Resume dos and don’ts

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3 Ways Your Resume Makes You Look Old

3 Ways Your Resume Makes You Look Old

For a variety of reasons, baby boomers are staying in the workforce a lot longer. However, this demographic faces a number of challenges, including experience discrimination, an issue where baby boomers struggle to get employment opportunities because millennials have enough relevant experience to be just as valuable, but at less of a cost.

Because the pool of baby boomer employees has grown so significantly, employers are starting to change their views on the 65 and up demographic, and are at least giving them a closer look. Just because you are of a certain age doesn't mean your resume should reflect that age!

One of the keys to staying attractive to potential employers is to not look or act out of date—in person or on paper. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't use a photo on your LinkedIn profile. Profiles without pictures only make recruiters and potential employers wonder what you may be hiding. And the truth is they are going to meet you during the interview process. So there's no reason to hide.

Still, there are many ways you can date yourself without realizing it. Here are three ways your resume can make you look old.

Having An Objective Statement


Older man on laptop updates his resume so it doesn't make him look old

Over the years, styles change. You wouldn't wear the same suit you wore 20 years ago. Unless you're a collector, the car you're driving looks a lot different too. The same is true for resumes. Having an objective statement on top of the resume used to be all the rage! They were used to let employers know that a candidate had some career direction.

Today, having an objective statement on your resume makes it seem obsolete. Maybe even worse than being outdated, an objective statement implies that your focus is on you.

Big mistake.

Like most of us, employers are listening to station WIIFM (what's in it for me?). They want to know how you can solve their problems. Removing your objective statement and creating a succinct experience summary (a list of skills at the top of your resume) updates your resume and puts the focus on what you can do for the employer.

Having An Old-Fashioned Email Address


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Back in the 90s, having an AOL email address indicated that you were ahead of the curve, an early adopter of new technology. That was last century. Today having an AOL email address, even a Yahoo email address, makes you look decidedly outdated.

The trendy email address to have today is Gmail. The good news is that Gmail is free and easy to join. No need to eliminate that old AOL email address—use it to keep up with friends and family.

When you do create a new email address, opt for one that sounds professional. For example, your name or a variation of your name that will look appropriate on your resume. Cutesy email addresses like talketome@ or carguy@ are best kept for personal use.

Too Many Clichés


One thing that's sure not to impress potential employers is a resume filled with clichés. Every day recruiters get resumes from out-of-the-box thinkers and team players. Tired phrases like detail-oriented or excellent communication skills are not likely to impress anyone either. Neither are bullets that begin with responsible for or duties included.

You're much more likely to get a recruiter's attention by including examples that actually show what you can do. That means a resume that highlights your skills and achievements. A resume that illustrates how you saved time, saved money, generated income, etc. for a previous employer.

Will making these changes make you look 20 years younger? Not likely. Nor should you want them to, particularly if you are looking for a more senior position. But they will keep your resume looking fresh and up to date.

Remember: Your resume may be the first time a potential employer meets you. Shouldn't it reflect someone who's on top of their game, who's still relevant and in demand in their industry?

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3 Ways Your Resume Makes You Look …



There are a lot of things job seekers add to their resumes that they don't actually need. In some cases, these things hurt a job seeker's chances of landing an interview.

If you're asking yourself, "Do I need these things on my resume?" take a look at the things job seekers should and should not include on their resumes.

1. Add An Experience Summary Instead Of An Objective Statement


An objective or mission statement used to be the right header for your resume. Today, it's obsolete.

Instead, utilize an experience summary. This is a list of your skills and requirements that are needed for a certain job. They're hard skills and transferrable skills, and they will help optimize your resume with keywords so it can get past the ATS.

Once it does that, it will be in the hands of the hiring manager, and they'll be impressed by your qualifications at first glance. It will also compel them to continue reading further about your successes and job history.

2. Leave Off The References


Man looks at his resume while applying for a job on his laptop

References should not be included on a resume. If a job posting requires you to submit a few references, create a separate document and add them in there instead. Then, attach your resume and references (saved as separate documents) to the job application or attach them to an email to the hiring manager.

In the hiring process, references are important. But how you distribute those references matters more than you think.

3. Ditch The Unprofessional Personal Email Address


Woman on laptop adds a few things to her resume

Having a professional image and a great personal brand isn't just about your social media accounts. Your email address should be professional as well and easy to comprehend.

Consider creating a separate email account for job-hunting purposes. You will find it easier to track the applications you've sent and any potential leads and lessen the risk of accidentally deleting emails you've misread as junk mail.

4. Include Measurable Goals And Achievements


Man on laptop writes his resume before looking for a job

Your resume must contain quantifiable work experience and accomplishments that support the very skill sets you state you possess. Without them, you are simply providing opinions with no facts to back them up.

If you are great at driving explosive business growth or saving companies money, make sure that your resume contains monetary amounts, figures, or other numbers to display those skills. A good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure every bullet point contains at least one number. If you can't quantify it, it doesn't belong on your resume.

When crafting your resume, consider these four important tips. Remember, you have less than 10 seconds to get the hiring manager's attention. Make your resume worth those few seconds.

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True Or False: Do I Need These …

6 Tips To Make Your Resume Better Than The Rest



Recruiters look at dozens of resumes a day. If they see something they don't like, your resume could wind up in the “no" pile in just seconds.

Here are a few tips you should follow to make your resume better than the rest, standing out from all that competition!

1. Make Sure Your Resume Is Error-Free


We know that sounds like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised by the number of resumes that have a spacing issue, a punctuation error, or even a misspelling. The problem is that you have looked at your resume so many times, your brain knows what it is supposed to say, but in reality, it says something else.

Get several people to proofread your resume, and have them read it for different purposes. One person should read for grammar, for example, and another should read for punctuation and spelling. You cannot afford to send a resume to employers with mistakes. Any superficial error can severely hurt your chances of getting a call for that job.

2. Align Your Resume With The Description Of The Job You're Applying For


Hiring manager asks about a job applicant's resume in an interview

Too often people think that their resume is a "one-and-done" proposition. Not so! You should customize your resume for every job each time you apply.

Match up keywords from the job description with keywords in your resume. Make sure that your achievements and successes indicate that you are an excellent candidate for the job you're applying for. You need to tweak your resume for every single job posting. There are no exceptions.

3. Make Your Resume Sleek


Woman reviews a resume

Some people think the trick to a great resume is to stuff as many accomplishments into it as possible by using tiny font and stretching the margins to the limit. The result is a resume that is difficult to read and looks cluttered and clunky. Those resumes will wind up in the "no" pile because the hiring manager doesn't care enough to search the document for truly relevant information. They also don't have time to waste when there are dozens of other resumes to review.

Your resume should have a clean and contemporary look and feel. Use lots of white space and be as concise as possible. Also, use clean-looking fonts like Calibri or Arial.

4. Use Keywords Strategically


Woman on laptop works on her resume

Check the job description carefully for each position you're applying for. Then, use keywords in your resume that match the keywords in the job description. Also, you may find it helpful to use free word cloud tools to identify the keywords that are used most frequently in the job description. Adding those keywords to your resume will make it easier for your resume to get past the ATS.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for individuals who are a good match for their job openings. Don't make them guess whether or not you have the required skills or experience. Your resume should get them curious to know more about your qualifications. At the end of the day, the goal of your resume is to get the employer to call you. It won't be the thing that gets you the job, but it will be what gets you an interview.

5. Describe Accomplishments, Not Responsibilities


Man on laptop looks for a job while writing his resume

Avoid using the word "responsible" in your resume. Instead, concentrate on specific and quantifiable accomplishments. For example, which sounds more impressive:

  • Responsible for manufacturing production with proven record of exceeding expectations.
  • Managed 5 different teams over the course of 10+ years resulting in $50 million in new sales along with a 30% reduction in waste.
If you said the second bullet point, you picked the right one. That's what hiring managers are looking for on a resume.

6. Use "Power" Words


Hiring managers discuss a job candidate's resume during an interview

Demonstrate that you are a person of action. Rather than being "responsible for" something, use words like "advised," "led," "launched," "executed," "generated," "planned," "produced," etc. These powerful resume words (and others like them) demonstrate your ability to perform on the job and your specific role in previous jobs. Strong action words validate your capabilities and specific duties you have performed.

Consider which is better:

  • Responsible for launch of a new product.
  • Initiated and led new product-launch that resulted in $20 million in revenue.
Don't forget that your resume represents who you are and what you can do when you can't be there in person to explain all of that to a recruiter or hiring manager. Your resume is just one of hundreds that fly into a company on any given day. You need to stand out from the crowd, and it is your responsibility to make that happen. By following the tips above, you'll be sure to create a resume that's better than the rest.

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6 Tips To Make Your Resume Better …



When you're looking for a new job, your resume is your calling card. It's often the first time a potential employer gets to meet you. Obviously, you want to make a good first impression. This means you don't want a resume that leaves potential employers shaking their heads.

When most people think of mistakes, they think of misspelled words, poor formatting, and typos. These things are easy to avoid by proofreading your documents thoroughly. But there are other resume mistakes that you probably don't realize you're making. These mistakes can look pretty careless, but they are easy to fix if you spot them before it's too late.

Here are three of the biggest resume mistakes:

Inconsistencies


The first thing a recruiter is likely to do after receiving your resume is to check you out on LinkedIn. This is often when inconsistencies crop up because the information on your resume might not match the information on your LinkedIn profile. This is not to say that your resume and LinkedIn profile should be mirror images. But they should match when it comes to current and past employers, job titles, and dates of employment.

Unfortunately, when candidates prepare a resume they often "lump" all their work at an employer under their current (and likely most prestigious) title. This is bad for two reasons. First, it fails to show career advancement. Second, it makes employers wonder what other inaccuracies they may find.

Incomplete Contact Information


Man on laptop finds contact information to put on his resume

This may seem like a no-brainer, but some people are so focused on the meat of their resume that they forget to include their contact info. When you're looking for a job, it's important to make it easy for interested parties to contact you. Some recruiters prefer to contact candidates via email. Others would rather just call.

Of course, if they really want to contact you it's not impossible to find your phone number or email address. But why would you want to make a potential employer jump through hoops? Be respectful of the preferred communication styles of others by providing complete contact information. While you're at it, put your LinkedIn URL on your resume, too.

Irrelevant Information


Woman reads her resume on her laptop

Resumes that highlight outside activities that directly contradict a candidate's job aspirations are just a waste of valuable space! Think an accountant with a side business designing jewelry. Or resumes that include sports activities, like being on the soccer team, when the candidate graduated 15 years ago. While you're at it, unless you graduated in the last five years, there's no reason to include graduation dates or your GPA.

Besides being irrelevant, including a few lines about leading your college team to victory (unless you're a recent grad) takes up valuable space that could be used to focus on your skills and achievements—things employers actually care about!

Your resume needs to make a good first impression, one that will make a recruiter or hiring manager want to learn more and possibly contact you for an interview. Don't waste space with irrelevant information. Don't confuse them with inconsistencies or make them go into detective mode to find you. Begin your relationship with a potential employer as the candidate to beat.

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3 BIG Resume Mistakes (That Are Easy …



You've been applying for jobs every day, but you feel stuck. Your job search isn't going anywhere. You submit job applications but never hear back from employers. Why aren't you getting interviews? What are you doing wrong? Is it your resume?

Chances are, your resume is to blame.

It's very easy for job seekers to make common mistakes on their resume, unknowingly making it harder for them to get their job application in front of the hiring manager. Can your resume get past the ATS? Will your resume stand out to hiring managers in those first few seconds?

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent your resume from getting tossed. Here are three reasons why your resume isn't working, and how to fix them:

1. You Don't Have Enough Keywords


Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort through all of the resumes they receive for their job postings. One of the ways they determine which job candidates are qualified for a specific job is by looking at the keywords they've included on their resume.

How many keywords on your resume match the keywords in the job description? If you don't have enough of the right keywords on your resume, you'll get screened out of the hiring process by the ATS. This means your resume will get tossed without it ever crossing the hiring manager's desk.

If you're not getting contacted by employers, not having enough keywords (or the right keywords) on your resume could be the reason why.

The Solution: Include keywords from the job description on your resume. What skills, technologies, and experience are employers looking for? How many of these skills do you possess? Are you familiar with any of the technologies/software you'd be using on the job? Do you have the right kind of experience?

Once you identify what you need for the position you want to apply for, make sure you customize your resume for that specific job so you give yourself the best possible chance to get past the ATS and impress hiring managers. List relevant skills in the top fold of your resume (avoid keyword stuffing) and be sure to use the terms mentioned in the job description on your resume, if applicable.

2. You're Using An Outdated Resume Format


Woman on laptop realizes her resume isn't working

Another reason why your resume might not be working is because you're using an outdated resume format. Similar to the first reason, your resume format could be preventing the ATS from effectively reviewing the information on your resume. But if your resume does get past the ATS with an outdated format, hiring managers could still take a look at your resume, see that it's outdated and hard to read, and then decide to toss your resume because you didn't make it easy for them to get the information they need about you.

With an outdated resume format, you also run the risk of looking old and out of touch, which won't help your case if you're already worried about age discrimination.

If your resume isn't easy to read and it doesn't stand out to hiring managers in the first few seconds it's getting reviewed, you won't get contacted. Employers simply won't be able to determine whether you're qualified for the job or not because you didn't make it easy for them to find that information.

The Solution: To ensure your resume gets past the ATS and stands out to hiring managers, use an updated resume format. Pay attention to how you're formatting each section of your resume and make sure the formatting is consistent throughout the document. Focus on using bullet points in your "Work History" section, delete lengthy paragraphs, and don't force your resume onto one page. This will help you make sure there's enough white space on your resume so it's easier to read.

When in doubt, a simple, clean resume format is the best option.

3. You Aren't Quantifying Your Work Experience


Woman on laptop frustrated and thinks that her resume isn't working

Let's assume you had enough keywords on your resume that it got past the ATS. Let's also assume you used an updated resume format. Now that your resume is in the hiring manager's hands, and all the information on it is easy to read, how are you standing out from the competition? Does your work experience prove that you'd be a valuable employee? What is the service you provide as a business-of-one? What is your specialty? Do you get results? What have you accomplished?

If you're not quantifying your work experience on your resume, you're going to have a harder time impressing hiring managers. Quantifiable information allows hiring managers to measure the degree of knowledge and skills you have to offer. It's a way to inform them about what and how much you can bring to the table.

The Solution: Learn how to quantify your work experience on your resume. Think about what you've accomplished in your career. Look at the bullet points in the "Work History" section of your resume and try to include at least one number for each.

Including numbers on your resume not only shows hiring managers what you can do, but they also help your resume stand out since numbers break up text and grab peoples' attention. If you can't quantify something, it doesn't belong on your resume.

As a job seeker, nothing is more frustrating than spending hours applying for jobs only to never hear back from employers. If your resume isn't working, it's probably due to one (or more) of the reasons above. Follow our tips so you can avoid these resume mistakes and finally land the job you want!

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3 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Working



Even executives who've had several years of experience in a profession can find it hard to secure a new job. The problem clearly isn't lack of experience, but rather understanding how to best position themselves on their resume so that employers will take notice of what they have to offer.

When you're a senior executive, there's typically no shortage of information to include on your resume—and that's where the problem lies. When there's no strategy for writing a resume, the end result is usually a mishmash of information that doesn't help employers understand exactly how and why you would fit their needs.

So, how can an executive write a resume that will stand out to employers?

The tips below will help you write a strategic and effective executive resume with ease.

Present Information That Aligns With The Employer's Needs


Employer/hiring manager reads an executive resume that aligns with their needs

When employers review your resume, they are looking to understand how you may fit into the role they are looking to fill and the organization. A resume that is written like an autobiography (everything from past to present with no filter on what information is appropriate to include) fails to provide customized information that shows you meet their needs.

What you need to do is highlight the specific experience and skills that align with their needs. In other words, you need to customize your resume for each job you apply for. You do that by carefully reviewing the job posting, understanding what the specific needs are, and then thinking about how you're proficient in those areas.

Utilize an executive headline and relevant skills (not an objective statement) at the top of your resume to present highlights of what you have to offer to meet the employer's needs.

Demonstrate How You Brought Improvement/Results To Your Previous Jobs


Employer reviews an executive resume with quantifiable accomplishments

While detailing roles and responsibilities at previous jobs under "Work History" can help improve keyword matches when the resume is run through the applicant tracking system (ATS), it needs to present other information once it gets in the hands of a human reviewer.

The human reviewer will be looking for information on how your actions on the job brought results. This requires you to quantify your accomplishments on your resume. When you write quantifiable results on your resume, it provides employers with a much better understanding of the type of experience and situations you've faced and what you're capable of achieving on the job.

Connect With The Employer


Those who are hired for the job are typically job candidates who've related well with the employer. They've shown how they fit in and share similar passions.

To help build that connection with the employer on the resume, indicate professional affiliations, volunteer work, and other aspects that may be outside of work that are relatable. For example, if you know the employer is heavily involved in community work helping pets in need and you've volunteered at an animal shelter, include a brief mention at the end of your resume to help build a stronger connection. Your professional affiliation with related fields and industry groups also helps demonstrate to the employer you share a passion in the same space as they do.

These are simple strategies to help improve your executive resume. The more you can tailor your information, the easier it is for employers to take notice of you and initiate follow-up action. Show employers you can meet their specific desires and needs and connect with them by showing you share similar passions!

Need more help with your executive resume?

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3 Tips For Improving Your Executive Resume

6 Tips To Make Your Resume Better Than The Rest



Sometimes the reason your resume gets dismissed by employers has nothing to do with your experience and skills. It simply could come down to having phrases that turn employers off.

On top of avoiding overused buzzwords on your resume like "creative," "innovative," "visionary," "team player," "motivated," "highly skilled," "hard worker," "passionate," and "driven"—that are really blank statements that don't demonstrate anything—you want to also avoid certain phrases on your resume at all costs.

Here are some of the top phrases to avoid on your resume:

"Job Duties"


"Job duties" essentially says to the employer that these are my responsibilities on the job. Well, that's fine if the only one you need to impress is the applicant tracking system (ATS) looking for matches in the job description.

The problem with including this phrase on your resume is it doesn't inform the hiring manager how well you perform on the job—and they ultimately have the final say as to whether your resume is a keeper or not.

A more effective phrase to use is "accomplishments" to describe your work experience. You want to inform the employer of what you did on the job and prove that what you did produced valuable results. You always need to quantify your accomplishments on your resume. The first step in quantifying your accomplishments on your resume is getting rid of the phrase "job duties."

"Transferable Skills"


Employer tossing resume with the phrase "transferable skills"

While professional resume writers speak of highlighting "transferable skills" on your resume when you're looking to make a career change or when you don't have the exact work experience the employer may be looking for, the specific term should be avoided on the resume.

When hiring managers and recruiters see "transferable skills" on a resume, it basically sends the message "I don't have the exact experience or hard skills you're looking for, but..."

A more effective phrase to use is "skills" or "skill set" or even "experience summary" (see below). It doesn't bring attention to the fact that you aren't a direct match with what they are looking for, but goes straight to the point of what you can offer that is of value to them.

"Objective Statement"


A hiring manager holds a resume with an objective statement

Traditionally, the objective statement takes a prime spot at the top of the resume detailing what you, the job seeker, are looking for—but that's no way to compete in today's job market. The opening of your resume needs to make a bold statement informing the employer what you can do for them.

Replace an objective statement with an experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 hard or transferable skills needed for the specific job you're applying for. It'll help you stand out to employers within seconds of them reviewing your resume.

"References Available Upon Request"


A hiring manager goes through job applications with outdated phrases you should never include on resumes

You can assume all employers will go through a reference check before they hire you. Including this phrase on your resume is simply a waste of space and makes your resume come across as outdated since it was common practice to include it at the end of the resume years ago before ATS changed the landscape of the job search process.

Today's job seekers need a well-polished resume to compete. Avoiding overused buzzwords and phrases that say nothing or that may imply something negative will help keep you in the running.

We know today's hiring managers get more applicants than needed for each job opening, so don't let bad phrases be the cause for them turning away your resume!

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4 Phrases You Should Never Have On …



It can be hard to ascertain if it's your resume, the job market, or who knows what else when you're job hunting and your phone just isn't ringing. Your mind begins to wander as you anxiously await an employer's call or email.

Many job seekers have contacted us and said, “I think it's my resume, but I'm not sure." After reviewing their documents, we find ourselves telling them, "Yes, it's your resume," 99% of the time. So, how do you know if it's really your resume or if it's something else?

Take a look at these six mistakes job seekers make on their resumes, and if one or more of them can be found on yours, that's probably why your resume isn't getting a response.

1. It Still Has An Objective Statement


An objective statement is a section of a resume that expresses your goal of securing a future position. What this statement fails to do, though, is substantiate your fit for the job opening—or articulate the value you offer to the employer should they choose you over another candidate.

Ditch the objective statement and utilize a personal branding statement and experience summary instead. An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you're applying for. They're hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills.

By having an objective statement on your resume, you're missing out on the opportunity to start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume, which is exactly the purpose of a personal branding statement and experience summary.

2. It Lacks Any Form Of Personal Branding


Hiring managers read a job applicant's resume during an interview

When employers read a resume, they need to see what attributes you bring to the position. It helps them differentiate between you and other viable candidates. Are you deadline-driven and customer-focused? These are important to employers and how they operate business. What is it that's important to the employer from whom you're seeking to obtain employment? And how do your expertise and experience correlate to their greatest need?

Personal branding is about how you market yourself to the potential employer. They have a need to fill, and you have to figure out how who you are and what you offer meet that need—then effectively communicate that to the employer. If you can't meet a need, then they won't see the value in choosing you over another candidate who does.

3. It's Fluffy


Job seeker on laptop works on his resume

Your career summary and work history are full of fluff and filler words that could apply to every job seeker on the market. Here's an example of what we mean:

Dynamic, results-focused IT specialist with broad-based expertise in project oversight, systems implementation, process improvements, and integrating cutting-edge technology that exceeds expectations. Proven ability to quickly analyze key business drivers and work directly with internal/external staff, leveraging a team-centered effort that increases profitability.

Sure, it might sound good, but it hasn't told us anything specific about who this candidate is, their experience/expertise, and what they offer the employer. It would be better to address how many projects the candidate has overseen, which processes they improved, the outcome of the improvement, and how the cutting-edge technology they integrated exceeded expectations. But just saying they exceed expectations is vague; tell us which expectations were exceeded and by how much.

4. Skills & Accomplishments Are Not Highlighted


Job candidate gets nervous when the hiring manager reads her resume during an interview

The top third of your resume is the most important section when the hiring manager is giving it his or her initial scan. This is your prime opportunity to market your skills and achievements. Remember the experience summary we mentioned above? That's where you'll write the skills you possess that are needed to succeed in this particular job.

Highlighting your skills in the experience summary will draw the hiring manager in and entice them to keep reading. Then, as their eyes move down your resume, they'll see all of your accomplishments underneath your work history. What career successes are you most proud of that correlate to the job you're applying for?

5. Duties And Responsibilities Have Taken Over


Woman on laptop revises her resume while job hunting

Bullet points that only share basic duties and responsibilities fall short every time. Maximize the space on your resume by using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result).

Talk about the challenges you faced, how you addressed them, and what the outcomes were. This makes the information contained within your resume much more impactful.

6. Metrics, Facts, And Figures Are Nowhere To Be Found


Hiring manager confused by the job candidate's resume during an interview

Give the employer something to remember you by. Don't just tell them you reduced costs. State a percentage or dollar amount. Manage projects or clients? Put a number to it. Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, and for how long? This is how you quantify your work experience on your resume. It's the secret to getting a call from an employer.

Asking yourself questions like the ones above leads to answers that help you define your successes, develop your personal brand, and market yourself more effectively to potential employers.

Review your resume with the six points above in mind. Ask yourself if your resume reflects any of the above. If it does, then use the tips and advice we've provided to correct the issues within your resume—and ultimately improve its response rate.

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6 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting …

10 Things To Remove From Your Resume



The average amount of time a recruiter or hiring manager will spend scanning your resume is seven seconds. That's why it's important to have just the right kind (and amount) of information on your resume.

The phrase “less is more" has often been used for design purposes, but it can apply just as well to your resume. The point is to only keep information on your resume that is clear, simple, and that supports your personal brand. It is a balance of having just enough information to draw the interest of an employer while leaving room for you to further explain during an interview.

The more irrelevant information you add to your resume, the more it dilutes your key message. Employers today also look right through fluff words and are rather annoyed by them.

So, how can you optimize your resume and make sure it contains the precise balance of information?

Try removing these 10 things from your resume today:

1. Replace The Objective Statement On Your Resume With An Experience Summary


Employers today are not that interested in what you want. You need to tell them what you can do for them. The most effective way to achieve this is by replacing your objective statement with an experience summary.

An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you're applying for. They're hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills. By removing that objective statement, you're able to clearly start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume.

2. Eliminate Superfluous Or “Fluff" Words


Man reviews his resume

We can't tell you how many resumes start with "Dynamic visionary…" We call these "fluff" statements because anyone can make them and they add no real value to your resume.

Keep your message on point and stick to the facts. If you want to express certain traits, demonstrate them with what you have achieved or accomplished. Quantify your work experience. Whatever you do, just avoid meaningless, baseless statements.

3. Edit Out Bad Grammar & Spelling Errors


Job applicant hands the hiring manager his resume

Spelling and grammar mistakes are a big turnoff for hiring managers. Triple check every headline and bullet point. Remove or reword any sentence that doesn't flow. Don't mix up tenses or third and first-person perspectives.

When in doubt, have a trusted friend or colleague review your resume. That way, you can be sure every spelling or grammar mistake is caught before you apply for a job.

4. List Your Primary Phone Number And Toss The Others 


Older woman removes outdated information from her resume

You want every section and piece of your resume to be simplified. Having multiple phone numbers right at the top of your resume makes it feel cluttered and disorganized even before you get to the experience section.

If you must list more than one number, make sure to specify under what conditions the other numbers should be used.

5. Remove Discriminating Information


Job seeker edits their resume

Avoid information that can lead one to discriminate against you, including age, sex, religion, marital status, and ethnicity. This includes the use of photos that should never be on a resume unless your face is an important part of your job (e.g., modeling, TV, etc.). In fact, some employers are forced to ignore your resume if it contains such information because of the chance that they may be accused of discrimination later in the process.

For seasoned professionals, age discrimination can be a very real thing. That's why you should follow these tips on what to remove from your resume. You want to optimize your resume, not submit an outdated one.

6. Throw Out Your GPA


Man edits his resume while looking for a job

You do not need to reveal your graduating year, the institution(s) you transferred out of, or the high school you attended. You should also remove your GPA if you've been out of school for a while or if the number just isn't impressive.

Keep information on your education specific to the degree received, the major completed, and the institution you attended.

7. Get Rid Of Any Irrelevant Information


Woman removes outdated and irrelevant information from her resume

Employers are not interested in achievements or abilities that are not applicable to the job. If you are in sales and you helped develop an Access database to track supplies, that's nice but not relevant.

Also, be cautious about listing your associations or volunteer work that is irrelevant or may be in conflict with the potential employer. You can find this information while conducting research on the company.

8. Remove Technical Skills For Basic Software Programs


Young woman removes information from her resume

Most employers today expect you to be familiar with basic computer programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So, don't waste valuable space on your resume listing them. It's more than okay to remove them from the document entirely.

When choosing which software programs and technologies to include on your resume, think about which ones will help you succeed in the job you're applying for. Which ones will make you stand out from the competition?

9. Do Not Include References Unless Requested


Job seeker reviews his resume

Employers expect you to offer references when requested, which is typically during the latter part of the interview process.

A big pet peeve of recruiters is seeing "References available upon request" on the resume. Do you really know anyone who would refuse to give references?

10. Cut Back On Lengthy Content 


Hiring manager reviews a job applicant's resume during an interview

If you are a recent graduate, most employers do not expect your resume to be more than one page. However, if you have had considerable professional experience, your resume should be two to three pages long. The notion all resumes should be one page is not true, especially in this job market. Resumes need to have enough detail to support your positioning so a two- to three-page resume is acceptable. But, your resume shouldn't be so long that it works against you.

Your resume has to have a compelling message and be easy to read, so after you have tightened up your content, format it to have a decent amount of white space.

Finding the right balance of information for your resume can make it impactful. It's not about how long or short your resume is, or how many employers you've worked for, but finding the right information and words to present it in the best light to demonstrate that you have the specific experiences and skills the employer is seeking. So, keep in mind the phrase, "less is more" when writing or updating your resume.

Writing an optimized resume is no easy task. By removing these 10 things from your resume, you'll be that much closer to landing an interview and securing your next job.

Need more help optimizing your resume?

Sign up for our FREE Resume & LinkedIn Bootcamp today to learn how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile the way recruiters want!


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10 Things To Remove From Your Resume

Is A Summary Necessary On A Resume?



Is a summary required on a resume? The particular short answer is: completely not!

“No paragraph should actually lead your resume! micron warns J. T. O'Donnell, LinkedIn Influencer and founder of Function It Daily. “It will not get read. in This is especially correct if you plan towards write an “objective" assertion about yourself such because: “I'm a high-achieving best performer with outstanding in addition to incredible skills…"

This is a LARGE no-no, according to L. T. “I get this same answers at all times through recruiters—they don't like [summary statements], " she states. “In fact, it's such as double nails on some sort of chalkboard to some recruiter that will see [them]. type

Why A new Resume Summary Turn up useful info


Studies show you have six seconds to find that promotion with your current resume . Based on T. T., recruiters will check out your resume inside a Z-pattern (left to right around the top fold, straight down across the page, and even over). In those 6 seconds, they have so that you can decide if they're heading to continue reading. So, exactly what are they will be sketched to on a resume?

  • Daring text
  • Text message with white space
  • Simplified text

“I make a face once i see people waste materials valuable space in often the top fold of their own resume with this huge, long summary paragraph, alone says J. T. “Do NOT do it! lunch break

What To be able to Do Instead


Man features your resume while on your laptop

Instead of struggling to help you write your resume, understand how to properly file format it for success. This particular includes varying your leading fold from a synopsis or objective statement for an experience summary, which is usually a listing of 6-8 difficult or transferrable skills required for the specific job you're applying for. Likewise, make sure you quantify your job experience therefore your resume outshines your competition!

If you want to make sure you learn more about just how to do this, we are able to help.

We'd love it in case you joined our TOTALLY FREE community . It’s a good private, online platform exactly where workers, just like people, are coming together for learn and grow in to powerful Workplace Renegades. A lot more importantly, we have lots of resources inside our community that will can help you create your resume—the right method.

It's period to find work of which makes you feel delighted, satisfied, and fulfilled. Sign up for our FREE community today to lastly become an empowered business-of-one!

This article has been originally published at a good earlier date.

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Is A Summary Necessary On A Resume?

Should You Upload Your Resume To LinkedIn Or Other Social Media



LinkedIn has made it very easy to upload your resume as a PDF to make it part of your LinkedIn profile. While it's tempting to do this rather than build a full profile from scratch, you should avoid it.

Your resume and LinkedIn profile should be treated as two separate resources for your job search. Sure they are very similar, and you should use your resume as a guide for your LinkedIn profile, but a slight separation of the two is important!

Here's why...

There Are Major Privacy Concerns


Your LinkedIn profile is fully (or at least semi-) public. Your contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.) are not necessarily public on your LinkedIn profile, but will become public if you upload your resume.

Even if you remove this private information from your resume before you upload it, by uploading your resume, you have made the resume itself public. You no longer have control. That means that anyone is free to view, copy, download, use, pirate, and distribute your resume—all without your knowledge or consent.

Whatever information you're given by LinkedIn about views of your profile and downloads of your resume is after the fact—after your resume has been downloaded and is in the possession of someone else.

It Makes Your Job Search Public


Man waits for his job interview

Posting your resume on LinkedIn changes your job search from a private one to a public one. It practically screams, "I'm looking for a job!" While it helps your job search for the trusted people of your professional network to be quietly notified that you're looking for new opportunities, it does not help to announce it to the world.

Why? Because recruiters, employers, potential clients, and quality networkers are looking for top candidates. Top candidates are, by definition, people who are in demand. A top candidate, therefore, rarely "needs" a job, although he or she is open to opportunities. By publicly screaming, "I'm looking for a job!" you are simultaneously announcing that you are not a top candidate.

Your LinkedIn profile needs to showcase your value and appeal, not your (real or perceived) desperation.

It's Not The Best Way To Display Your Professional Skills


A businessman makes edits to his resume

Resumes work best when they are tailored to specific job openings or employers. Posting your resume online means you have given up the chance to best present your resume to any legitimate recruiters or employers who view it. And the substance of the resume should be worked into your LinkedIn profile anyway.

Remember: if your LinkedIn profile is compelling, then a legitimate recruiter or employer surfing through LinkedIn will contact you. And then you can decide whether to provide your (targeted) resume.

So, in conclusion, posting your resume online gives you additional risk, but no reward.

Struggling to write your resume or optimize your LinkedIn profile?

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write your resume and optimize your LinkedIn profile—the right way.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Should You Upload Your Resume To LinkedIn …

6 Common Resume Mistakes You Must Avoid



Although a resume is the first impression job seekers get to make, it's amazing how many people continue to gloss over errors. In today's job market, you need to make sure your resume is going to be read rather than quickly scanned and thrown away.

You want your resume to impress the future employer reading it. So, do you know what your resume really says about you? Here are some typical resume mistakes job seekers make and how they translate to employers:

Forgetting To Proofread Your Resume


Typos, misspelled words, and bad grammar mistakes can make a hiring manager think you're careless or won't pay attention to details on the job. Show you are serious about the job opportunity and capable of doing the job by choosing words carefully and catching any mistakes.

Including Too Much Information


Man reviews his resume for mistakes

Including too much information can make employers think you aren't able to write clearly and concisely, which has become increasingly important in today's high-tech world. Your resume might not be read if it's too long, either. For an effective resume, focus on white space, bullet points, and quantifying your work experience.

Your Resume Is Poorly Organized


Woman reviews her resume for mistakes

A busy, cluttered resume may make employers think you are unorganized and scatterbrained, and that those characteristics could carry over to the job. Make sure your resume formatting is consistent throughout the document and use headings and bullet points to organize information on your resume.

You Send The Same Document For Every Job Opening


Hiring manager reads a resume with mistakes

This shows you don't care enough about the job opportunity to send a tailored/customized resume. It might also tell employers you aren't great at adapting. Always customize your resume for each position you apply to. That way, the potential employer will see the exact skills and experience you have that are relevant to the position and realize you're a great, qualified candidate who could help them reach their goals.

You Use An Inappropriate Email Address


Man checks his resume for mistakes

This will very likely make hiring managers skip your resume altogether. It's unprofessional. Create an email account with some variation of your name for job-seeking purposes.

You Include Incorrect Or False Information


Woman checks her resume for mistakes

This can make the employer think you haven't updated your resume for the job opening—or worse, that you aren't being honest. Lying on your resume is never a good idea. Instead, learn how to properly demonstrate your value as a business-of-one.

Need more resume tips? Here's how to spruce up your resume in just a few minutes:

  • Change all responsibilities to accomplishments you had at the position. Most people who'll read your resume don't want to hear about the general tasks you did, but rather how you benefited the company while you were there.
  • Eliminate anything that doesn't pertain to the job for which you are applying. You want to show the employer you know what they are looking for and YOU are it.
  • Read your resume out loud or have a friend look it over. You will catch anything that sounds awkward and your friend can probably give you some suggestions you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
  • Don't bury important skills. If it's important in your field to have extensive computer skills, write about that in your "Experience Summary" section (at the top) rather than burying it in a "Skills" section (at the bottom).

The lesson is to take your time to make your resume showcase the best “you." Highlight those accomplishments. Update it when necessary. Make it concise, compelling, and error-free. Once you do this, you'll be ready to apply for your dream job and find the career success you deserve.

If you're feeling burned out in your career, it could be time for a change. Sign up for Work It Daily's new FREE course "Break Through Your Burnout: How To Go From Crisis To Career Satisfaction." It's time to take back your happiness.


This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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6 Common Resume Mistakes You Must Avoid