Bad Resume Advice You Should Completely Ignore

There’s a lot of advice out there about resumes – and unfortunately, some of it is bad resume advice. If you want to progress through the hiring process, you need to make sure your resume contains all the right information in an optimal format. 

The best way to do that is turn bad resume advice into good resume advice, so you end up with something that gets past the ATS and impresses hiring managers. 

Bad resume advice #1: you need an objective statement

The objective statement is obsolete. It will only limit your opportunities and could completely miss the mark. It’s assumed that your objective is to land the job you’re applying for – otherwise you wouldn’t be applying for the job at all. In addition, your resume should focus on what the company needs – not what you want!

Good resume advice: Use a professional career summary to show your value and what you offer. This will immediately tell the recruiter what skills you have and how they can be applied at that company.

Bad resume advice #2: You need an exciting, graphic format

This is one of the number one resume mistakes, as it can make your resume look unprofessional. A graphic resume is unlikely to impress a recruiter – it will just make your resume harder to read and will not be interpreted accurately by an ATS. Stick to the basics – your skills and experience are what matter the most. Bad resumes prioritize visuals over content.

Good resume advice: The best format to get hired is plain and simple – the reverse chronological format. 

Bad resume advice #3: stick to one page

The “one-page” resume rule is a myth. So, how long should your resume be? It varies, depending on a few factors, including how much experience you have and your level of seniority. There's no reason a senior executive with 20 years of experience should be expected to condense all their accomplishments and major contributions to one page.

Good resume advice: Make the length of your resume reflect your career and experience: one page for entry-level and two pages for five plus years of experience.

Bad resume advice #4: you must hide any employment gaps

There's no need to hide your past and gloss over employment gaps on your resume. Of course, filling in the gaps is easier said than done, so create a very brief summary explaining what you gained from your time away and what you did with the time.

Good resume advice: Be honest and explain yourself in as concise a way as possible. Wrap up the explanation with what you learned and how any new skills apply to the job you want.

Bad resume advice #5: you must detail your responsibilities in every role 

You don’t need to explain everything you’ve ever done in every job you’ve ever had. Hiring managers don’t want to read through lots of irrelevant detail to find the bits they’re interested in. Moreover, excessive information can dilute the key message of your resume and detract from the skills and work experience that really sell you into the role. 

Good resume advice: Include only information that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for and summarize – or delete – everything else. 

Arm yourself against bad resume advice

Have you got a bad resume? If you recognize your document in any of these points, it’s time to give your resume a rethink. 

To avoid common mistakes, why not submit it to the experts at TopResume for a free resume review? We can help you to fix a bad resume and take a good one to the next level! 

This article was originally written by Isabel Stanish and has been updated by Jen David.

Recommended reading: 

• What Not to Include in a Resume: 15 Things to Remove Right Away

• Resume Help: Are You a Doer or an Achiever?

• Everything to Know About Lying on Your Resume