A new year usually prompts change and a surge in investigators looking to better themselves, so keep in mind that employers have all seen the same old dreaded interchangeable resumes that look much like one another. Having once owned a placement agency I learned that “different” got my attention and I welcomed reading resumes that were off-the-wall because they also challenged my imagination and kept me guessing about who was behind them.

Here are five myths that I think the job-seeking investigator should bust to set himself or herself apart from the rest.

 Myth #1 Don’t Include your References

Yes. Include them in the resume. Why tell the employer they are “Available upon Request” when you have them? Include them with all of their contact information.

Doing this will make the employer think that you have nothing to hide and providing them will be taken to mean that you offered the employer an invitation to call them in advance of the interview you’re vying for. As the employer, you have “implied consent” to make contact prior to the interview.

 Myth #2 Don’t Get Flashy

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Why not affix a picture of yourself on your resume?

• Because I look like Quasimodo
• Because I don’t photograph well
• Because it’s none of your business what I look like
• Because you could base an opinion before meeting me
• Because it might prejudice my chances
• Because you could consider hiring me based on my looks and not my skills
• Because it would appear too egotistical or vain

If you are called for an interview, the employer will soon see your face, at which time he or she will still form a first impression within the time it takes to shake your hand. The employer will have the option to consider hiring you based on looks.

Bust myth #2 and market yourself. It’s not about your appearance, it’s about memory building and differentiating your resume from the rest. Not many include a picture of themselves and there’s your edge. If there are personal reasons you may not wish to expose yourself, that’s fine. But find a way to cut yourself away from the pack and distinguish your resume from all the others.

 Myth #3 Don’t Get Too Creative

Wrong. Do it. For instance add a “Release of Authorization”. What is that? It’s a paragraph you insert at the bottom of your resume that grants permission for the employer to conduct background research based on the information you provide on your resume. You offer a signed invitation to the prospective employer to call your previous employers and references and invite them to begin conducting a pre-employment background check.

Putting “permission where your mouth is” is a strong message to send to an employer. Formulate your own release in your own words, hand sign and date the resume. Always assume that your references will be called.

 Myth #4 Never Submit More than a 2-Page Resume

Some employers are one-page proponents and others want as much information as the candidate is willing to share. As a candidate, be yourself. Present yourself in a way that is consistent with your style. An employer can tell much by what you say and how you present your pedigree.

A short resume can frustrate the employer with a lack of detail while an exhaustive and wordy resume will produce that same result. Be comfortable with the wording you use in expressing yourself. Design a format that you would like to read if you were the employer.

Power words are nice but above all else…be honest. There is nothing worse than being caught in an exaggeration, a lie or an omission.

 Myth #5 There are Strict Rules to Resume Writing

There are no rules. A resume is an extension of your best foot forward. It is not your best foot because the best is yet to come.

Sending a resume via e-mail is not a serious attempt at job hunting. A snail-mail follow-up resume or, better yet, hand-delivered if you can, will add two points of contact to your effort.

A phone call to ensure they have it is good also. Getting your resume to the top of the pile is your goal to get a face-to-face interview.

 Signs of a Good Interviewer

• A good interviewer will have you off balance at “hello”.
• A good interviewer will have read your resume but may not speak to you about anything on your resume.
• A good interviewer will ask the same questions of all the candidates to determine who answers them more skillfully and honestly.
• A good interviewer will read your body language and listen to your answers and then ask follow-up questions you did not expect to be asked nor know enough to prepare for.