Let's Be Honest About the The Search - Resume Myths

[Joywtseo421]

I am taking a short (very short) break from writing about finding your passion and I want to explore/ explode some myths that the “experts” keep telling Job Seekers about what happens during your job search, and what is important for the Job Seeker to think about.

I am coming from the perspective of, first and foremost, having been a Hiring Manager for the first 26 years of my career. I managed recruiting during most of those years, but ultimately my role was as an honest to god hiring manager. Many uganda phone number library of the folks writing/coaching Job Seekers have never sat in that chair. Never had to hire someone and then manage the person on a day-to-day basis. I have. In addition, for the past eight years, I have been a recruiter and a coach, so I have seen that side of the table as well.

Before I decided to write this blog, I had to verify if my assumptions were still valid. So, I called/ emailed a few dozen of my favorite hiring managers to discuss what they look at, what they read/don’t read on resumes and what they want to see. Not surprising, this hasn’t changed much over the years. So, let’s explore some myths and assumptions about resume writing, job searches, applications and interviewing.


Resume Writing:
Myth 1: Spend a lot of time making sure your Cover Letter is engaging. Customize it for each role. I will quote an article I read today on this subject, “A well-written, engaging cover letter, that’s customized to a particular opening can open doors when your resume alone might not have gotten you a second look.”

Fact: No one reads cover letters. When I asked the question, “When was the last time you ever read a cover letter?” Most hiring manager’s responded, “Never”. A high percentage told me that they aren’t even sent them anymore. An article in the March 26, 2012 issue of Forbes titled, “What Your Resume is Up Against”, begins, “Last week, the job search site released research showing that recruiters only spend an average of 6.25 seconds looking at a candidate’s résumé before deciding whether he or she is a fit for a job.