Résumé Help: Skip the Rudimentary Skills
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Today’s candidate, Madison, is a manager with more than 15 years of experience directing teams and leading national initiatives. Before I got to know Madison personally, I read her résumé. It does not depict her accomplishments or the special skills she offers her target employer. Because her issue is so common, we’re reviewing part of her résumé today.
There are simple baseline skills than an employer expects in any professional. Many of the skills that Madison showcase in the five bullet points are skills that are not worth mentioning. That space would be better filled with higher-level information employers are seeking. For example, “Develop effective relationships at all levels of the organization and industry.” Does this sound like a top-five item to share? Isn’t this statement more compelling? “Partnered with C-level executives of financial services companies to develop national auto loan products.” This statement also includes potential key words (financial services and auto loan products) while making the statement more concrete. It sounds less like something from a template that could apply to thousands of candidates.
After we strike the elementary skills from her management skills summary, we need to take aim at the clichés. Madison is articulate and imaginative. She’s designed successful business development campaigns. Yet these phrases make her seem dull and unoriginal. Here are examples of phrases to avoid when writing your résumé: “results-oriented,” “positive attitude,” and “team player.”
Then we have the uninspired fluff language that really does not add anything. Here are examples of this fluffy filler that is needlessly taking up space: “empower and hold others accountable to achieve goals,” “high energy and personal drive,” “create and model an environment of open communication, trust, respect, and fairness.” These are examples of the rudimentary tasks expected to be performed by any manager.
The take-away from Madison’s résumé snippet is that she deserves better than this. It is important
that she dig deeper and show the reader who she really is and what special skills she offers. We know the job description and characteristics of an average manager. We want to know what makes Madison the best person for the job!
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