Helpful Job Resource Blog

What Recruiters Hate Seeing on Your Resume (And What They Love)

If you have been using those overused jargon and clichés in your resume to get the attention of hiring managers, this time you should try describing your achievements instead. Many job seekers go a little too overboard with their creativity when it comes to choosing the right "corporate buzzwords."

"But I mentioned all my accomplishments! Why didn’t I get called for the interview…?" You may think. 

There are many other things that make the hiring managers cringe, and we've compiled all of them here. To identify what could be wrong with your resume. Read on!

Your Resume Is Loaded with Meaningless Corporate Buzzwords

In a survey, 2000 hiring managers were asked about the major turn-offs in resumes. It was found that no good employer wanted to see these often-used corporate terms: 

• Results-driven
• Team player
• Hard worker

These words were considered vague attempts at describing achievements that were not achieved at all. 

Are you a team player? Congratulations on that! But they don’t want to know about it. 

They’d rather be more interested in knowing something you did that makes you a team player. Use some simple yet powerful words to enhance the impact of your resume. Here are some words adored by hiring managers, but pretty, please don’t overdo them.

• Achieved
• Mentored
• Managed
• Designed
• Inspired
• Enhanced
• Introduced
• Under budget

If Your Email Address Is ‘greenypinkyprincess@yahoo.com’

Your email address tells a lot about you and they seriously don't want to know that you're "green," "pink," and a "princess." It could be a teenage mistake that we all have done, and it's ok—but now that you’re grown up, consider making a new account before you start applying for jobs. 

Also, it’s better to have a Gmail account with a part of your name in the email address. It looks more professional than using Yahoo, Hotmail, or any other email address. 

 A Good Resume with a “Nah, Let’s Just Leave the Body” Email Copy

Ask yourself: Do you go through all the promotional emails you receive every day from different companies offering different products and services?

No, you don’t.

Similarly, employers don’t look at every email they receive. They only look at the ones that excite them. If you’re emailing your resume with no subject, no email body, your email will probably be “unread” until it makes its way into the "trash."

Even if the recruiter doesn’t open your resume for any reason, your email copy will still significantly impact the hiring decision. So, before you hit that “send” button, allot time to writing an email that’s clear, concrete, concise, courteous, and, most importantly—enthusiastic. 

And when it comes to the subject line, please don’t leave it blank. Seriously, please stop doing that if you want recruiters to open your email.

And lastly, if your resume is saved as “FINAL RESUME 12345” on your desktop, consider giving it a more professional name (e.g., Emily Baker – Resume) before you attach it to your email. 

If you’ve made it this far, your resume is pretty much ready to be sent to your dream companies. You can also check out our resume templates put together by professionals at OPS Staffing.  We’ll walk you through the entire process until you land your dream job. We specialize in helping with water damage restoration jobs as well as fire damage restoration jobs. Contact us at +1 (888) 482-6019 for more information.