🧾 Top 5 Resume Myths That Might Be Holding You Back

Your resume is your first shot at making a strong impression—and in many cases, it’s your only shot. But most people build their resume based on outdated advice, internet templates, or well-meaning tips from friends that simply don’t work anymore.

If your resume isn’t getting results, you may be following bad advice without even knowing it. Let’s bust five of the most common resume myths that might be holding you back—and what to do instead.

❌ Myth #1: Your Resume Should Only Be One Page

Why People Believe It:

Because they were told recruiters “don’t read past the first page.”

The Reality:

If you’re early in your career, sure—a one-pager might be fine. But if you have 5, 10, or 20+ years of experience, trying to cram it all into one page does more harm than good.

What to Do:

Use two pages if you need to—just make sure every line adds value. A clean, well-organized two-page resume is far better than a one-page mess crammed with tiny fonts and vague summaries.

❌ Myth #2: You Should Include Every Job You’ve Ever Had

Why People Believe It:

More experience = better resume, right?

The Reality:

Hiring managers care most about relevant experience. That part-time job from 2004 or that temp gig you hated for three months? Not helping.

What to Do:

Focus on the last 10–15 years, and only include jobs that support the kind of roles you’re applying for now. Quality over quantity.

❌ Myth #3: You Should List Responsibilities—Not Results

Why People Believe It:

Because job descriptions list duties, and people think resumes should mimic that.

The Reality:

Listing responsibilities makes your resume sound like a copy-paste job. Recruiters want to see what you accomplished, not just what you were assigned.

What to Do:

Use bullet points that combine action + impact:

“Managed a team of 5” becomes
“Led a team of 5 to exceed sales goals by 30% over three consecutive quarters.”

Results sell. Duties don’t.

❌ Myth #4: Fancy Fonts and Graphics Make You Stand Out

Why People Believe It:

Because it looks cool—and standing out is good, right?

The Reality:

Most resumes are scanned by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Those systems can’t interpret columns, graphics, or fancy formatting. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never be seen by a human.

What to Do:

Keep it clean. Stick to standard fonts like Calibri or Arial. Use bold, spacing, and bullet points for visual structure. Let your content—not your formatting—do the talking.

❌ Myth #5: Once It’s Done, You’re Set

Why People Believe It:

Because resume writing is exhausting. Once you have it, you want to be done.

The Reality:

Your resume is a living document. It should evolve with every new job, skill, certification, or goal. One static version can’t cover all possible roles or career shifts.

What to Do:

Update your resume regularly—even if you’re not job hunting. That way, you’re always ready if an opportunity comes your way.

✅ Final Thoughts: Ditch the Myths, Get Results

Your resume isn’t just a formality—it’s your ticket to opportunity. But if you’re building it on outdated advice or internet hearsay, you’re limiting your chances before you even apply.

Clarity, relevance, and results-driven writing will always outperform generic templates and resume myths.

📣 Need a Resume That Works?

At Twin Rivers Communications, I build custom, professional resumes that:

• Are ATS-friendly

• Speak your industry’s language

• Highlight your strengths and results

• Get you noticed—for the right reasons

📞 Call or text 321-578-8133 to get started.