Hiring Staff: I am seeing lots of resumes with empty boastful statements (letters, sample)

[email_lover]

So there are 250 resumes submittted for the Administrative Assistant opening at XYZ Corporation and nearly all of them have these broad empty statements like:

Great oral and written communications skills
Proficient In Microsoft Office
Eagar and willing to work hard
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational skills
Quick Learner
Hard Worker
Team Player
Great Background

That this is really going to help an individual applicant? Why would it? These are filllers, wasted words. Anyone and everyone is going to claim that they are a quick learner or are eagar to work hard. The hiring manager has seen these silly fillers a thousand times.

How about instead think outside the box and describe some real accomplishments in your previous jobs. Give concrete examples of why statements like those above are true.

Originally Posted by Opyelie

You know, saying statements on resumes are "boastful" is hilarious really - It's a RESUME, that means it's a way to SELL YOUR SKILLS...........so according to you they're being boastful.......

ay yi yi

[STT Resident]

Is it necessary to basically repeat your thread-opener to keep it going?

[hopefulone]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

ok here is the new resume words:

Bullcrapper (great verbal skills)
does email during work hours (good written skills)
surf porn websites (proficient in mircrosoft)
takes whiteout from office suppy cabinet when taking inventory to order (origanizational skills)
likes to paint nail with whiteout when bored (hardworker)
shuffles papers back and forth to look busy ( again the hardworker)
hates everyone associated with work ( TEAM PLAYER!!!)
uses hand signal especially middle fingers (interpersonal skills)

And the sad thing is those are the types of employees that have jobs.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

Wait a second - you're reviewing resumes for an Administrative Assistant? You who have posted how boring your job is - so boring that you email your married male friend 12X a day as well as posting on other CD forums? And you're part of the hiring process at your place of work? I'm speechless!

Originally Posted by email_lover

Things are so slow at work that they want to hire me an assistant.

Originally Posted by MissLucky

Between a dozen emails a day to your 'penpal' and a dozen threads a day on C-D, when do you really get time to work? Just curious.

Originally Posted by buzzpost

Pardon, but why would they want to hire you an assistant if things are so slow at work? Doesn't make sense.

Originally Posted by hopefulone

And the sad thing is those are the types of employees that have jobs.

The OP never has answered the question of why she has been asked to hire an Admin Asst when she has so much free time and "things are so slow" at work which begs a refrain of that old song, "Ooh that smell, Can't you smell that smell? That smell that surrounds you?"

Another bored Weekend Traveler, etc.

[Roselvr]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

The OP never has answered the question of why she has been asked to hire an Admin Asst when she has so much free time and "things are so slow" at work which begs a refrain of that old song, "Ooh that smell, Can't you smell that smell? That smell that surrounds you?"

Another bored Weekend Traveler, etc.

Actually looks like a Dear Abby column that's slow with all of the posts they've made

[Checkered24]

Isn't there a catch 22 here?

If I apply for a position I am well qualified for, with a lot of experience and skill, it would be difficult for me to highlight all my skills with examples of my experience in a one page (or two) resume and cover letter.

So it is prudent to select a few of the best examples, highlight them, and then briefly list some of other relevant skills.

Sending a 5 page list of examples of individual skills, or an essay describing them isn't going to get too far past the initial scan of resumes either.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by email_lover

It is amazing how resumes all start looking alike after awhile! Here are the most common statements on the resumes I am reviewing for an Administrative Assistant position:

Great oral and written communications skills
Proficient In Microsoft Office
Eagar and willing to work hard
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational skills
Quick Learner
Hard Worker
Team Player
Great Background

What do you think other hiring managers think when they see these statements on resumes?

The applicant is looking for an entry level job. Starbucks maybe?

Seriously, do people really put this garbage down? The alternative is what?

Total lack of oral and written communications skills. I stutter a lot.
Never used a computer in my life. What's Microsoft Office?
I really don't want to work but I need the money
Lousy with people.
Can't organized my closet and you're looking for organizational skills?
I'm stupid
Hard Worker but only if you are watching
Hockey Team Player
Lousy Background

Tell me something you can do that the rest of the world can not.

[ambarstone]

Originally Posted by email_lover

So there are 250 resumes submittted for the Administrative Assistant opening at XYZ Corporation and nearly all of them have these broad empty statements like:

Great oral and written communications skills
Proficient In Microsoft Office
Eagar and willing to work hard
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational skills
Quick Learner
Hard Worker
Team Player
Great Background

That this is really going to help an individual applicant? Why would it? These are filllers, wasted words. Anyone and everyone is going to claim that they are a quick learner or are eagar to work hard. The hiring manager has seen these silly fillers a thousand times.

How about instead think outside the box and describe some real accomplishments in your previous jobs. Give concrete examples of why statements like those above are true.

_____
I don't get your post. I am an admin and some of those "empty" lines are on my resume (maybe you've got it?). Admin is a service oriented role that depends on other people and what they want. We do the same thing over and over, everywhere, and are not responsible for bringing in more sales, taking executive decisions or anything important for that matter. One of the most important requirements is to be computer literate so "Proficient in MSO" is a valid "empty" line. Some of my "accomplishments" would be hard (and embarrassing) to put on my resume. A few examples:

Successfully shared a lipstick with my boss' wife (demonstrates flexibility)
Promptly cleaned the conference room after a meeting (no job too small)
Organized 1999 holiday party, helped the drunk to their cars (social)
Packed 500 boxes for moving the dept to another floor (hard worker)

Those "empty" lines as you call them are meant to be broaden in an interview and supported by testing, testing, and more testing. In the end, you meet all of the technical requirements and quite often, passed for the job because the employer "did not feel you were the right fit" - now, that is a vague, stupid and empty reason to deny someone a job!

I think you are expecting too much from an admin resume.
JMHO

[ambarstone]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

Isn't there a catch 22 here?

If I apply for a position I am well qualified for, with a lot of experience and skill, it would be difficult for me to highlight all my skills with examples of my experience in a one page (or two) resume and cover letter.

So it is prudent to select a few of the best examples, highlight them, and then briefly list some of other relevant skills.

Sending a 5 page list of examples of individual skills, or an essay describing them isn't going to get too far past the initial scan of resumes either.

Unless you are a very senior person, it is recommended to keep your resume to one page. For an admin is one page of repeating the same thing over and over, because we do about 80% of the same thing at every job.

[nomore07]

Job descriptions in some companies are vague and ambiguous. HR staff and recruiters demand resumes which are a perfect match for these descriptions.

The following were pulled from technical job listings which did not indicate any other skill requirements:

• We are currently seeking highly motivated and skilled individuals who are problem solvers and great team players.
• The successful candidate must be professional and articulate, interpersonally adept, a relationship builder.
• Provide input and participate in strategic planning sessions.
• Help define and establish common and advanced functions.
• Demonstrated success in independently applying a broad knowledge of effective development practices and principles to develop and implement key campaign programs and support.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, changing environment with accuracy and commitment to high standards of quality.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and internal/external customer service skills required.
• Self-motivated and team-oriented individual with the ability to drive results across departments.
• Must be able to establish and develop strong relationships with departmental leaders and champion teamwork.
• Ability to work well with diverse populations and in a team environment both inside and outside of the building.
• Must be proactive and strive for continuous improvement.
• Proficient in MS Office use; significant excel and database expertise.
• Provides long term recommendations and solutions for the ongoing enhancement of support operations.
• Provide upward and lateral communication and coordination that sufficiently addresses expectations and project status.
• Make recommendations to ensure that current and future needs are met.
• Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures.