If you’re looking for a new job, then you know you need to polish your old resume or create a new one. And the first place you may go is the Internet to look for samples.

But as one of Northern California’s top employment firms, Pacific Staffing can tell you that this is a mistake! If you simply follow someone else’s boilerplate resume, then yours is going to look just like everyone else’s, complete with jargon and meaningless phrases. As a result, it’s not going to get noticed.

So what are some of the biggest language mistakes candidates make on their resumes? Here’s a look at a few phrases to avoid:

1. “My Objective is…”

These were common form a decade ago, but today objectives aren’t really necessary. The hiring manager knows that your objective is to secure the job you’re applying for, so it’s not necessary to spell that out. Plus, you could be hurting your chances of landing a job if your objective is too vague, or too specific. So just skip it altogether.

2. “References Available Upon Request.”

Hiring managers expect that you’ll provide them with references when requested. So including this phrase is pointless – not to mention the fact it takes up valuable space on your resume.

3. “Detail Oriented, Team Player, Hard Working, Etc.”

Don’t just describe your attributes on your resume. Demonstrate them using real-world examples and accomplishments. For example, rather than saying you’re “a team player,” describe an important project you worked on as a part of a team, your individual contributions, and the positive results (via numbers, statistics, etc…) you were able to achieve together.

4. Responsible for [insert task here].”

You may have been responsible for a variety of assignments, tasks, and goals. But hiring managers don’t care about what you’re responsible for…they care about results. So, for instance, what kinds of important objectives or results did you achieve when you completed a specific task or project? That’s what hiring managers want to know. Also, rather than using dull phrases like “responsible for,” use action-oriented verbs, such as “spearheaded,” “led,” or “managed.”

Want Professional Resume Help?

Let Pacific Staffing know. As one of Northern California’s top employment firms, we can offer you the guidance and expertise you need to create an effective resume that gets noticed by employers! Contact Pacific Staffing today to learn more or search our Northern California jobs.