3 Resume and Cover Letter Myths Exposed
by Kevin Donlin - Guranteed Resumes - Click for Info
Let's face it: there's a lot of misinformation about resumes and cover
letters.
That's probably because most folks only have to write them every couple years.
So it's hard to separate the good advice from the bad
when it comes to writing these critical documents.
But after writing and editing nearly 5,000 resumes and cover letters since 1996,
I've seen the same myths trip up job seekers week
after week. And it's time to debunk those dangerous misconceptions.
So here, "from the trenches," is my best advice to help avoid 3 common myths
about resumes and cover letters.
Myth: Your resume should be limited to one page.
Fact: A two-page resume is fine, if you need that much room to give employers
enough information to want to call you.
I really have no idea how this one-page vs. two-page resume controversy ever got
started. It reminds me of the Hatfields vs. the McCoys ... and it's equally
pointless.
It boils down to this: if you can describe all your relevant experience and
education going back 10-15 years on one page, use one page. If you need a second
page to do that, fine.
Limiting all resumes to one page is like sending out a door-to-door sales rep
and telling him, "Whatever you do, don't talk for more than 60 seconds." That
would be ludicrous. A sales rep has to talk long enough to make the sale. In
this case, that sales rep (your resume) should be long enough to get employers
to call you. No more, no less.
Having said that, try not to exceed two pages unless you're writing a curriculum
vitae for an academic or medical-related position. A three- or four-page resume
really is too long, in my book.
Myth: You don't need to send a cover letter when emailing your resume.
Fact: Yes, you do.
Sending a resume without a cover letter -- by email, fax or any other means --
is like sending a birthday gift unwrapped, with the price tag on. It's a sloppy
first impression you don't want to make.
When emailing your resume, write a personalized cover letter and include it at
the beginning of your email message. Then, copy and paste your resume below.
Finally, attach one file with those two documents in the same order: cover
letter followed by resume.
This way, even if employers can't (or won't) open your attachment, they'll still
get your cover letter and resume in the body of the email. And you'll make the
right first impression.
Myth: Always put your education/degree first in your resume, followed by your
experience. Because that's the order in which they occurred.
Fact: Relevance determines what goes where in your resume. Because you can't
risk losing a reader's attention with stray information.
Know this -- the purpose of the first line in your resume is to get the second
line read. The purpose of the second line is to lead readers to the third line,
etc.
So, if you're applying for a sales job and your experience is in sales, but your
degree is in Art History, experience must come ahead of education in your
resume. It's all about relevance.
As a rule, the more relevant and valuable the information, the higher up in your
resume it should appear. Never assume employers will pore over every word with a
fine-tooth comb and find the gems you've buried on page two. Because there are
only two people in the world who will read every word of your resume: you and
your mother. Everyone else is skimming quickly, so you have to lead with your
best points.
Now, go out and make your own luck!
Kevin Donlin - Owns and operates Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, he has provided
resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients on five
continents.
Kevin has been interviewed by WCCO and WLTE radio, and KMSP
TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment
Weekly, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Twin Cities Employment Weekly and others.
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