Have Resume Questions? Here Are Some Answers

Isn't it the worst feeling when you're working on your resume and then come up with questions that you just don't have the answers to? Well, the good news is that the answers are somewhere, especially if you have guidance from a resume writer or regular access to the Internet. But in this case, you have some answers to common questions right in front of you, so let's take time to explore what they are.

Are Two-Page Resumes Too Long?

There is a common myth that a resume's length should stick to one page. But in many cases, by the time you hit mid-career, you have plenty to share, which is why bumping into a second page is perfectly fine if you have the details to disclose. In some cases, you may have to even go to a third if you are an executive or CEO.

Are Gaps in Employment Bad?

Traditionally, gaps in employment are red flags for hiring managers. They signal points in your career where you took too much time off for no good reason -- or at least that's what they think. This is why it's up to you to share what you did in your interim period, whether you volunteered, raised the family or went to find yourself in Europe.

Every experience with purpose brings with it knowledge and maybe even some skills. By sharing these experiences, you give more depth to your character, rather than offering more reasons for the hiring manager to be skeptical of your capabilities.

What Are Testimonials?

You may have heard about adding testimonials to your resume, but don't know exactly what they are. They are words of insight into who you are and how you've made a difference from someone who has worked with you closely.

So for example, if someone loved how you managed their account, you could have them write a 1-2 sentence quote about how you did it and why they loved it. By adding this to your resume, you could help hiring managers anticipate what great things you could do for them.

There are probably tons of other questions you want to ask to turn your resume into one that could get you called in for an interview. But hopefully these will help to get you on the right track.