5 resume-writing rules you should break in 2018

1. The rule that says you can’t use the word “I” in your resume. Of course you can! It’s your branding document, after all!

2. The rule that says you must list the tasks and duties you performed at every past job. Those are things anyone in the role would have done. Tell us what you achieved, specifically.

3. The rule that says you must list every job you ever held on your resume. Your resume is a branding document, not a legal document. Include the jobs you want to include on your resume and leave out the rest.

4. The rule that says you must list your past jobs with no explanation of why you moved from one job to the next. What hiring managers really want to understand is your path — so share it with them! Try to use the last bullet under each job to explain why you left, something like this:

1. I built Zango’s first PR program, and got our CEO on national TV within six months.
2. Together with our Marketing team I built our public webinar series from 85 to 650 participants in one year.
3. I left Zango when the firm was bought by Reddingo.

Now your hiring manager knows why you’re job hunting. Reducing uncertainty is your principal job as a resume writer!

5. Finally, go ahead and break the old-fashioned resume-writing rule that states you must focus on numeric and measurable achievements in your resume. That’s ridiculous!

If you conceived and sold a huge, groundbreaking idea to your CEO, COO, CTO or any senior of yours it doesn’t matter so much whether or not you stuck around long enough to see the idea implemented or to see its measurable results. You can still tell the story, whether you’ve got numbers to share or not!