There is so much information available to you on the internet outlining what to write and what exactly recruiters are looking for, but you will quickly notice that there is also a plethora of contradicting opinions, about - well, just about everything. From formatting to content, it seems that there are mixed ideas about what a resume consists of.
So where do you start? Read on to find out more.
The goal of your resume
Think about it, you are constructing a resume to get your foot in the door. This document is the first thing that your manager will see of you, so it’s imperative that you stand out. You need to accurately and precisely tell the hiring manager your experience and the skills that you gained from that job that will help you in the role you are applying for. At the same time, you want to express your character and personality - especially if you don’t have a lot of practical experience. This often leads people to *with good intention* reach for buzzwords.
Buzzwords
Popular buzzwords typically consist of traits that every employer is looking for. Hence, it is not generally the words themselves that are the issue but how they are used. Frequently overdone and not backed up with concrete examples, these words appear on almost every resume in an attempt to sound competent. Some buzzwords to avoid are:
- Loyal
- Energetic
- Punctual
- Enthusiastic
- A people person
It’s not enough to say that you are highly motivated. To really convey your skills to an employer you need to use words that demonstrate how you embody these traits in both your personal and professional life. Without evidence, buzzwords become merely another word on a piece of paper that a thousand other people have also written down, belittling its value.
What to write instead
It's important to show that you have a particular quality, rather than just listing it out. For example, what have you done at work that shows you are a team player?
To demonstrate loyalty, you could emphasise the length of time you have spent at an organisation, or to show you are innovative, you could give an example of an idea you implemented that positively improved a workplace practice.
Use powerful action verbs to really make a statement and clearly outline your skills. For example:
- Achieved (I achieved all my KPI’s for three months straight)
- Developed (I developed a new method for rostering to help employees manage their work life balance)
- Managed (I managed an event that exceeded its sales targets)
- Initiated (I initiated a social club to build team culture and morale)
These words excite the reader and take them on a journey. Using these keywords will capture your audience's attention and will help you to outline your skills and abilities in a practical sense. You don’t have to use experience from workplaces, if you are applying for your first job, pull experience from sports, volunteering or even school clubs to highlight your skills.
Elevate your resume and sky-rocket your chance of getting through to the next stage of a hiring process by eliminating buzzwords and showcasing your abilities.