{"id":1163,"date":"2011-11-15T11:39:03","date_gmt":"2011-11-15T09:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/observatorio.zeus.umh.es\/?p=1163"},"modified":"2012-04-23T11:59:58","modified_gmt":"2012-04-23T10:59:58","slug":"final-cut-words-to-strike-from-your-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/observatorio.umh.es\/ca\/2011\/11\/15\/final-cut-words-to-strike-from-your-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Cut: Words to Strike from Your Resume"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>If you’ve applied for a job recently, you’ve probably looked over that 8\u00bd\u00a0 x 11″ summary of your career more times than you can count-and tweaked it just as often-in pursuit of\u00a0the perfect resume<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But before you add another bullet point, consider this: It’s not always about what you add in-the best changes you can make may lie in what you take out.<\/p>\n

The average resume is chock-full of sorely outdated, essentially meaningless phrases that take up valuable space on the page. Eliminate them, and you’ll come off as a better, more substantial candidate-and your resume won’t smack of that same generic, mind-numbing quality found on everyone else’s.<\/p>\n

Every word-yes, every word-on that page should be working hard to highlight your talents and skills. If it’s not, it shouldn’t be on there. So grab a red pen, and banish these words from your resume for good.<\/p>\n

Career Objective<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first few resumes had a statement like this emblazoned top and center: “Career objective: To obtain a position as a [insert job title here] that leverages my skills and experience as well as provides a challenging environment that promotes growth.”<\/p>\n

Yawn. This is not only boring, it’s ineffective (and sounds a little juvenile, to boot). The top of your resume is prime real estate, and it needs to\u00a0grab a hiring manager’s attention<\/a> with a list of your top accomplishments, not a summary of what you hope to get out of your next position.<\/p>\n

Experienced<\/strong>
\nYou can be “experienced” in something after you’ve done it once-or every day for the past 10 years. So drop this nebulous term and be specific. If, for example, you’re a Client Report Specialist, using a phrase such as “Experienced in developing client reports” is both vague and redundant. But sharing that you “Created five customized weekly reports to analyze repeat client sales activity”-now that gives the reader a better idea of where exactly this so-called experience lies, with some actual results attached.<\/p>\n

Also eliminate:<\/strong> seasoned, well-versed<\/p>\n

Team Player<\/strong>
\nIf you’ve ever created an online dating profile, you know that you don’t just say that you’re nice and funny-you craft a fun, witty profile that shows it. Same goes for your resume: It’s much more effective to list activities or accomplishments that portray your good qualities in action than to simply claim to have them.<\/p>\n

Instead of “team player,” say “Led project team of 10 to develop a new system for distributing reports that reduced the time for managers to receive reports by 25%.” Using a specific example, you show what you can actually accomplish. But simply labeling yourself with a quality? Not so much.<\/p>\n

Also eliminate:<\/strong> people person, customer-focused<\/p>\n

Dynamic<\/strong>
\nWhile resumes are meant to highlight your best attributes, some personality traits are better left to the hiring manager to decide upon for herself. There is a difference between appropriately and accurately describing your work skills and just tooting your own horn. Plus, even the most introverted wallflower will claim to be “dynamic” on a piece of paper because, well, why not? When it comes to resumes, keep the content quantifiable, show tangible results and successes, and\u00a0wait until the interview<\/a> to show off your “dynamism,” “enthusiasm,” or “energy.”<\/p>\n

Also eliminate:<\/strong> energetic, enthusiastic<\/p>\n

References Available Upon Request<\/strong>
\nAll this phrase really does is take up valuable space. If a\u00a0company wants to hire you<\/a>, they will ask you for references-and they will assume that you have them. There’s no need to address the obvious (and doing so might even make you look a little presumptuous!). Use the space to give more details about your talents and accomplishments instead.<\/p>\n

In a crummy job market with a record number of people applying for the same positions, it takes more than a list of desirable-sounding qualities to warrant an interview. Specific examples pack a punch, whereas anything too dependent on a\u00a0list of buzzwords<\/a> will sound just like everyone else’s cookie-cutter resume. So, give your resume a good once-over, and make sure every word on that page is working hard for you.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on The Daily Muse<\/a>. For more advice on nailing the job search, check out:<\/em><\/p>\n