Make no mistake about it, writing an effective resume has to be a highly individualized matter, since no two people are alike. Nevertheless, it is such a constricted and standardized format, that we resume writers find ourselves adopting certain phrases or words that each of us tends to prefer and that in fact help our clients get jobs. Every resume writer has his or her own list. Here is mine:

1. $3,000,000 (vs. $3M) To a skimmers eye, $3M looks like three dollars. If you are dealing with big numbers and write out all the zeros, the readers eye will find it anywhere on the page, no matter how fast they are skimming.

2. Created a database for (vs. Developed a database for) Developed is an overused and nondescript word. Often databases, procedures, lists, or whatever other job activity you are writing about is something you actually put together (even if you used a standard software program to do it, for example). Created is closer to the truth and is certainly much more impressive.

3. Applied xyz methods (vs. Learned xyz methods.) Many people list important skills or knowledge that they learned on a job. But that isnt going to impress a potential employer. The potential employer wants to know if you actually used those skills. How and where you learned them is immaterial.

4. College courses include (vs. Took courses in. or 3 years of college) If you went to college years ago and did not complete your degree, you look like an underachiever. Starting with College courses include sends the message that you are a high school graduate who went to school to take courses (not just get a degree) or that you have been motivated to keep your education ongoing.

5. All as in, All human resources responsibilities in the office (vs., for example, Human resources responsibilities include all functions) Sometimes a key word isnt what youd think. All is a great key word to start a descriptive item in your resume. All instantly paints a picture of comprehensive responsibilities and a more rather than less important role.

6. References available upon request (vs. nothing) Now, I know that many experts do not consider this phrase necessary because they believe that most readers assume that you will have references. But Im not so sure. Unfortunately, there are potential employers out there (hopefully not too many) who may conclude that if you do not say anything about references, it must mean that you dont have any, and therefore they can throw out your resume and have one less to read. So, keep it in.

7. Value to an organization: (vs. Career Summary) Who cares what your career summary is? In my humble opinion and extensive experience, deep down inside the first thing a potential employer really wants to know is if you can help their bottom line. Otherwise, I dont really think theyre that interested in reading yet another career summary.

Sander Marcus, Ph.D.
www.center.iit.edu