Résumé Help: 90% Fluff, 10% Substance
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If a résumé profile contains a lot of fluff, it will distract the reader from the candidate’s real message. In the case of today’s résumé, if we delete the fluff, we have very little left. The first step in repairing this résumé is to cut the clichés, unnecessary adjectives, and under-valued information. “Proven track record of success” is one of the clichés that recruiters dread reading. Unnecessary adjectives include
“exceptional,” “consistent,” and “genuine.” “Genuine team player?” As opposed to someone posing as a team player? Under-valued information may be in the form of characteristics that are expected, such as “proactive” and “performance-driven.” Because they are expected, you don’t need to call them out in the first line of your résumé. It falls in the same category as punctual.
You may think that I am being rather harsh on this candidate. I am critical because I know the recruiters and hiring managers will be even more critical. The good news is that when the candidate removes the fluff, we have room to add compelling and relevant information to demonstrate the candidate’s unique values.
If you would like to read more helpful hints about résumé writing, check out these links:
Résumé Help: Creating a Compelling Profile
Résumé Help: Structure Is the First Step
Résumé Help: Clean Up Your Résumé
If you would like a résumé critique, please contact Debra Wheatman at debra@careersdonewrite.com or visit us at http://careersdonewrite.com. The Résumé Help blog appears weekly on Mondays.