A hiring manager may spend only a few seconds looking at your resume, so it’s important to make sure you’ve got something that stands out right away!
Don’t use these 10 words on your resume
Read more: The #1 resume lie that could cost you a new job
The folks at LinkedIn, a social network and service for professionals, put together a list of the most overused words in LinkedIn profiles, which are very similar to resumes.
Here are the 10 words that LinkedIn says you’ll want to avoid if you’re looking for a new job in 2017:
- Specialized
- Leadership
- Passionate
- Strategic
- Experienced
- Focused
- Expert
- Certified
- Creative
- Excellent
An expert told LinkedIn that people tend to insert these generic buzzwords into their profiles or resumes because they require little effort, avoid detail and are widely used by peers.
Instead, make your profile or resume shine by highlighting specific professional achievements.
Hiring managers prefer this resume format
When it comes to your resume, a survey from the staffing service Accountemps found that three out of four bosses prefer a chronological resume with the most recent work history first.
“Chronological resumes allow job seekers to present their career progression to prospective employers in a straightforward, easy-to-follow way,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. “Functional resumes, which emphasize skill sets rather than jobs held, are popular among professionals in career transition or who have had lengthy gaps in employment, but they are not a favorite of employers. It is often better to address a career challenge directly than try to write around it.”
In the YouTube video below, career expert Nicole Williams says another way to think about the chronological resume is as a traditional resume.
She offered two additional tips to create the best resume possible:
- Ensure that you’re only listing work experience and skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for
- Highlight how you’ve created results instead of simply listing day-to-day tasks
Lying on a resume is NOT worth the risk!
But what if you don’t have the perfect resume? Don’t lie. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 77% of human resources managers reported discovering a lie on a resume.
Instead, always be truthful and follow these tips from Accountemps:
- Employment gaps: Briefly explain any employment gaps in your cover letter
- Limited work history: Bolster work experience through internships, part-time work, temporary assignments and volunteer work
- Career change: Highlight your transferable accomplishments and skills
If you’d like more resume tips, read our 9 keys to online resume success, which will help you get your resume past the robots and onto the desks of the right people.
Read more: 12 steps to a better resume in 2017
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