Scrub These Words And Phrases From Your Resume Right Now
Who wouldn't say
they're "hardworking" and "results-oriented"?
Unfortunately, those descriptors won't land you an interview.
We've all heard the saying, "You’ll never get a second chance
to make a first impression." This is perhaps most true when it comes to
your resume. While many companies use screening software to screen resumes,
recruiters are largely the first people you need to impress.
"The language or content of a resume can definitely tank a
job seeker’s chances of landing their dream job," says Jamie Hichens,
senior talent acquisition partner at Glassdoor. "You have a limited amount
of time to catch a recruiter or hiring manager’s eye—use it wisely."
Filling precious resume space with
verbose language or overused
buzzwords can certainly backfire. So we tapped a group of HR and resume
experts to give us the inside scoop on some of the most common words and
phrases to avoid. Scan your CV to make sure you’re not guilty of including any of them.
"Your employment dates already show if you’re unemployed—you
don’t need to highlight it," says Hichens.
"We hope you are a hardworking individual who shows up to
work on time and is self-motivated, but you don’t need to call it out,"
she adds.
"Command of Microsoft Office
is not a skill. It’s a given."
"Misspelled words [like this
one] should never appear on your resume," says Elizabeth Harrison, client
services manager and senior recruitment partner at the recruiting firm Decision Toolbox. "Read your
resume numerous times, print it and take a pen to it and have someone else read
it. One misspelled word can completely eliminate an otherwise strong candidate
from consideration because it demonstrates lack of attention to detail."
"Popular resume templates and
HR pros prompt job seekers to include a list of strategic skills on their
resume," says Glassdoor expert Eileen Meyer. "From Java to Final Cut Pro,
speaking Arabic to spearheading 150% growth, be sure to include not only the
relevant skills that make you a perfect fit for the role, but also the skills
that make you stand out. Take note, command of Microsoft Office is not a skill.
It’s a given."
"Is your career trajectory pretty straightforward and lacking
major gaps between jobs? Then you probably don’t need an objective
statement," contends Glassdoor writer Caroline Gray. "If your resume
is self-explanatory, there’s no need to take up valuable space with anything
that’s redundant. Also, if you’re submitting a cover letter with your resume,
that should be more than sufficient in addressing your objective for your
application.
"Words like ‘synergy’ and ‘wheelhouse’ are completely
overused lingo," insists Hichens. Steer clear.
Having "references upon
request" at the bottom of your resume is a sign that a candidate is
overeager. If a recruiter wants to call to know more about you, they will reach
out directly. There is no need to point out the obvious. As one HR expert said, "everyone assumes we want
references, but honestly, we can ask."
"Talking in first or third
person reads weird—did someone write your resume for you? Just state the
facts."
"Talking in first or third person reads weird—did someone
write your resume for you? Just state the facts," says Hichens. Avoid
"I," "me," "she," "he,"
"her," and "him." For example, write, "Led a team of
four," not, "I led a team of four people" or "Jamie led a
team."
This term, says Jennifer Bensusen, technology lead and senior
recruitment partner at Decision Toolbox, has "been overused in the last
five years." Like other cheeky titles that have come into wider use, like
"ninja," it's best to avoid it—"unless you are truly a singing
superstar, applying for a wedding singer or entertainer role that is!"
Bensusen says not to refer to "technology or systems you have
touched or were exposed to but really don’t know." For example, stay away
from sentences like, ". . . a Software Engineer who dabbled with Python in
college seven years ago but has been developing in .NET professionally
since." In this case, don’t add Python to your resume if you’re not a pro.
Again, a candidate being on time is an expectation.
"[Instead] craft a well thought out, concise resume with interesting
content on accomplishments, KPI success or significant highlights with bullets
on what you did," advises Bensusen. "Did you create efficiencies that
saved the company big bucks? Did you hire a stellar team that accomplished
world peace?"
"Stay away from the word 'expert,' unless you truly
are," says Bensusen. Otherwise, "be prepared to be peppered with
questions regarding your expertise."
Negative words should not be included in a resume. "Resumes
should demonstrate what you can do and not what you can not do," says
Harrison.
Instead of saying you're
accomplished, show it. "Accomplishments are currency when
it comes to resumes," says Anish Majumdar, CEO of ResumeOrbit.com.
"The more you have, and the more applicable they are to the job you want,
the greater your perceived worth. This can have a big impact not just on
whether you receive an interview, but how much you’re ultimately offered.
Front-load the accomplishment, then describe how it was achieved."
Nicole Cox, chief recruitment officer at Decision Toolbox, adds to
that advice: "Substantiate your accomplishments with numbers," she says.
Some recruiters prefer to see actual numbers (such as "cut manufacturing
costs by $500,000"), while others prefer percentages ("cut
manufacturing costs by 15%"). Either way, provide enough context to show
the impact. If your objective was to cut manufacturing costs by 10%, make it
clear that you exceeded the goal.
Majumdar gives this example, which explains not only what you
accomplished but how: "Improved customer satisfaction 30% within nine
months through re-engineering support processes and introducing new training
materials to staff.'"
"Personal information about age, relationships, or children
can expose you to discrimination," warns Cox. "Employers aren’t
allowed to ask for that kind of information, and you shouldn’t offer." As
Harrison notes, "These items do not pertain to the qualifications of an
individual for a position."
"Often, careerists will write,
‘Responsible for’ at the beginning of a statement," says expert resume
writer Jacqui
Barrett-Poindexter, even "when a more powerful lead-in would" be better.
"Instead of 'seasoned sales management executive,' write, ‘regional sales
manager for largest revenue-generating area, exceeding competitors by 25–55% in
revenue growth, year-over-year,'" she advises. "In other words,
strengthen the story through muscular verbiage and results. Lead with strength
and energy."
"While many other words are misused or diluted by overuse,
these are the weakest and most abused," says Barrett-Poindexter. "If
your resume language or content is weak, unfocused, [or] rambling, you can
obliterate your chances of landing that dream role."
AMY ELISA JACKSON, GLASSDOOR
https://www.fastcompany.com/3068095/hit-the-ground-running/scrub-these-17-words-and-phrases-from-your-resume-right-now?utm_source=mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=fast-company-daily-newsletter&position=5&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02132017
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