Myth Busters: Laura Smith-Proulx Busts 7 Resume Myths

There are many resume myths circulating out there, such as your resume must be one page long, and the applicant tracking system automatically rejects your resume. Here's another one: listing accomplishments on your resume isn't necessary. These are just three resume myths.

I sat with Laura Smith-Proulx (virtually) to have her bust seven resume myths. Laura is one of the most talented executive resume writers I know. And I know a lot of resume writers.

When I started in my career-coaching path, Laura was one career-search pundit I turned to for advice on resumes. I have since followed her and have commented on the posts she writes. Without further ado, let's get to the resume myths.

Myth #1: The resume is a static document, and you can explain your qualifications in a cover letter.

Laura, one of the most prevalent myths out there is that a resume doesn't have to be tailored to particular jobs. Some of my clients tell me that they tailor their cover letters but not their resumes. What's your take on this.

Laura: Your resume should make it easier for employers to see why you’re qualified, instead of making them wonder why you applied. First, tailor your resume for each job type. For example, if you have IT and sales skills, build a version showing revenue wins for non-technical sales jobs and an IT resume that shows technology expertise. Then, match your skills to each job posting, modifying your resume with this “matching” data to focus specifically on the posting. Give each resume a descriptive name, such as “Jane Jones IT Security Leadership Resume for XYZ Company,” to recall which version you’ve used.

Put the relevant achievements and keywords in the top third of your resume to help employers spot the “best” information. Don’t rely on your cover letter to do the heavy lifting! Some hiring managers won’t read it – or they may become confused if it differs from your resume.

Myth #2: Resumes must be one page long.

Laura, I constantly hear from my clients that they've been told their resumes have to be one-pagers. There are still career-development pundits who say the same. On the other hand, there are resumes that are too long. Is there a page limit on resumes, and what should job seekers do if their resume is too long?

Laura: Some resumes are too long. I know this from seeing many “before” resumes and condensing them into concise, easily digested narratives. No one wants to read a novel, so if your resume exceeds two pages, you have work to do. The one-page myth, however, needs to die, especially if your career exceeds 10 years.

Here’s how to shorten your resume and make it easier for employers to see your strengths: assess and narrow your successes from the past 10-15 years into short descriptions with figures, because this helps differentiate your experience. “Managed 100-member Operations team in top 3 production lines, generating 20% more year-over-year revenue” describes what you did, the size of your authority, and the revenue results. It also includes “operations, production, revenue, and team” as keywords. Next, summarize earlier, relevant roles into 1-2 lines each. Sit back and watch your resume shrink in size and grow in relevance.

Myth #3: The ATS rejected me.

This is a big one, Laura. Write your resume to beat the ATS. Recruiters are tired of reading about resume writers who write ATS-friendly resumes. Is it true that the ATS automatically rejects resumes?

Laura: Friends, Applicant Tracking systems (ATS) ARE apps that identify, categorize, and store the contents of your resume including dates of employment and job titles. Say you’ve worked 10 years in manufacturing production. When an employer or recruiter sets criteria for desired candidates, your resume either matches or it doesn’t. Maybe they want candidates with 15 years of experience, or different skills. This is why resume keywords are important; ATS (or a human) can’t “make up” expertise you didn’t include.

ATS doesn’t delete resumes by itself, but your resume might not rank strongly against human-generated criteria (therefore, hiring managers may not realize it’s there). Most ATS apps can parse resume content, outside of images or text boxes. Occasionally, it scrambles facts depending on expectations, such as company name first, then job title. You can always follow up with employers, and most likely your resume will still be in their system.

Myth #4: ChatGPT can write my resume.

With the rise of AI-based products, job seekers are relying on ChatGPT to write their resumes. I spoke with one of my clients who told me that he had Chat write his resume. Upon inspecting his resume, I thought it was bland. What are your thoughts on this trend?

Laura: Well... it can help with the task. The same way copying your friend’s resume won’t quite fit, ChatGPT requires some finesse with prompts – and a good knowledge of your own achievements (note this is crucial to the effectiveness of any resume). You can prompt ChatGPT with a job description, ask it for accomplishments, and tweak the results so they apply to you. However, you will need to decide if it looks too bland or matches your competitors’ resumes too closely.

Most career pundits will remind you that ChatGPT is a tool. It can’t decide the best way to summarize multiple short-term jobs that represent a left turn in your career, whether your skills are spilling over into another job type, or what should be on the front vs. second page. So prompt away, but use it with caution and don’t expect a fully cohesive story without work on your part.

Myth #5: My LinkedIn Profile can be a copy of my resume.

This one kills me, Laura. I've read thousands of LinkedIn profiles, as have you, and can see a resume-like profile a mile away. It lacks the personality that's so important to a LinkedIn profile. As such, job seekers misunderstand the purpose of the LinkedIn profile.

Laura: Think carefully here. Are you targeting just one job in a single industry? This doesn’t work for most of us. Instead, design the prominent areas of LinkedIn (Headline, About, Experience, Skills) to show where you’re headed and how your expertise makes you competitive.

A resume works best when designed for a focused career goal, with the right presentation, tone, and keywords. LinkedIn works best when incorporating first-person writing and short, quick-read Headlines and Skills. Write your About section as if you’re speaking directly with employers, using your elevator pitch, keywords, and powerful branding statements. Build your Headline with keywords, job titles, and achievements. Populate Experience with summarized versions, and tighter versions of resume accomplishments. Investigate skills for your target jobs and populate Skills with these terms. To sum up, it’s not quite a resume but aligns with ALL the resumes you might use in your search.

Myth #6: Once my resume is written, I don’t have to do more work other than submit it.

One and done is what some job seekers feel about the job of their resume and job search, and I mean "resume singular." As you explained above, job seekers must tailor their resume to each job. But there's more to it, correct Laura?

Laura: It’s possible your experience doesn’t match employer requirements for each job you’re pursuing. It’s also possible your competition has MUCH stronger qualifications, or that your skills are outdated, or that you’re shooting above your pay grade for the next role. One of the reasons resume writing is so strenuous is that it should take all those factors into account. Years ago, thousands of people wanted high-paying pharmaceutical sales jobs... only they didn’t have industry experience or sales acumen!

You must look around at competitors (on LinkedIn and elsewhere) to see how you rate against your goals. You must describe strong achievements and incorporate keywords, and even more importantly, contact companies that interest you (there’s less competition). Networking will push you further; so will earning more credentials. Keep researching, tuning your resume, reaching out, and altering your strategy to find a match between employer needs and your qualifications.

Myth #7: Accomplishment statements are not required.

I recall a post you shared after I connected with you. You asserted that accomplishment statements should be included in the resume Summary. I questioned you on this, saying accomplishments should be saved for the Experience section; to which you said they should be listed in both the Summary and Experience section. Since then, I preach the same to my clients.

Laura: Without accomplishments on your resume or LinkedIn profile, employers have no way to distinguish you from others with similar experience. Describing how MUCH you’ve contributed, saved, improved, or otherwise influenced results at work tells employers exactly why you should be a front runner.

Most people don’t frame their accomplishments strongly enough. If you can’t pull these out of your head, ask someone who knows your work to describe what you do best and why it matters. Otherwise, brainstorm where you’ve made a notable difference and then quantify results using the percentage of improvement, costs saved, speed of completion, or other measurement. Put these wins anywhere on your resume! Try adding them in the profile Summary, in the bullets for each job, or condensed in a single “advertising tagline” at the top. Most importantly, get them out of your head and in front of people who can make a hiring decision.

There you have seven resume myths. I thank Laura for her contribution to the Myth Busters series. Keep your eyes open for the next one. And if you haven't read these Myth Busters, please do: Myth Busters: Kevin Turner Busts 5 LinkedIn Myths; Myth Busters: Edythe Richards Busts 8 Myths about Introverts and Extraverts.