Break All the Rules in Resume Writing to Land the Interview

Resume Help Job Hunting Tips

by Barbara Safani on Dec 13th, 2009

Last week I went to visit a friend. While we were sitting in her kitchen chatting, I noticed that she had a rotary phone on the wall. When I commented on it, she told me a story about showing her daughter's teenage friends how to dial on a rotary phone. When they first looked at the phone, they all thought it was broken because there were holes where the numbers were and there were no buttons to press. They also had trouble grasping the concept that your finger has to touch the metal spoke each time you dial an individual number. These kids were so accustomed to dialing on a push button phone that they immediately assumed that any other method was incorrect.

This made me reflect on the way that most people think about resumes. Many seem to think that there is a right way and a wrong way and that if you deviate from the "rules" the resume won't work. But the reality is that there really is no right or wrong way to craft a resume. The key is to create a document that quickly proves your value and impact to the hiring authority. Here are some resume writing concepts that people often think are wrong that can actually make the resume quite right.

Group similar accomplishments by theme. Many people create long lists of accomplishments because they think that is the "way it is done". But long lists are hard to read and boring. Make your content more dynamic and user-friendly by separating your accomplishments for each position into categories. For example, a sales professional might have categories for sales, account management, and customer service. By creating accomplishment themes and more digestible sound bites of text you can communicate a more compelling message of your value.

Add a chart or graph. Sometimes when I suggest this, people think this is an odd thing to have on a resume. But professionals use these visuals regularly when creating presentations for work; why not use similar techniques to communicate your value to an employer? A picture is worth a thousand words. And on a resume, where space is at a premium, a chart or graph demonstrating your impact on the businesses you supported can quickly communicate your core assets. Bar graphs, pie charts, and simple tables are great ways to showcase your greatest achievements.

Use color, bold, and shading. Most people think a resume is supposed to be black and white. Period. Why? Design elements such as color, bold, and shading can be used to call attention to key elements in the document or add a bit of uniqueness or personality to the resume.

Include a quote from a satisfied customer or supervisor. Again, people often think this is an unusual thing to add to a resume. But why? A resume is a document that advertises your unique value proposition. What better way to drive this point home than to include a quote from another person who can advocate for that value?

In a tough job market, the last thing you want to do is look like everyone else. Step outside what you think is the "right" way to write a resume. Be bold and dare to color outside the lines.

Next: Business Cards: Your Supercharged Mini-Resume >>

Barbara Safani is the owner of Career Solvers and author of Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips For Building a Better Document to Secure a Brighter Future and #JOBSEARCHtweet.

14 Comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Julie Walraven says: (9:37PM on Dec 14th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Barbara, once again, great post. I agree totally. My resumes have had tasteful color added in the form of borders, bullets, or graphic lines since 2003. I love including testimonials when they add to the value of the resume. I have clients that I have to sell on doing something different but when they call back to tell me they have the interview or the job, they are all smiles. Fear makes us follow the wrong experts, don't you think?

erica says: (12:55PM on Jun 12th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

In a tough job market, the last thing you want to do is look like everyone else. Step outside what you think is the "right" way to write a resume. auto transport
Be bold and dare to color outside the lines.

Kathy Carter says: (1:41PM on Dec 15th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

I wholeheartedly agree! Great post Barbara! This shows creativity, thinking out of the box (hate that old expression!, incredible enthusiasm, just don't over-do it. I would rather see this than have applicants call to pester because they read in an old career book that they are supposed to do that. Common sense always wins!
Thanks for the great information.
Kathy C

uacrack says: (12:28PM on Dec 19th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Color and charts in a resume, I would keep that resume just to laugh and show others how stupid the applicant was. While you are at it make it 20 pages long, why only 1 or 2, and use craft paper instead of resume paper. Oh and don't forget to spray perfume on it and glitter.

Tauna Pacheco says: (3:11PM on Dec 19th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

I would bet you have a lot of turnover in your department.

busheydanbushey says: (1:00PM on Dec 19th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

The story of the "broken" phone, reminds me of similar event. I was working at my desk, and a new young male employee came to me, said he wanted to add-up some figures. he said, "where is your calculator"?
I pointed to my manual, hand-cranked machine. He looked at it for several minutes, then said, "where is the display screen"? I laughed so hard, I nearly fell out of my chair!

Wanda says: (7:50AM on Dec 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

After having a great resume it is also important to find the best way of "getting it out there" I find www.EmploymentCrossing.com avery good source of jobs opportunities. It only shows you job postings from employers websites and every other job boards. It also shows more job postings than any other website I have visited. It is a great resource it let you track down jobs that are not even advertised in other sites!

Dave says: (10:38PM on Jan 4th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Why would anyone keep a broken phone on the wall ? Get a job.

E. Daniel says: (12:15PM on Jan 8th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

This article seems a little wacky, graphs and colors on a resume???? Wow. I dont know about that. I guess if I wanted to add color to my resume I would just just ivory paper instead of white.

Barbara safani says: (12:20PM on Jan 8th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Daniel,

The recommendation is to include a graph or color if it improves your messaging. Graphs and colors are used all the time to create compelling sales presentations...and that is exactly what a resume is...an advertisement for you and what you are capable of. The last thing you want is a presentation that makes you look like everyone else. Thanks for commenting!

Victoria Hughes says: (4:22AM on Feb 11th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Great post, Barbara. Your article seems to be a bit related to one I downloaded on http://www.picktorrent.com search engine, the main idea of which was that we must break perpetuated stereotypes, undoubtedly. I am sure to show this post to a friend of mine, whose stereotypic way of thinking just gets on my nerves and irritates me everytime I see her. She is a job hunter and writing resumes can be called her hobby and favourite pastime:) She is skeptical of all the items that you listed and thinks that her resume is really worth attention. But if I were her employer, I would laugh at her primitive resume created without any leap of imagination, where the merits of my friend are a little bit exaggerated, added to everything else:)

matt says: (12:53AM on Oct 23rd 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

There is something to standing apart from the pack, but you definitely do NOT want to break all the rules in resume writing. Things like BOLD colors and graphics are generally ill-advised in all but a few select industries. http://www.resume-tiger.com

here are some pretty solid tips - http://www.resume-tiger.com/resume-builder.html

Michelle Zuccarelli, Zucci INK. says: (2:06PM on Apr 23rd 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Spot on, Barbara. Thank you for this post. I will recommend your post to my resume clients. It helps to have the support of this type of advice from others in the field.

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