World of Warcraft -- on a resume.
I know it sounds dumb, but what if I told you the geeky info helped someone land two big jobs?
CNNMoney reports Stephen Gillett, the chief operating officer at Symantec, an online security firm, has touted his WoW credentials to become an executive at Starbucks and Symantec.
Gillett: "Some people look at it and say, 'What the hell is this?' And others will be like, 'That's exactly what I'm looking for.'"
Bingo. Gillett knew Starbucks and Symantec wanted a person with serious computer skills. So he tailored his resume to reflect that qualification. (Even though he probably sounds like Randy Marsh on South Park.)
How do make your own resume exactly what an employer needs? Understand the audience inside and out. For instructions, read "Why No One Wants to Hire You."
As you adjust your resume, also make sure to cut these nine items. They are unnecessary and won't help a bit.
1. Anything from high school
You're an adult in the real world -- yeah, this real world. After college, nothing from high school counts anymore.
If you're a recent grad and need to lean on college credentials, select the best stuff and not every single club you joined.
Treasurer of your freshman dorm? Wow! When can you start!?
The difference between you and a job is the ability to quickly explain yourself.
- People don't have time to read about everything you did.
- You need to decide what matters and what needs to go.
- If you only had four bullets, what would they be?
- Because after four points, the reader wanders off and...
Hey! Come back here. Not done yet.
3. A list of your college classes
What matters more: a course you took on business management or the "company" you created through a class project?
Employers don't care you took Supply Chain Management 357. They do care about the skills you gained from it.
Again, if you must rely on college, spare the course titles and focus on the experience.
"Maintained a large database and assisted with organization's fundraising efforts."
That's the worst way to put it. Where are the specifics? The sizzle?
"Maintained a database of 42,000 donors and helped the organization raise $11.4 million during the 2013 capital campaign."
See? Details make all the difference.
A two-page resume from a 20-something is highly questionable. That means three is completely out of the question.
Give employers a tight, shrewdly worded one-pager. Don't make it longer to "impress" them. It won't.
6. The words "such as" and "utilize"
"Such as" and "utilize" scream I want to come off smart in the worst way please hire me k thanks bye.
Exchange "such as" for "like" and "utilize" with "use."
Oh, and don't use "amazing." It's overdone.
Yes, of course you know how to use Word. So does your grandmother. You can leave this "skill" off the list.
8. The phrase "responsible for"
How many times does it appear in your resume? "Responsible for" is flat and uninteresting; go with words like "oversee" and "managed." Those demonstrate leadership.
9. Selfish mission statement
"I am an energetic marketing professional who enjoys social media management and developing branding strategies."
Stop thinking of what you like to do. You don't matter here.
Start thinking of what the company needs.
"I am an energetic marketing professional who wants an opportunity to help your company build its brand and grow business."
The difference in tone is striking.
What other parts of a resume need to go?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.