Will These 10 Phrases Really Kill Your Resume?
I came across an article written by Liz Ryan, 10 Boilerplate Phrases That Kill Resumes.
This is Liz’s list of 10 phrases that kill resumes
* Results-oriented professional
* Cross-functional teams
* More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience
* Superior (or excellent) communication skills
* Strong work ethic
* Met or exceeded expectations
* Proven track record of success
* Works well with all levels of staff
* Team player
* Bottom-line orientation
When I first read Liz’s article a few days ago, I was very surprised. As a resume writer I am guilty of using some of the ten deadly phrases. When I have used them, I make sure my client can back it up.
If you are a result-oriented professional, then it would be important to show the reader how you produced results. Telling does not make the cut; you have to “show and tell”.
It is always better to be creative when writing a resume, especially in today’s competitive job market. Having a resume that sounds like everyone else will not put you above your competitors. It would not hurt to avoid as many commonly used resume phrases. Purchase a Thesaurus; this is a good tool when expanding your vocabulary.
What do you think? Do you believe these 10 phrases will kill the resume?
Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
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Career Directors International
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Honestly, it is the resume as a whole that either works or does not. If your areas of expertise include excellent communication skills or if you are a results oriented professional go ahead and say it. What really handicaps your resume is misuse of words like making a title: TRANSITIONAL SKILLS instead of TRANSFERABLE SKILLS in a transition resume. Another common way to cripple your resume is to not make it clear which position you are targeting. This is serious, suppose the Department Manager or HR Manager is hiring for 25 different positions.
The best thing you can do for your resume is of course to hire a professional to write it. Face it, resume writing is a highly specialized skill. Most of us pay a barber or hair stylist to cut our hair for the sole purpose of making a good first impression. So why on earth would you want to have a dull work history for a resume?
Comment by Darrell DiZoglio — July 13, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
Thank you Darrell,
You have added some good additional points. A target resume is the way to go.
Giselle
Comment by Administrator — July 13, 2009 @ 10:44 pm