Buzzwords That Can Damage Your Résumé

Robert Half International — 9/16/2009 12:24:48 PM

Your résumé is designed to communicate your accomplishments and distinguish you from other job seekers, but there are certain words and phrases that can actually disguise your qualifications. For example, if an applicant writes, "Assisted manager in optimizing marketing campaigns," it's difficult to determine exactly what the person did or how he or she did it.

Indeed, peppering your résumé with vague terms can be a red flag to employers, who may feel as though you are trying to exaggerate your qualifications or hide knowledge gaps.

Here are some common buzzwords to avoid when writing your résumé and advice for what you should say instead:

"Familiar with ..."
Using this or similar term....

Crafting an Eye-Catching Cover Letter

Robert Half International — 11/2/2009 6:26:20 PM

Many job seekers today are tempted to skip the cover letter. Think twice before doing so.

Experienced candidates may find that they don't need a cover letter to sell their skills to prospective employers. But this document can be invaluable for entry-level professionals or individuals who seek a career change. A thoughtfully written letter can distinguish these individuals from the crowd by allowing them to go into greater detail about the unique skills and qualifications that make them the best fit for the role.

Following are some tips for creating an eye-catching cover letter:

1. Avoid a generic salutation
If possible, don't start yo....

The Résumé Black Hole

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer — 9/3/2009 4:01:51 PM

Many job seekers today will tell you that the most frustrating part of the job search is after they hit "send" and their résumés are sent out into application oblivion -- never to be seen again.

It's the common perception of the résumé black hole -- a place where, instead of stars and planets, résumés and cover letters are just floating around, waiting to get sucked back to Earth and into a hiring manager's hands.

Matthew McMahon, partner at McMahon Partners LLC, an executive search firm, says the ease of online job boards is a double-edged sword for candidates. While they can see what's available and apply to what interests them, the little time and monetary cost also causes th....

HD Résumé: Making Things Crystal Clear

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer — 7/28/2009 12:38:10 PM

By now you've heard several times that the job market is competitive and it's more important than ever that you stand out to employers through your cover letter and résumé.

Well, you're about to hear it again.

"While it is always important to have a remarkable résumé, a bad economy makes it even more important," says Kathy Sweeney, a certified professional résumé writer for The Write Résumé. "With this situation in mind, it is more important than ever to communicate the value you bring to a potential employer."

Here are a few pearls of wisdom: Communicating your value to an employer is not done by crowding your résumé with phrases like "results driven" or "motivated." It won't be done by listi....

Is My Résumé Being Read?

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer — 5/27/2009 5:56:20 PM

If you've watched the news lately, you've seen a reporter standing at a job fair and a line of job seekers winding out the door. Inevitably the reporter interviews an employer who says that for a few open positions, hundreds of applicants have submitted résumés.

You immediately wonder: How many of those applications actually get read?

In a perfect world, hiring managers would have plenty of time to thoroughly read every single résumé that comes across their desks and contact each person to explain why the company is choosing someone else. In reality, the job seekers outnumber available positions in today's job market, and hiring managers are too busy to hold your hand through every step of the proces....

Top 5 Most Recent MSN CVLTRES Articles

Buzzwords That Can Damage Your Résumé

Crafting an Eye-Catching Cover Letter

The Résumé Black Hole

HD Résumé: Making Things Crystal Clear

Is My Résumé Being Read?