10 Words that Don't Belong in a Resume or Job Ad!
Posted by Seth Burgess on Tue, Feb 09, 2010 @ 03:14 PM
Here are some words and phrases that should never be used when advertising a job or writing a resume. Can you figure out why?
Self-Motivated
Hard Working
Dedicated
Organized
Reliable
Dependable
Good with People
Expert
Detail-Oriented
Responsible
These words and others like them describe "subjective qualities." They represent qualities that are definitely desireable in an employment relationship. However, advertising for these qualities or including them in your resume can backfire. Subjective qualities are just that, subjective. If you are an employer, you should not care if an applicant thinks they have some of these qualities. You should care whether YOU think they have these qualities. As an applicant, you need to let employers draw their own conclusions about your subjective qualities from the relationships you build with them.
When it comes to subjective qualities, your opinion is the ONLY opinion that counts. You will form that opinion as you get to know each candidate. Don't try to screen for subjective qualities with your advertisement. It won't work!
The best job seekers know that when an ad contains words like these, the employer probably has trouble hiring and keeping good help. All horse industry employers have trouble finding good help from time to time, but you don't want to advertise your failures, do you? Write your ad to attract the best people. Give them a reason to work for you instead of for someone else. Draw your own conclusions about each person's subjective qualities after they respond to your ad.