Contrary to popular belief, hiring managers don't read every resume they receive in detail. Instead, they take a few seconds to scan each resume and determine if the applicant might be a good fit. This is why using the right resume words is so important for job seekers. If you still use outdated buzzwords, follow these resume tips to ensure your resume captures the attention of hiring managers.
Most people use the resume words "responsible for" somewhere in their application documents. These two words are a waste of space because they don't tell hiring managers about your professional achievements. If you use these resume words, you probably follow them with a laundry list of duties. Instead of listing your duties, you should be telling hiring managers what you have accomplished. If you saved your company thousands of dollars or developed a new system that improved efficiency by 25 percent, list those achievements instead of outlining your responsibilities.
"Good" is another commonly used resume word that doesn't really say anything about you as a professional. Hiring managers are usually looking for outstanding candidates, not applicants who consider themselves just good enough to fill open positions. Instead of using weak resume words like "good" and "great," provide information about projects you've managed or teams you've led to prove you have what it takes to succeed in a competitive industry.
Even if you consider yourself to be a "transformational leader," delete the phrase from your resume. This is one of those resume words that doesn't really say anything about your worth as an applicant. If you really are a transformational leader, explain how you identified necessary changes, created a vision to help implement those changes and executed the vision with good results.
Many applicants use specific resume words to describe their proficiency with technology. Unfortunately, including outdated buzzwords can actually hurt you. Don't be tempted to list Microsoft Office as one of your skills. Employers expect applicants to have basic computer skills, so listing this software doesn't really distinguish you from other candidates. Instead, talk about your experience building a software program from scratch or using macros to improve efficiency.
When you write a resume, you only have one or two pages to convince a hiring manager to interview you. Don't waste valuable space by including the phrase "References available upon request." Employers assume you will provide references if you make it to the interview stage of the hiring process, so including this phrase does nothing to help you.
If you are concerned about how your resume is perceived by hiring managers, follow these resume tips to enhance your chances of getting more favorable responses. Instead of using resume words that don't tell hiring managers about your professional achievements, fill your resume with information that sets you apart from other applicants and can help you land a rewarding job in your industry.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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