Resumé Writing: Choose Your Words Wisely

I was looking at tips on how to write part of my resumé the other day and came across a blog by Mark Babbitt who is the founder of YouTern, an organization for start-up internships.  In his experience, he has screened many resumés from people wanting a position with his company. Mr. Babbitt proposes a list of words that you should NEVER use on a resumé.  I had a few of those words on my own resumé and have since taken them out:

1. Approximately: You have to approximate? You don’t know what you did? Or if you do know, but still indicate ‘approximately’, it says that finding out wasn’t a priority for you when creating this resumé. If you don’t know – find out. If you do know – show some confidence, and tell the reader what you accomplished.

2. Assisted: Mark states that “unless you work in a dental office or are a point guard”, he doesn’t want to hear about your ‘assists’. For jobs that focus on leadership, be sure in a humble way to demonstrate initiative and take ownership over your work.

3. Attempted: Never just indicate what you intended to do. Instead, focus on what you did do in an emphatic tone that includes quantitative statements. Examples include “increased customer satisfaction by 115%”, or “exceeded quota by an average of 31.2% every quarter.”

4. Team player: Everyone likes a team player, but simply claiming you’re a team player isn’t enough. You need to find a creative way to demonstrate this point. For instance, you could say that you take great pride in being a mentor, or, you can tell your reader how you successfully collaborated on developing a new marketing campaign securing a 32% increase in sales. So describe team player capability.  Don’t just say “I’m a team player.”

5. Professional: Is anyone going to admit they were less-than-professional during their previous jobs? Mark states “In your career, isn’t ‘professional’ in the same obvious realm as ‘I breathe air’?” Mark suggests we come up with a better and more imaginative word to describe how we conducted ourselves in our previous positions.

Remember, this one person’s personal opinion about resumés, but at the same time he makes some good points. If you feel like you want to keep these words, keep them! This is just one more viewpoint to take into consideration when writing or editing your resumé. Search for words that are similar, use a thesaurus and get creative in demonstrating your skills not just claiming to have them!

By: Brianne Bradbury, Peer Advisor

Sink or Sail: The Most Difficult Interview Question

This blog is for you. 

Every month, peer advisors research potential career-related topics affecting students at Laurier.  Once a topic is chosen, we attempt to summarize the idea in a concise and relatable form through an online blog post.  We author articles about resumé advice, interview tips and job search techniques.  In general, the subject of each blog post is fairly broad in scope.  This is done in an attempt to inform the reader about a great deal of information in a short span of time.  Broad articles help us cover broad topics for your reading pleasure.  Not today. 

Today we will talk about one single topic.  That topic is interview questions.  Within that topic, we will speak about one interview question in particular.  Today we will speak about the most difficult question ever… 

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?” 

Truthfully, they are the two most difficult questions ever.  These complex queries are an iceberg.  Not just any iceberg.  These questions are the iceberg that sank the Titanic (and Di Caprio).  Their seemingly simple tone is harshly undercut by the clandestine nature of their true intent.  Their goal is to distract.  Their goal is to trick.  Their goal is to kill… 

Before we allow our conspiracy theory to build too much steam, let us reflect.  The objectives of these questions are not so dubious.  The queries are simply an attempt to inquire into your ability to self-appraise.  If the interviewer wanted a completely objective answer, then he or she would call one of your references.  The employer is asking for your subjective appraisal of your ability as a potential employee…  This is your time to shine! 

The strengths are easy.  Tell them what you are great at.  Communicate your unique ability to be perfect for the job.  This is your pitch.  Sell them your brand.  Convey the unique attribute set which only you possess and which is integral to the position.  Ensure this preparation work is completed prior to the interview. 

The weaknesses are not.  The key here is to use the question to your advantage.  Attempt to describe a “hard skill” (technical ability) that you have yet to learn rather than a “soft skill” (personality trait) that you have picked up like a bad cold.  An employer would much rather teach you the basics of their computer software than attempt to un-teach your inability to work within a team.  

If the position has no discernible hard skills, the next step is to speak about conquered weaknesses.  Communicate a quality or trait that you once struggled with (time management is common) which you have overcome through a specific strategy (keeping a to-do-list and tracking unused time).  Describing a skill which formerly challenged you shows the employer that you focus on self-improvement and self-awareness; an invaluable quality in any employee. 

The key is to ensure your answer is genuine.  Responding with “I work too hard” or “I care too much” is as transparent as glass.  The employer does not want to play a game in the interview.  They want to see you answer, truly answer, the request. 

As long as you do your homework before the interview and consciously ponder your strengths and weaknesses as related to the position, and answer honestly, you will sail through the question.  If you fail to prepare for the question and respond deviously, then you are as safe as a sinking ship. 

By: Mike Gregor, Peer Advisor