Workplace Myths

You've heard it over and over again -- a resume needs to be only one page. WRONG. A resume is as long as it needs to be.

True, someone just out of college, or with two years of experience may get it all on one page -- depending on margins and font size.

Beware of "cramming" it all on the one page, just to keep it short. A small font size, for instance, guarantees that if the resume needs to be faxed -- it will compress into something quite unreadable.

The resume is your calling card, and the first page needs to be so compelling that the reader can't put it down. The Professional Summary, and even degrees, are there for attracting attention. There needs to be enough white space, so that the document is easily readable. It is, to be sure, your professional presentation; and it must be the very best.

Another myth: "success" means staying at the same job for thirty years. Not true! That time has long passed. One thing I can guarantee: whatever job you have now won't be your last one. We are in a workplace time now where multiple careers are the norm. Sometimes individuals are doing more than one thing at a time. The secret to always having work is lifetime learning, keeping yourself marketable, and being able to do more than one thing.

Some say that the only real compensation on the job is base salary. That's certainly a myth. Compensation comes in many currencies. Benefits come under the heading of compensation, as does length of vacation time, bonus money, car allowances, club memberships, and professional association dues -- just to mention a few.

Sometimes in salary negotiation, it is possible to negotiate a six-month's performance review, rather than one at the end of a year. This can positively impact compensation.

Remember: put off discussion of compensation as long as possible in the interview process. The first one who mentions money loses! -- is generally true. Keep the focus on the duties and responsibilities of a job during the interview process. If they ask you "what’s it going to take to get you?", just say you want to keep talking about the job, and that you know that such a wonderful company, if they offer you a job, will definitely make a fair and equitable offer. Stay the self-confident professional. It's an impressive stance.

Interviewers will always end up asking those questions you are afraid they will ask. If there is anything you know up front that will be an issue, try to bring it up before the interviewer does. That will make sure that you don't have to be defensive about the issue. In other words, if you can't fix it -- feature it.

Practice, practice before an interview. Know everything you possibly can about the company, and even about the individuals interviewing you. Be prepared. When they ask you (and they will) if you have any questions, be sure you have a list in your head, or in your pocket. Nothing is worse than having no questions! It will be interpreted as lack of interest.

Attitude is everything. Be upbeat and enthusiastic. Look and dress the part. And know, for sure, that the job you are interviewing for isn't the only one on the planet. Care -- but don’t care too much. Have several things in the works, if you can, at all times. This keeps all the eggs from being in one basket.

Does The Office get it right? You decide. It's a well crafted and acted show with great humor. Perhaps it will make you think, even though really different from the reality you face every in the work world.