Just a Few Things Not to Put Into Your Résumé.

I see résumés every day that are homemade and full of standard errors that, rather than open doors to interviews, stand in the way instead.

• Seeking a position utilizing my skills and abilities. Duh! Who isn’t? Your objective should say specifically what kind of work you are seeking!!! Your potential employer isn’t a career counselor or a mind reader * give him a targeted objective. Executive Writing Services can help you with this, as with those mistakes listed below.
  

• No objective at all. That’s a good idea only if you are sending your résumé to a headhunter who prefers it that way, or if you are giving it to someone who already has a specific opportunity in mind for you. Otherwise, no objective sends the message that you don’t know what you want to do when you grow up. No objective at all, or a nonspecific non-objective can end up on the desk of the wrong hiring manager, perhaps the guy who hires the cleaning crew. Your résumé writer will help you construct an objective.
  

• Self-motivated. So are most two-year-olds. That sounds selfish and myopic * why not self-starter, highly motivated, energized by challenges. Independent worker, but also a team player. You might want to say that you are outgoing and client-oriented. A strong problem solver.
  

• Strong oral skills. No * that goes on Monica Lewinsky’s résumé! Yours might say “Articulate verbal skills."
  

• A people person. What kind of person isn’t a people person? Even animal handlers have to interact with people as well. Even Hannibal the Cannibal was a people person! He was very fond of people, properly cooked and seasoned.
  

• Voted most popular girl on campus. That could be taken more than one way, but I have seen it on home made résumés. Believe it or not, I have seen all of these on résumés that were homemade or churned out by one of the résumé mills.

• Personal Information: Unless the information is directly related to the job you are going for, mentioning your religion, race, politics, sexual orientation, body measurements, etc., or including a photo, are not good ideas. I had a client once who had moved here from San Francisco, and he wanted to include: “Voted Gay Cowboy of the Year.” Not a good idea, at least in middle America, unless he is looking for a job in that particular genre of employers. Don't ask, don't tell. A photo would be a good idea if applying for a job modeling or as a stage performer or as a TV personality, but not for most jobs.