How to write a resume that helps your job search
Debunking 3 myths so you can write a better resume
If your resume isn’t getting you the results you want, this article is for you. The goal is clear: you want to get hired. But writing a resume can be difficult. Most of us aren't taught this in school, and it's totally normal to be confused about the process.
We’re going to go over 3 resume myths, how they’re hurting your job search, and what you can do to improve your resume. I've been on the applicant side and the hiring side of the job search process. These are topics I've dealt with personally, professionally, and with CIC clients.
Myth 1: Your resume is supposed to get you hired
Think about the process for getting hired. You submit your resume (and cover letter), you interview, and you (ideally) get hired. When you consider this chain of events, it becomes clear that you don’t jump from submitting your resume to getting hired. The purpose of your resume is to get you the interview.
How you make that happen leads us to the next myth.
Myth 2: Your resume should include your entire work history
This version of your resume is what I consider to be a general resume. A general resume includes your entire work history. It is not customized for the position for which you’re applying.
Job seekers use this type of resume for a few reasons. Why people do this, and how this actually hurts your job search
1. You have little to no work experience
Let’s say you’re a recent graduate and you’re feeling insecure about your resume. In this case, you want to consider showcasing scholastic accomplishments. Projects, volunteering, and club participation are all great ways to show competence and build confidence. If you’ve had at least one job, use your professional and educational experience.
2. You believe that job experience equals competence
I understand the logic here. A long work history shows that you’re hirable, consistent, and hard working. You’re confident about the fact that you’d be an asset to any team. Why wouldn’t a company want to hire someone like that?
3. It’s easier to apply
Job searching can be tiring, overwhelming, stressful, and a bunch of other feelings that make you want to curl up on the couch and binge watch The Office for the 5th time.
Using one resume for every job application makes it super easy to apply for as many jobs as possible, right? Sure, but at what cost? It's impossible for the resume to be optimized for a marketing position, an administrative position, and an engineering position.
Don't get me wrong, it's essential to have a general resume. You need a record of your entire work history. You never know where your career will take you and you deserve to have a reminder of your badassery.
However, it’s a catch-all document. It doesn’t clearly communicate what qualifies you for a specific job.
Your resume connects the dots between your unique qualifications and the job that you’re applying for.
That’s where your tailored resume comes in. A tailored resume is curated to include experience that’s relevant to the specific job for which you’re applying.
Let’s say you see a commercial for home furniture that advertises couches and chairs and tables. You would be confused if the commercial also advertised boats, right? The same applies to your resume. If a company posts a job posting looking for an engineer, a resume all about food service doesn’t match up.
That's the great thing about the tailored resume - it requires you to get clear about what you want from your next job.
What skills do you want to develop?
What transferable skills do you already possess?
Who do you want to help?
What impact do you want to have?
Use these questions to customize your resume and narrow your job search. Apply for jobs that align with your answers to these questions.
Myth 3: You need a fancy resume template
There are so many fun resume templates out there. Templates with tables, columns, and cool design elements. and I understand why you might use them. You want your resume to stand out or you want to show off your personality.
The truth is, those templates can be a roadblock to your goal of getting an interview in a couple of ways.
First, it can be a distraction.
Are you spending so much time picking a resume design that it's distracting from actually hitting that 'Apply' button? The design of your resume is not more important than the content. Your resume can look great, but if your experience and accomplishments don't match the job posting, you won't get the interview.
Second, fun formatting might cause funky results.
You know when applications require you to upload your resume AND type in all of your information? You know when you select the option to import your resume and the info imports wrong? Your name is in the experience section, your skills are in the education section, and you have to fix it. Using a simple resume template is more than okay, and it can help reduce some of the friction of applying for jobs.
If you really want to incorporate your personal touch, here are a couple of options:
✅ Create an online portfolio
Sites like Squarespace and WordPress have simple, free plans that allow you to let your creativity shine AND showcase your accomplishments
✅ Customize your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn exists to help you showcase your experience, and as a member you get access to Easy Apply jobs that make applying a no brainer.
