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MYTH 6: It's unnecessary to put an objective on the resume.
REALITY:
What ties your resume together in communicating to employers what it is you both want and can do? An objective--stated at the very top of your resume--becomes the central focus from which all other elements in your resume should flow. The objective gives the resume organization and coherence. It tells employers exactly who you are in terms of your goals and skills. If properly stated, your objective will become the most powerful and effective statement on your resume.
MYTH 7: Without an objective, you force the employer to "interpret" your resume.
REALITY:
He or she must analyze and synthesize the discreet elements in each of your categories and draw conclusions about your capabilities and goals which may or may not be valid. Therefore, it is to your advantage to set the agenda---control the flow and interpretation of your qualifications and capabilities by stating the objective. Most people who object to including an objective on a resume (1) do not understand the importance of integrating all elements in the resume around key goals and skills, (2) do not know how to develop a good employer-cen-tered objective, or (3) are misinformed because they believe they must change the objective for each employer --an obvious confession they do not know what they really want to do. Developing a resume objective is not a difficult task. If nothing else, stating an objective on your resume is a thoughtful thing to do for the employer. And always remember, employers "like" thoughtful people!
Most employers appreciate long resumes because they present more complete information for screening candidates than short resumes.
Employers prefer receiving one- or two-page resumes. Longer resumes lose the interest and attention of readers. They usually lack a focus, are filled with extraneous information, need editing, and are oriented toward the applicant's past rather than the employer's future. If you know how to write high impact resumes, you can put all of your capabilities into a one- to two-page format. These resumes only include enough information to persuade employers to call you for an interview. But this one to two-page rule does not apply to all employment situations. Individuals applying for academic and international jobs, for example, may be expected to write a five- to ten-pagecurricu-lum vita (CV) rather than a one to two-page resume. In these special situations the CV is actually a traditional chronological resume prominently displaying dates, job titles, responsibilities, and publications.
MYTH 8: It's okay to put salary expectations on a resume.
REALITY:
One of the worst things you can do is to mention salary on your resume. Remember, the purpose of your resume is to get an interview. Only during the interview--and preferably toward the end--should you discuss salary. And before you discuss salary, you want to demonstrate your value to employers as well as learn about the worth of the position. Only after you make your impression and gather information on the job, can you realistically talk about--and negoti-this if you prematurely mention
MYTH 9:
Contact information (name, address, and phone number) should appear in the left-hand corner of your resume.
REALITY:
You can choose from a variety of resume formats which place the contact information in several different positions at the top of the resume. Choose the one that best complements the remaining layout and style of the resume.
MYTH 10:
You should not include your hobbies or any personal statements on a resume.
REALITY:
In general this is true. However, there are exceptions which would challenge this rule as a myth. If you have a hobby or a personal statement that can strengthen your objective in relation to the employer's needs, do include it on your resume. For example, if a job calls for someone who is outgoing and energetic, you would not want to include a hobby or personal statement that indicates that you are a very private and sedentary person, such "enjoy reading and writing" or "collect stamps." But "enjoy organizing community fund drives" and "compete in the Boston Marathon" might be very appropriate statements for your resume. Such statements further emphasize the "unique you" in relation to your capabilities, the requirements for the position, and the employer's needs.
'MYTH 11:
You should list your references on the resume so the employer can check them before conducting the interview.
REALITY:
Never include references on your resume. The closest you should ever get to doing so is to include this statement at the very end: "References available upon request." You want to control your references for the interview. You should take a list of references appropriate for the position you will interview for with you to the interview. The interviewer may ask you for this list at the end of the interview. If you put references on your resume, the employer might call someone who has no idea you are applying for a particular job. The conversation could be embarrassing. As a simple courtesy, you should ask the person's permission to use them as a reference. This will alert them that someone may call and gives you the opportunity to brief them about the position and how your skills fit the employer's needs. Focus on your goals and strengths in relation to the position. Surprisingly, many employers don't follow-through by contacting references. |