Resume Action Words to Avoid

Digging through more resume writing advice, facts, and myths, we find out that while the use of fancy action words is typically encouraged by most career advisers, too much of a good thing can be counter-productive. This article from TechRepublic.com reveals that hiring managers prefer applicants use action words that effectively describe their experiences rather than fancy words that simply make you sound good. While this article was directed to those seeking jobs in Information Technology, it provides that sort of candid, insider advice that's really applicable to anyone and can give you an edge as a college student or college grad applying for internships or entry-level positions. You can read their article for the full list but, here are a few of the examples they pointed out...

Assist, assisted

• Reasons to avoid: Hiring managers want to know what you did, not how you helped. If you're familiar enough with a task to put it on your resume, you can choose a better word than assist.
• Example: Assisted marketing director by researching PDAs.
• Possible rephrasing: Researched PDAs for marketing department.

Cutting-edge, detail-oriented; coordinate, facilitate, transform; proven ability, synergy, and liaison

• Reasons to avoid: Hiring managers say such words take up space without communicating much. They've seen them so often that the words have lost their original energy.
• Example: Detail-oriented manager with proven ability to oversee day-to-day network operations and to implement major technology initiatives.
• Possible rephrasing: Supervised an eight-member IS staff; completed two full-scale platform migrations; consolidated equipment and resources following facilities move.

- Source: "Nineteen words that don't belong in your resume", TechRepublic.com

Bookstore Spotlight - Getting from College to Career

Do you ever find yourself thinking ahead to your post-graduation future? What will it be like? How will you get there? Check out the book "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World" by Lindsey Pollak.

Lindsey offers college students and recent grads the essential, action-oriented guidance you need to get a foot in the door of the real world.

Personally, I love it. My copy is full of post-its. It's an easy read yet it's filled with great advice and career preparation strategies. It's one of those books that you can just pick up once a day, read for 2 minutes, and get something meaningful and useful out of.

Check out the book and reviews from others who bought it here: http://www.joblessncollege.com/r/collegetocareer.php