Words mean things

Especially when you're looking for a job

Photo by Amador Loureiro on Unsplash

My blog back in the day was called “Words Mean Things.” In that spirit, this week I thought I would give five quick tips for using words effectively in your job search. Let me know if you want me to expand on any of these ideas in future newsletters.

1. Match words.
   Make an effort to repeat the terms you see in a job listing in your resume, and your cover letter if you are writing one. Job titles, skills required, software used, etc. Repeating words exactly gives you an advantage when it comes to automated applicant tracking systems. But it also makes sure that you are covering the areas of expertise the employer is looking for.

2. Verbs not adjectives.
   Stop using adjectives on your resume: detail-oriented, dynamic, organized, reliable. Those are meaningless to employers; they are just empty words on a page. What words aren’t empty? Verbs. Developed. Created. Managed. Saved. Organized. Planned. Taught. Designed. Implemented. Those show your value, because they relate to real-world examples.

3. Beware red flags.

   Read job listings carefully, and beware of red flags that can derail you. In the case of older job seekers, for example, watch out for terms like “recent graduate” and “digital native” that can signal that the employer may be willing to disregard your experience because of your age.

4. No goals or objectives.

   Don’t list your goals or objectives on your resume. This isn’t about you. They don’t care what your goals or objectives are. That sounds harsh, but it’s true. Instead, begin your resume with a professional summary, a short “elevator pitch” that details concisely why you can solve the employer’s problems. That is what they will respond to.

5. Outcomes, not tasks.

   Resist the urge to detail everything you were responsible for in a job. Again, what they prospective employer cares about is what you accomplished, not just what your day looked like. Detail your wins. Exchange the laundry list for a couple of engaging stories about how you saved money, innovated, moved the needle.

Here’s one bonus tip: Proofread. EVERYTHING. Nothing can make you look unprepared and unprofessional like an unforced error on your materials. Best case scenario - have someone else you trust review your materials before they go out. You look at these items so much, it’s easy for your eyes and brain to miss things.

If you don’t have anyone to help you with proofing, at least let everything sit for a day or so and come back to it with fresh eyes. That makes all the difference.

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