Stop Following Resume "Rules"

There is a copious amount of content published about resumes each day. Yet, not everything you read is true or beneficial. When it comes to writing a strong, interview-winning resume, I caution job-seekers to qualify advice carefully. Avoid being led down rabbit holes warning you about strict resume "rules" that promise instant results. Honestly, there are no rules in resume writing -- just best practices and guidelines.

Over the past dozen years as an executive resume writer for business leaders all over the world, I’ve seen the resume evolve and advance dramatically. Once a simple chronology of work experience printed on paper and hand-delivered, the resume has become a strategic document that must be eye-catching and system-abiding. This personal marketing tool will be scanned, screened and meticulously evaluated by various hiring authorities.

Yet, developing a resume that gets you noticed does not require a standardized approach. Here’s why:

You are unique. Therefore, your resume must be, too.

No two job-seekers are alike. Each comes to the table with unique experiences and a select arsenal of skills and expertise. What matters to employers the most is “What can you do for me?” That’s it. Standardizing your resume into select templates, formats or strategies can restrict information-sharing and prevent the reader from deciphering true value.

Write your resume with your audience top of mind. If your industry is more formal (think accounting or finance), try a more reserved format that positions your value offering without any distractions. On the other hand, if your industry is more visual (perhaps artistic design or social media marketing), you may want to employ a format that demonstrates a bit more personality and flair.

Solid substance trumps page length.

What works best: one page or two -- maybe even three? The answer is whatever length is appropriate to get key content across. If you are reading suggestions of very specific page lengths, question the reasoning before producing.

Resume length alone does not determine effectiveness.

Today’s modern resumes often go through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which don’t discern length. These systems are programmed to search for related keywords and key phrases. Summarizing a detailed career history onto just one page could work against you.

In addition to ATS, actual human readers want facts, details and proof of ability. A simple summary of work history can’t possibly give employers enough context and rich results to spur them into interviewing you, especially if your career spans 15 or more years. Yet, extremely lengthy resumes don’t work well, either, as they fatigue readers.

So, instead of focusing on some silly page requirement, think about quality of content versus quantity. Distill details down to what matters most, and let value dictate length.

Different application avenues call for different types of applications.

Perhaps the most relevant reasons that resume rules are limiting are the diverse ways modern job-seekers search for, and apply for, jobs. Online applications remain popular, albeit trying. More productive avenues now include direct applications, networking and referrals. Some of these avenues involve human resume readers; some don’t.

To ensure a resume is easily reviewed and approved by  both people and computer screeners, unique strategies are required.

Each type of resume screener has distinct ways to parse details, skim content and qualify career facts. Therefore, ATS-compliant resumes are needed for online applications and a human-reader-ready format must be considered for direct distribution. If you aren’t sure what format would work best, a certified resume writer can partner with you to create a customized strategy.

Following strict resume rules can be limiting or damaging. If you want increased success in your job search, qualify resume advice carefully and create a resume that best addresses your distinct value, job target, career history, employment barriers and industry. Unnecessary confinements won’t help your resume rise to the top.

** This post was originally shared on Forbes.com

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