longer believe that:
- Resumes are magic. Unfortunately, even the best resume does not come with a magic wand to gain you the perfect position. It should be able to get you interviews, but it cannot ace the interview for you (unless it is a federal position where interviewing is optional). And there are many, many reasons why companies reject candidates that have nothing to do with the quality of the candidate or the resume.
- One resume fits all. Instead, you should be customizing your resume for the jobs you are most interested in by making sure your resume contains the skills, education, accomplishments, and previous experience that employers are looking for in your field and industry—and in the job announcement.
- Small mistakes do not matter. The truth is that hiring managers and recruiters are overwhelmed with candidates; small mistakes may give them just the opportunity they need to reject your application. Proofread your resume carefully.
- Bragging is a bad thing. On the contrary, you should be collecting a brag book starting now for your current job, for every job you have held in the past, and for every job you will hold in the future. That book will remind you of your accomplishments. You never want to exaggerate or lie, but you do need to show hiring managers and recruiters how you used your skills and how you contributed to your company’s success.
- Resumes should hide layoffs and other gaps in employment. In this age of turnover and change, being laid off is no longer a barrier to employment—everyone is laid off at some point. You should explain gaps in employment, not hide them. They will come out anyway.
- No one can improve a bad resume. You would be surprised at what a professional resume writer can do. We interview you to find those gems of experience and skill you may have overlooked. We know the right phrases and words to add zest to your resume. Give a professional resume writer a try!