8 things you should immediately take off your resume

We often hear that recruiters only spend a few seconds on each resume. As such, it’s important to eliminate any unnecessary elements that might distract them, or worse, make them discard your application.

We asked our employment experts to identify what elements were adding unnecessary length to your resume and distracting recruiters.

Here are 8 things you should immediately take off your resume.

1. Mundane tasks

Avoid adding mundane tasks such as data entry, follow up with suppliers or call management to your job descriptions; in short, anything that can be likened to the famous “related tasks”. “These mentions waste the recruiter’s reading and concentration time and detract from other key functions for the position sought,” says Monique Soucy, career management coach. Instead, focus on important tasks, especially those related to the job you’re applying for, and on your accomplishments.

2. Your career plan

Employers want to know what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. In your resume introduction, avoid spilling details about your career plan. “Many make the mistake of focusing on their own interests rather than highlighting the skills, talents and qualities that fit the position,” says Monique Soucy. If you want to talk about your career goals, include them in your cover letter rather than in your resume.

Also read: Ultimate guide to creating a winning CV

3. The term “professional”

Think you’ll impress recruiters by saying you’re professional? Think again. “This word is now outdated; all organizations want to hire professional people. It’s a must, not an asset,” says Nadine Beaupré, career development and management coach. Your professionalism should be a given if you really want to get the job.

4. The term “management”

The word “management” is certainly relevant in some contexts, but it is often misused to describe an overly general set of tasks or responsibilities. “Recruiters may think that the candidate is applying for a management position for which he or she is not necessarily qualified,” says Isabelle Bédard, president and CEO of CIB Développement organisationnel. Unless you really want to land a management position, it’s not worth the risk of confusing recruiters.

5. The term “teamwork”

Many candidates find it relevant to mention their ability to work in a team. This is indeed an essential quality in many workplaces… but it is more of a prerequisite than a distinguishing feature. “In today’s workplace, you don’t just have to be a team player, you have to be an informal influential leader,” says Nadine Beaupré. In other words, to really stand out, you have to show that you can be an important part of the team.

6. The term “results-oriented”

The term “results-oriented” can demonstrate your seriousness and dedication to the company’s goals. But think about it for a second: isn’t this a quality that recruiters look for in all candidates? “It was trendy in the early 2000s, but today, the term has no value to recruiters. It’s so commonplace that this requirement is no longer mentioned in job offers,” says Isabelle Bédard. Let’s leave this obsolete buzzword behind.

7. The term “versatility”

Versatility is a double-edged sword. A wide range of skills can make you a valuable resource, but not if your knowledge is only superficial. “An application that is too open-ended does not help you stand out and demonstrate your skills with impact,” explains Catherine Leduc, guidance counsellor at Brisson Legris. Instead, try to clearly demonstrate what you can bring to the organization.

8. Spelling mistakes

Spelling mistakes are a no-no on a resume. This document sums up who you are. You don’t want to be seen as a sloppy person who doesn’t take the time to do things right, do you?

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