Ten BAD resume words ... and more

Ten words that should not be used in a resume, I think the reasons WHY are obvious. I think there are other times they should be excluded also. I picked this up off the Internet and have edited some of their content.

10. Dynamic - According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its primary meaning is “of or pertaining to force producing motion: often opposed to static.” So by using this word, you have literally told your potential employer that you are adept at not being stationary. You are the type of person who does things and moves from place to place.


9. Communication Skills

8. Problem Solving. Both of these guarantee nothing more than the person not being paralyzed by the prospect of a conversation or an empty stapler.

7. Innovative

6. Motivated —Innovative and Motivated,  two more generic adjectives suggesting attributes that an employer would probably like to take for granted.

5. Track Record. Note that it is not specified whether this track record is good or bad.

4. Extensive experience.

3. Effective, a promise that when you are being dynamic, you’re really making the most of it.

2. Organizational — which may be important if you are, say, applying to be an accountant. But in most cases, it is not the most striking skill to be championing — it’s like saying one is punctual or has neat handwriting.

1. Creative. This attribute, like many of the others, is one that is better shown than told.

Sell the SIZZLE, not the STEAK

I have been involved in creating and consulting on resumes for many years. My first exposure was working part-time for an Employment Agency in Dayton, Ohio while I was in high school. I was exposed to writing resumes there, and had some great teachers who had been in the business for many years.

Later, I did some resume writing while in the Navy. During the time I was in, '52 to '56, many "old timers" were getting out. They had been in during WWII and did not like the "new Navy" as they called it. Later on, I was with an employment agancy and was heavily involved in writing resumes for a variety of applicants.

My point, resume format has not changed in all those years. A resume is an AD for a person, and must have format and content to "whet" the appitite of the reader in a very short period of time, 20 seconds to a minute, the outcome being, an interview.

It is the "sizzle" that catches the eye of the reader, not the steak.

I have been in the process of writing an EBook for some time now, and hope to have it completed soon. It will be available from a number of sources, primarily my WEBSITE.

I have been asked by a number of people in the past to recommend a source for A. A good Resume and B. Good exposure to the market. I have always recommended THIS SITE. I have always found them very "up front" and they deliver what they advertise.

I also have had a blog THE RESUME WORKS and periodically post information on the blog. Much of it is material I have accumulated over the years.

If you have any questions, or need advice on writing a resume, EMAIL me.

Sizzle sells!

Resume Writing .... looking for a job

Been a lot on TV lately about job hunting, resumes, etc., I wrote many during my time in the printing industry, and an employment agency years ago. My theory on resumes:

Name at the top, prominently.

Right under that, JOB OBJECTIVE. Make it specific and to the point. When they see it, they really don't care what your name is. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? If they need someone like that, they read on, and the next thing is your EDUCATION. Can you back up what you are looking for, with the education they want.

Follow the trail. Depending on the size of the company, Mail room, Personnel Department, Specific Department.

In the mail room, a clerk or a secretary will see it first. Put yourself in their shoes. Name means nothing. OBJECTIVE ....... they read this, and know where to send the resume. Same response from the Personnel Department only they are somewhat more educated, but from the OBJECTIVE they will know where to send the resume.

Don't make the objective broad or wordy, brief and to the point. We used to use a lot of flowery phrases, "with a company that recognizes and rewards proven ability." Blowing a lot of smoke, so to speak, and it was effective then, but I think not as fruitful anymore.

So now they know your name and what you are looking for and hopefully your resume has gotten to a department who speaks your language. i.e. Bill Smith looking for a position in the drafting department, and you are now being scrutinized by the Head of the Drafting Department.

Now, EDUCATION, have you prepared yourself to be a Draftsman, education wise. If so, he moves on.

Your EDUCATION has to back up your OBJECTIVE.

EXPERIENCE, has your word related experience been in drafting? If so, he is still interested and moves on.

He has 50 resumes, draftsmen, basically the same education and experience, flip a coin, or which resume rises to the top of the list.

After EXPERIENCE comes, on resumes, what I think can be the tie-breaker. If you have gotten this far, they are interested .....now ...... the clincher part.

PERSONAL .... a paragraph and what we are going to sell here is SIZZLE. We've promoted the steak, name, objective, education, experience, now, the things that make YOU STAND OUT. Visualize that many are looking for the same job you are, they have the same education and the same experience ..... now, what makes YOU stand out. Things that YOU did ..... THE SIZZLE.

President of your class, involved in the community while in school, captained the football team, developed this, designed that .... the thing or things that YOU DID that others didn't. SELL THE SIZZLE, it makes YOU stand out, from all those others looking for the same job.

All you want that resume to do is get YOU an INTERVIEW, so you have to make them want to see more, talk with you, like cream, rise to the top.

Things like, payed all of my college tuition, cub scout leader, volunteered at a senior citizens home, WORKED MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE, (they love that).

I got a guy a job onetime, DEGREE REQUIRED, large company, nice pay, because he had been working on his degree, driving 30 miles to school, and back, married with 3 children, and he had been working to get his degree for five years.

They read that, hired him, and gave him an excellent job.

I have been asked to write an E-Book on this subject, and in the process of wrapping it up now. It goes in to more detail than this BLOG

MY LIBRARY