If your resume is like those of most people, it’s not as good as it could be. The problem is the language that is used. “Most resumes are a thicket of deadwood words and phrases — empty cliches, annoying jargon, and recycled buzzwords. Recruiters, HR folks, and hiring managers see these same terms over and over again,” says Charles Purdy, blogging for monsterthinking.com. He recommends you get rid of these terms:
1. “Salary Negotiable”
If you’re wasting a precious line of your resume on this term, it looks as though you’re padding—that you’ve run out of things to talk about, Purdy says.
2. “References available by request”
See the preceding comment about unnecessary terms.
3. “Responsible for ______” Reading this term, “the recruiter can almost picture the C-average, uninspired employee mechanically fulfilling his or her job requirements: no more, no less.” Having been responsible for something isn’t something you did—it’s something that happened to you. Turn phrases like “responsible for” into “managed,” “led,” or other decisive, strong verbs.
4. “Experience working in ______”
Again, experience is something that happens to you—not something you achieve. Describe your background in terms of achievements.
5. “Detail-oriented”
So, you pay attention to details. Well, so does everyone else. Don’t you have something unique to tell the hiring manager, asks Purdy, adding that “putting this on your resume only makes that accidental typo in your cover letter or resume all the more comical.”
6. “Hard-working”
Anyone can call himself or herself a hard worker. It’s a lot more convincing if you describe situations in which your hard work benefitted an employer (and use concrete details).
7. “Team player”
See the preceding comment about showing instead of telling. There are very few jobs that don’t involve working with someone else. If you have relevant success stories about collaboration, put them on your resume. Talk about the kinds of teams you worked on, and how you succeeded.
8. “Proactive”
This is a completely deflated buzzword. Again, says Purdy, “show; don’t tell.”
For similar resume writing tips, check out: How to Make your Resume less Boring, 13 Phrases to Avoid in Your Resume, and How to Write a Powerful Resume.
Filed under: Advice for the job seeker, Career Management, Recent Grad Tagged: | Resume
