Your resume should be a document that explains in detail; your experience, education, and skillset. The purpose of a resume is to provide a parallel between your background and the positions you are applying for. The information you list here should be relevant, and precise. That’s why we wanted to expand on our previous blog (if you missed our blog on that, you can read that here) and share phrases that you should leave *off* your resume. Check it out!

Salary

Including your salary preferences on your resume may seem like a smart way to save time. If I list my salary requirements, then the hiring manager will know instantly if we are on the same page or not. Wrong. Listing your salary on your resume not only locks you to the salary you’ve listed, but it can also trap you in other ways. For example, maybe the company would be willing to pay someone like you with your requirements – more money. Maybe you’re asking for too much money for the location, position, company and they don’t consider you because your salary requirements are too high. Or – if you feel that after an interview- you want to negotiate the salary – it may be more difficult to do so. You’re better off to save salary for discussions and case by case situations.

References Available Upon Request

This one may receive some mixed reviews, and writing “References Available Upon Request” on your resume may have been/is something that you currently do. However, there are a few reasons why you should leave this off your resume. First, if a company is interested in moving forward with the process – they will request your references. Listing this wastes space on your resume for other information. Therefore it is just not needed. A recruiter or hiring manager will know – if they need references, you should have them available regardless. So although you don’t need to include this phrase on your resume, be sure to still have references available upon request.

Standard “Career Objective”

Going along with the previous point, avoid phrases like “career objective”, as it’s simply another unnecessary use of space. A career objective generally lists the obvious; what you’re looking for which mainly consists of a position that relates to your experience, and what you would like to accomplish from there. Again, this phrase is another waste of space and something that can be shared in person or when you discuss the role.

General Descriptive Words

We don’t mean don’t share skills that you possess that relate to certain requirements for a position. We’re referring to terms such as “strong communicator, energetic, hard worker, team player”, etc. These terms – although they are great for an employee to obtain, are not effective in portraying your talents. You will have more luck listing how you communicated well, how you worked hard, how you were able to work with a team – with specific examples, data points, etc. Anyone can say they’re a hard worker – but what does that mean specifically. Expand on that