If you are preparing your resume for a job application, take a while to think like a recruiter. When you have hundreds of resumes to go through every day, you definitely tend to get bored with the same pattern of resumes. So, ask yourself what is it that you would like to see on a resume to make it noticeable? What is it that would make your resume stand out in the crowd and make you selected? No recruiter has the time to read each and every word in the resume. The recruiter looks for those sections and words that would prove your credibility, that would showcase your skills and direct them to the reason to hire you. So, let’s discuss a few of the probable resume clichés that should be avoided in order to grab the recruiter’s attention.
Avoid using unnecessary adjectives:
People tend to write unnecessary adjectives in their resume, without following them with a proper explanation. Describing words like “Good team player”, “Influential and motivational leader” etc. do not add much of a value to your resume. Instead, replace these words with a qualitative description of the tenure of your work experience, type of work you have done in the previous organizations if applicable, your technical skills related to the job, your earlier achievements and accomplishments.
Make a point to add an aesthetic value to your resume. Use Visual highlights on the above-mentioned points to make your claims look stronger and your resume look focused.
Be clear about you “Objective”:
The objective section in your resume might not always be appreciated. Understand the need for this section and then use it when and where applicable. Basically, to be crisp and direct, every recruiter reading your resume knows the fact that your objective is to get the job you are applying for. So, to make your point clear, you can write your background and what you have to offer to the organization. However, if you lack experience and are applying as a fresher, this section can be stressed on, to understand the applicant’s mindset and the position he wants to achieve. Avoid using terms like “Result –oriented person” or “Creative person”:
Every employer wants its employees to drive results. So, instead of being vague with just typing “result oriented person” in your resume, place a subjective description of your previous experience, your skill sets, projects you have worked on, campaigns that you have joined, followed by the results achieved in each of them. Give a brief description of each project and how you successfully handled it. Similarly, if you tend to write yourself as a “creative person”, support the statement with the evidence of your creativity.
Avoid mentioning your “communication skill”:
People have the habit of filling up their resume with phrases like “Proficient with MS office” or “have an excellent communication skill”. Avoid them. Your communication skill can be judged within minutes, once you are called for an interview. Your resume need not hold a visual pledge to that. Again if you are preparing a resume and sending it across over an email that proves that you know MS word and the basics of a computer.
Remember, your resume is your stepping stone towards the job. So, make it worthwhile. Avoid the above clichés. After you are done preparing your resume for a job application, do a proofreading to ensure there is no spelling or grammar error. Lastly, add a cover letter to it, to make your resume even more attractive to the recruiters.
