You probably know that resume standards have changed significantly over the years. In the past, job seekers scraped together some vague personal attributes (“reliable, dedicated team player”) and typed up a one-page list for employers to read during interviews. The documents were unimpressive. Bland. Monotonous facts that presented nothing more than the names of companies, job titles and dates.
Today’s resumes don’t sit back and wait for things to happen. They take action. Instead of rattling off tedious bits of information, they use clean, professional formatting and intriguing language to attract the interest of potential employers. High-impact words and phrases push beyond traditional resume boundaries — ever so slightly — without going over the top.
Yes, resumes have completely transformed through the decades, but many job hunters lagged behind. Rather than producing original marketing documents that stand out from hordes of other job-seeking professionals, these individuals jot down lackluster lists of attributes and job titles without any hints of achievements or examples. Their resumes take no action. They inspire no response.
If your resume uses ordinary language or old-fashioned phrasing, you could be striking down your chances for some great job opportunities. Luckily, a little change goes a long way. You can easily update your resume by identifying tired, overused words and phrases and removing them from your document. Check out these examples:
Team player
As a long-time resume writer, I believe that the phrase “team player” should be eradicated from the English language. At the very least, it should be stripped out of every resume ever written. This outdated phrase takes up space without adding a spark of information or value to the document. Toss it away.
If you thrive in a team environment, say so. Use compelling language and real examples from your experience to boost the impact. Like this: “Collaborated with five team members in tackling an unexpected computer glitch. Solved the problem in an afternoon and saved the company more than $100K in downtime and repair costs.”
Self motivated
Every employer wants workers who are motivated to overcome obstacles, inspire colleagues and achieve company goals. Enthusiasm adds energy to the workplace, which often leads to tangible, financial improvements.
But anyone can say (or write) that they are motivated, dedicated or hard working. The words by themselves mean nothing. This is why it’s important to kick some action into them with an example from your background, like this: “Volunteered after business hours to cross-train in two additional departments. The effort fueled productivity and decreased staff shortages during peak times.”
Results driven
This phrase has become popular “resume speak” in recent years. But again, it means absolutely nothing without an intriguing description from your career history. Instead of telling employers that you are passionate about results, show them. Like this: “Provided first-hand assistance to the sales team, which delivered immediate and lasting results. Contributed to 10% revenue growth (an increase of $25K) and 15% rise in customer satisfaction.”
If you’re lagging behind the times, it’s time to think of your resume as a marketing tool. Remember: Every word and phrase has the potential to help you land a new job. Review your document. Locate old-fashioned, useless words and transform each one into a powerful statement that adds impact to your presentation.
Send your questions to Eve.GetaJob@gmail.com.
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