5 Common Resume Misconceptions

Avoid these resume traps to make yourself an appealing candidate

July 21, 2011 RSS Feed Print

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[See The Importance of a Confident Follow Up.]

5. It has to look interesting to catch a hiring manager's eye. Yes, you want your resume to be interesting, but more in content than appearance. Aside from the content you choose to include, the next most important aspect of your resume is that it's easy to read. De-cluttering, or getting rid of experience that's not relevant or necessary, is one way to do this. Another is to use bold type, bullets, and plenty of white space.

For the average position, your resume is in competition with 110 others, Beshara says. "If it doesn't hit them in the mouth real fast by having what you've done and who you've done it for [front and center], it gets passed over," he says. "They move onto the next one."

agrant@usnews.com

Tags:: employment,; careers,; hiring

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An earlier comment raises a good point: if the company's name is withheld from the job posting, how can you research anything about that company?? I also would like to know; which is correct, to suggest a followup in the cover letter, or not to suggest a followup? I don't want the company to think I'm not really that interested.....but several comments here (from the people hiring) seem to say, "please don't bother us", we'll call you. I appreciate that they're busy, but....any dufus can just NOT followup, it takes someone whose at least somewhat interested to even take the time. Let's have some more definitive answers on that question please.

Coene S of NM 5:06PM December 13, 2011

I JUST READ an different article that stated following up is not helpful. I can tell you this is true. I wish the EXPERTS would get together on what is beneficial in the job search.

S. of NC 6:27PM November 21, 2011

Great advice! As a recruiter, this is basically what I always tell my candidates. In fact, they should research how to write a winning resume using information such as this BEFORE they create their resume.

Marilyn Emanuel of TX 1:39PM October 11, 2011