Is Your Resume a Cardboard Cutout?

Does your resume contain the phrase "team player"?

Does your resume have an objective that states, "Seeking a position in a dynamic organization with the opportunity for advancement"?

Are you "responsible for..." many things; do you demonstrate "excellent oral and written communication skills"?

In other words, is your resume a cardboard cutout?

I come across 100s of resumes each year that contains the same words and phrases, over and over again. Where do these resume cliches come from? Often, they come straight from the job advertisements, usually in the Qualifications section. You will see calls for "self-starters" who can "manage multiple tasks" and "can be counted on to get the job done" (OK, you may not see too much of the latter- even cliches can eventually be retired). Thus, job seekers will feel, correctly, that they need to replicate the ads as much as possible. But in order to avoid the cliches, the best place to analyze the job ads is in the Job Requirements section. You can find keywords and key phrases that you can paraphrase while avoiding the "cardboard-cutout" items.

There are numerous resume cliches to avoid, so a comprehensive list is nearly impossible; however, here are some to avoid:

Self-Starter
Results-Driven
Team Player
Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills
Multi-Task Management
People Person
Interpersonal Skills
Attention to Detail

And here's an example from an ad in a local newspaper:

ELIGIBILITY SUPERVISOR

Applicant must have extensive knowledge of Social Security Administration Policy and of State Medicaid policy and regulations.​ Must be a self-starter, independent and demonstrate attention to detail.​ Must have strong communication skills and the ability to motivate others and lead by example.​ Excellent phone, verbal and written skills required.​ 

(NOTE ON PICTURE: Yes, that is a cardboard cutout of Ban Ki-moon, the current Secretary-General of the United Nations).