REFERENCES

References Available Upon Request

                And other things you do not need on a resume

Just once, I would like to see someone post the following at the end of a resume:

“References will be available when I have determined that I want to work for your company,”  or, ” I’m not going to supply references because if my resume has not enticed you to call me by now, then this useless tagline is not going to make a difference!”

Come on people, this is the oldest and most overused phrase in the history of resumes. Do you think that by adding this tagline it is going to ensure that you get a call from the hiring manager?  Do you think you will be eliminated from contention if you do not put this on the resume? Do you think a hiring manager really cares? If you are not going to supply references on your resume ( and you shouldn’t) then why bother to add this tired old cliché’?  This is not the 1960’s.  This is useless.

Let’s explore other items that are virtually useless (or could hurt your chances)

Objectives

See my earlier article entitled:  Objective On Your Resume.

Graphs / Charts

Most are distracting, sloppy, hard to read, and boring.  Instead of this useless tool which only clutters up the resume, why not just list your increased revenues, sales, growth, etc in an easy to read format.  Managers do not have time nor motivation to sift through graphs.  If you feel compelled, create a chart or graph in a PP Presentation and bring it to the interview.

Platitudes

“A Dynamic, self-assured, highly motivated, Award Winning Sales Executive offering etc, etc. etc.  Most managers gloss over this stuff.  Do you think that a sales rep is going to open up the resume by saying, “A boring, laid back, middle of the pack plodder with no significant accomplishments offering, etc, etc, etc?  Of course not.  Rather than the platitudes, open up your resume with a nice Summary of your Qualifications.  Grab that manager’s attention!

Categories

Here’s what many people do as they describe their tenure at a company:

Company:

XYZ Medical, Inc

Products Sold:

Industrial Strength Diapers

Dates of Employment:

Whenever to Whenever

Territory:

Wherever

Responsibilities:

Sales of diapers to etc.etc.

Selected Achievements:

A long paragraph with really no achievements

Most managers and recruiters can determine all of the above criteria without needing directions from Suri.  All this does is take up space.   You need to keep the flow of the resume nice and smooth for easier reading.

Personal Information:

We do not need to know the date of your High School Graduation, the names of your Spouse and Children (OMG!), and your religious affiliation .

Health:

Excellent

What are you supposed to say?  Health: Fair? Poor?

Remember- most resumes are scanned initially- not read word for word.  The hiring manager wants to know your strengths, your dates of employment, where you work, what you do, and what you have accomplished.  All of this can be done without clutter.

If you need our help in crafting an ideal resume, please give us a call!

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