The Do’s and Don’ts of Resumes: 2022 Edition

How many pages should my resume be? Should I include a photo? A cover letter?

Instead of frantically searching for consensus on these and other questions, scroll through our well-researched FAQs for the most up-to-date resume guidance.

First, a quick vocabulary lesson:

• ATS (applicant tracking system): According to Jobscan.co, “An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a human resources software that acts as a database for job applicants. ATS are used by companies of all sizes to organize, search, and communicate with large groups of applicants. Ninety-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS as part of their recruiting strategy.”

How long is too long for a resume?

You’ve probably met some stalwarts that feel unless you are a CEO, your resume shouldn’t be more than a single page. Most recruiters say they are looking for a resume that is 1-2 pages, maximum. It’s rare that there is more information you’d need to share upfront - remember, a resume’s job is to get you to the interview phase. It is not an extensive summary of your accomplishments (and we know you have many).

Should I add a photo to my resume?

Unless you’re applying for a job where there is specific criteria only a photo can communicate (think: the role of Snow White at Disney World), then do not include a photo. This is simply taking up room and will be skipped by most ATS that scan text on your resume. Plus, while we aspire to remove unconscious bias from the interview process, be aware that no human is perfect. Essentially, if it’s not necessary to do the job, then don’t include it on your resume.

What file format should I use?

Word doc or PDF are the most-preferred file formats for resumes. In creative fields, there may be an additional ask for a website or portfolio.

What experience should I put in my resume?

Tailoring your resume for your ideal role is key. Unlike LinkedIn, a resume releases you from a strictly chronological list of your work experience and gives you the freedom to highlight the most relevant work experience to the desired role. This is why it’s critical (for both an ATS and human reader) to identify keywords from the job description to incorporate where appropriate into your resume experiences.

At Pathfinder Resume, we know top companies (e.g. Amazon) are looking for specific figures in your resume highlights. Instead of using words like “a lot” or “significant,” try to quantify the impact you had. Instead of leading a “significant number of projects resulting in increased revenue,” try to answer “what kind” and “how much:” “Led 5+ global projects, resulting in $10M additional revenue.”

Will gaps in my resume hurt my chances?

It’s 2022. We’ve survived a multi-year global pandemic. We are all dealing with the stressors of work, family, and finances. Fortunately, it is becoming more widely accepted to have gaps in your work experience for any number of reasons. Again, your resume is a creative space for you to tell your story. I recommend including a brief sentence regarding any gaps in work history, positioned as simply as possible. If you took time off to try launching a small venture, absolutely highlight what you learned from the experience. If you had a more personal or medical reason, keep it short and sweet and focused on the future.

Should I include a cover letter?

I know this will be controversial, but yes, absolutely YES include a cover letter if you are given the option. Worst case, no one reads it. Best case, it pushes you over the top of other candidates who are relying solely on their resume and work experience. Great themes to build a cover letter around are gratitude for the opportunity, a specific example of how you’d exceed in the role, and a personal connection to the company or job. This is a great time to show you’ve done your research on the company.

Can I reach out to recruiters and hiring managers?

Yes. Before you go tracking down the LinkedIn pages of every last recruiter at a company, consider (1) how your message will be received by the person you’ve identified, and (2) what you’re looking to get out of the interaction.

If you’re just looking for an update on the application you submitted, skip it - this could be annoying depending on the number of projects the recruiter or hiring manager is simultaneously managing, and often times hiring managers only see resumes that make it through recruiting teams and ATS.

If you have a contact “in common” with the person you’ve identified, by all means, kindly share with your common connection that you’re interested in X role, and ask if that person would be willing to make an introduction so that you can grow your network.

We like to position “cold networking” in terms of long-term relationships rather than transactional “give me a job” interactions. For example, if you see someone who is in a similar role or team to the job you’re interested in, reach out - in a short but sweet message, ask for any advice the individual might have for landing a similar role. Show gratitude. People are more willing to share their experiences than you think.