No two employees are the same, but a growing number of resumes are. That's because everybody is trying to send the same message: I'd be perfect for this job. While it's important to communicate your winning personality, knowledge base, and skill set, you should do so without drowning the reader in unnecessary and redundant details. Here are a few examples of things you don't need to say and should remove from your resume asap."Objective" Stating your objective is a staple section on many resumes but in most cases it's totally unnecessary -- obviously your objective is to get a job at that company. There are some exceptions, for example if you feel your goal is unclear (i.e. you want to change industries or are applying for a job for which you have no experience)."I was high school valedictorian" The fact that you were valedictorian or had a perfect GPA has nothing to do with anything once you're older than about 18. Leave it out and use the space for more relevant information.
"I'm proficient at Word and Excel" or any other equipment or technology that is essential to the job. These days being computer literate and competent in common programs, equipment, and other technology found in the workplace (depending on the industry and type of job) is somewhat of a given. Only mention it in circumstances where you specifically deem it necessary.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cynthia says: (11:14PM on May 8th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport1/3
We are on the same wavelength regarding originality. Cookie cutter
cover letters are so boring that often times they don't even get the
interviewer interested enough to read the resume. You've got to be
different and stand out if you want to land interviews. You've got to
be interesting enough for the interviewer to want to meet you.
Here's more information on how to go about this: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2833907
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Steven Provenzano, CPRWCEIP says: (11:16AM on Jul 28th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Hi C:
While there's no need for the word Objective on a resume, nor a long paragraph, you should at least have a TITLE centered at the top, to give readers some idea about the type of work you're seeking.
After 20 years of writing resumes, and six books on the subject, we find this works very well.
If you'd like a free resume review, check out site and email directly to me: Execareers.com.
Steven Provenzano, CPRW/CEIP, ECS & DTP, Inc.
CBax says: (7:36PM on May 24th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
It is important that your resume be accompanied by a cover letter that is custom written for each specific job/company (don't just send out a generic one with every resume). It will be most effective if it is written as a "sales letter" selling YOU as the latest greatest product. Writing really good sales copy takes a lot of practice and skill but I tell you about a great short cut on my website:
Resume Cover Letter Help
http://resume-cover-letter-help.blogspot.com/
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Shaira Ray says: (7:49AM on Jun 12th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Preparing an impressive and interesting resume is a crucial task, since the resume is your first chance to make an impression with your prospective employer. The resume should be extraordinary in both facts and layout. It should impress the reader at once with its outstanding characteristics. Another good advice for the aspiring career woman: http://www.naukriforwomen.com which is totally dedicated to female job aspirants. Here you can register as a job seeker http://www.naukriforwomen.com/user/register/2/
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whiteblack says: (3:53AM on Jun 21st 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Cookie cutter
cover letters are so boring that often times they don't even get the
interviewer interested enough to read the resume. You've got to be
different and stand out if you want to land interviews.
Preparing an impressive and interesting resume is a crucial task, since the resume is your first chance to make an impression with your prospective employer.
_____________________________________________
Whiteblack
Job Description
Reply
andrea says: (4:32AM on Jul 18th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport1/3
I think that being the high school valedictorian is a huge accomplishment and if I seen that on a resume that would definately catch my eye. The information above states that it has nothing to do with anything once you're older than about 18. That is absoutley absurd. Being valedictorian is a title that could be the defining factor for the rest of that persons life! The valedictorian gets a scholarship to college, which later usually turns in to getting an actual career. So I'm sorry but I totally disagree with the information above.
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Leigh says: (11:42AM on Jul 18th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I don't know if Andrea has ever hired or fired employees in her job positions. However, until recently I was responsible for doing so in three different positions I've held over a number of years as a very senior organizational administrator. Like many employers engaged in operational areas that required somewhat more advanced skills beyond those seen in very low-level jobs, I did not hire individuals who did not have high school diplomas. I sometimes hired for positions in which I interviewed applicants who had reached age 19 or 20 but hadn't gone on to college or vocational school at that point, or had individuals apply who had already started college or vo-tech school. In these cases I never considered high school achievements. These are largely irrelevant to employers who are looking for educational or employment accomplishments that are more advanced and job-specific than those reflected in high-school achievements. Employment skills and post-high school achievements are usually better indicators of job performance skills and more accurately reflect the abilities of individuals to accomplish new tasks or projects.
Steven Provenzano, CPRWCEIP, Author: Top Secret Resumes & Cover Letters says: (11:18AM on Jul 28th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Hi Everyone:
While there's no need for the word Objective on a resume, nor a long paragraph, you should at least have a TITLE centered at the top, to give readers some idea about the type of work you're seeking.
After 20 years of writing resumes, and six books on the subject, we find this works very well.
If you'd like a free resume review, check our site and email directly to me: Execareers.com; direct email: Careers@Execareers.com.
Steven Provenzano, CPRW/CEIP, ECS & DTP, Inc.
Reply
Pauline says: (11:03AM on Mar 11th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
While I agree with your first two items that can be excluded on a resume, I think that stating your skill set is still important in terms of software. In my experience as a Graphics Specialist, prospective employers have always included questions about whether or not I could use the Microsoft suite, but at what level and which versions. Maybe in some instances taking certain software experience or knowledge isn't the way to go.
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John Robinson says: (8:33PM on Apr 28th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
complicated papers and fonts have to be definitely avoided with your employment cover letter, use a regular font anf font sizing, in addition to a white A4 paper. Immediately after reading this, for anyone who is confused exactly how to write a very good cover letter it may be best if you look for a help from a professional. In this way you don't have to concern yourself with the high quality and you'll have more time to get ready for the potential interview.
http://www.resumecoverletterexamples.org/
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John says: (7:58AM on Apr 6th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I agree with you on this, i feel that there some things better left off a resum and people should understand this.
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Audra M says: (4:32PM on Jun 17th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
put yourself in the other person;s shoes and go from there to decide what to include and exclude. a person who was valedictorian when they graduated from high school probably went to college so you have your degree to put on there. i think an objective is a good idea if you have researched the job and can include similar job positions they may offer. just in case you do not qualify for the one that was advertised.
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maddy says: (12:52AM on Jul 30th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
This is a unique and wonderful post. I think you’ve made some truly interesting points here..
http://www.sampleresumeobjectives.org/Job/advertising-resume-objectives
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Donald Coomer says: (5:33PM on Nov 21st 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I often see the advice to keep a resume under 2 pages, or even less sometimes. While this may be true for some fields, I do not believe it is true for a technical field. When I look at resumes of prospective technical candidates I want to see as much detail as possible regarding the technical experience I’m looking for.
You might say, “leave the details for the interview,” but in my experience the less detail a candidate gives on the resume, the less they know or understand about the subject. If someone simply lists a technology that they supposedly have experience with, in reality it usually means very little and it’s a waste of time to talk to that candidate. However, if they describe in detail the things they’ve done with a technology, it’s usually easy to see that they at least have a basic understanding of it.
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http://www.resume-planet.com/ - Resume Help
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John S says: (1:03PM on Feb 8th 2012) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Like Andrea, I disagree with the assertion that being the valedictorian of your high school class "doesn't mean anything once you're over 18." It shows what type of person you are. It shows that you are a talented, highly intelligent, motivated achiever; typically the type of person that most companies want to hire. Granted, you still need to have other qualifications. But I think mentioning that you were the valedictorian (or salutatorian, for that matter) helps paint a picture of you as a person, in a way that is helpful to a hiring manager.
In fact, my most recent hiring manager was absolutely interested in that bullet point on my resume, and it was a topic of discussion for a couple of minutes during the interview which landed me the job. He did not seem turned off by it at all. I have had "career coaches" repeatedly insist that I would be better off removing it from my resume, but my own experience tells me otherwise. Your mileage may vary.
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Resume Examples says: (8:56AM on Mar 14th 2012) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
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