Free Resume Builder

Surprising Things NOT to Include In Your Resume

You know that your resume needs to provide a clear, concise catalogue of your accomplishments. And you know that under no circumstances should a professional resume contain a stray comma or misspelled word. But there are a few common resume errors that may come as a surprise, even to veteran job seekers. Make sure your resume is free of these clumsy moves and outdated strategies before you click send.

Resume Blunders: If Your Resume Contains Any of These, It's Time for an Edit

1. An "Objective" Section

Years ago, every resume began with astatement at the top that stated the job seeker's goals and intentions. This section often featured phrases like "seeking meaningful employment in the healthcare field" or "looking for an IT position with room for growth". Instead of stating your objectives, simply summarize the contents of your resume in a short paragraph. Employers can use this to get a sense of who you are and remember you as they sort through dozens of resumes that tend to blur together.

2. "Lost in Translation" Accomplishments

Make sure your accomplishments are clear. All employers understand concepts like awards, revenue increases, and expansion into new markets. But if your resume contains a statement like "established new sectors in the b-level module", rephrase this so someone outside of your former company can understand.

3. Buzzwords

Skip empty terms like "highly-motivated", "team player", "results-driven" and "performance-oriented." Since these apply equally well to anyone, they don't impress potential employers at all.

4. Too Much Personality

Don't joke, be playful, or use irony in your resume. Skip high volume language and drop the exclamation points. Showcase your personality in your cover letter if you must, but keep your resume efficient and straightforward.

Need additional guidance? The experts at FreeResumeBuilder.org can help. Contact us today.