Don’t Ever Put These on Your Resume

By Virgil R. Carter

Most of us have prepared and distributed resumes.  Resumes are important documents that may lead to new and better career opportunities.  As a result, many people concentrate on what they should include in a strong resume.  Do you?  But how much attention do you pay to what shouldn’t be included in your resume?

Dawn Dugan, writing in a recent salary.com article explores things you should never put in your resume.  Here’s a summary:

·        A crazy objective:  You think you want to be the next Bill Gates?  Great!  Just don’t put it in your objective statement.  Outlandish or overconfident objectives almost always ensure the rest of your resume isn’t read!

·        Irrelevant job experience:  Sure, the summer after freshman year you spent as Harry's Hot Dog Hut mascot was the best ever. But unless you're applying to wear the Gorilla suit for the Phoenix Suns, leave it out.

·        Statements that aren’t achievements:  Being nominated prom queen is not an achievement. Nor is belonging to a sorority or fraternity. And that award you won in a competitive eating contest? That's right--not an achievement. Stick to professional and community service awards only.

·        Bad grammar and obscure words:  Describing yourself as a "Very detail oriented multi-taster" is likely to get no other response than, "Yeah, right" before it's passed around the HR department for laughs--and then tossed. And don't try to impress with big words. No one needs to know you are endowed with "sophrosyne," when "good sense" will do.

·        Unprofessional contact information:  If your email address is crazybeerdrinker@dummy.com, don't include it on your resume. Email addresses are free and most accounts allow you to get several, so either get a new, professional address or delete it from your resume.

·        Attention-getting tactics:  Adding non-traditional elements to your resume will make it stand out--but not in a good way. Different font types and ink colors, glitter and other adornments, and brightly colored or perfumed paper--yes, every hiring manager has seen at least a few of these memorable tactics--are all no-nos.

First impressions count a lot.  When it comes to finding the right job, first impressions count a lot. You can ensure your resume gives a good first impression by knowing not only what to include, but also what not to include. Good luck in your job search!  For the full article, go to http://www.salary.com/10-things-to-never-put-on-your-resume/