Don't Try to Please Outliers

I just heard about a company - a well-known company - that apparently throws away any resumes that are more than one page long. It doesn't matter for what position or what level. It doesn't matter how many years of experience or how many great things the candidates have accomplished, this company doesn't want to know about them if they won't fit on one page.

Huh?

Hearing about this made me think about all the bad advice that job seekers receive as they search for a new position. Maybe you've received some of it yourself. But how can you know whether the advice you're getting is good or bad? After all, recruiting is an art not a science - there are no hard and fast rules.

I think you have to apply the common sense test. Ask yourself, does that actually make sense? Does it really make sense to apply an arbitrary page limitation to the hiring process? Is that truly the best way to find the most suitable people for the vacant positions?

If the answer is no, as it is in this case, then you can bet that most other companies are not acting that way. And if you change your resume from 2 pages to 1 page just to suit the crazy people, you're actually losing out on opportunities at all the other organizations.

So whenever someone gives you job search advice - and they will! - apply the common sense test. Don't assume that they know what they're talking about because of age/experience/qualifications etc. People from all walks of life and at all levels do some wacky things!

Cross-posted at Career Hub

Comments

[Tristan L. Sullivan]

I agree. There are always stories we can use to scare ourselves, but those are the exception. Common sense prevails. Good writing!