Imagine you’re a hiring manager for a minute. You post a job opening and within 24 hours, you’re flooded with resumes from job candidates. You do your best to efficiently filter out the bad candidates and hone in on the good. But realistically, you can only spend a few moments scanning each resume.

Discouraged? Don’t be.

As one of the top Houston staffing agencies, Murray Resources knows that while today’s job market is certainly challenging, you can put your best foot forward via your resume…if you know how to grab attention and make the case that you’re the best candidate.

Unfortunately, many job seekers fill their resumes with “fluff” – that is, vague and unsubstantiated claims that may sound good, but really mean nothing. For instance:

• Dynamic visionary
• Independent thinker
• Committed team player
• Driven team player
• Proficient multi-tasker
• Strong communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail

Filling your resume with these kinds of phrases typically means it winds up in the trash bin. Instead, stick with the facts. If you want the hiring manager to know you’re a “dynamic visionary,” then offer them relevant accomplishments (quantified by numbers, statistics, percentages, etc.) that support your claim.

For instance:

Spearheaded and executed a direct mail campaign that resulted in improved awareness, a 5% increase in leads, and $10,000 in new sales.

Another type of fluff to avoid on your resume is listing your hobbies or interests. If they’re directly related to the position you’re applying for (for instance, you love to bike and you’re applying for a job at a sporting goods store), then include them. If they’re not, however, then skip them. You don’t want a hiring manager wasting valuable time reading about your passion for yoga instead of your skills and experience. In addition, if a personal hobby or interest doesn’t appeal to a hiring manager, it could actually negatively impact your chances of getting an interview.

Need More Resume Help?

Let Murray Resources know. As one of the top Houston staffing agencies, we can help you craft a strong resume, making you more marketable, as well as match you with job opportunities that are a great fit. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started.