GETTING RID OF TATTLETALE WORDS IN YOUR RÉSUMÉ
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Editor: Do-it yourself editing secrets for authors: From your query letter to final manuscript to the marketing of your new bestseller
People in all walks of life work mightily on perfecting their résumés and other career-building documents and then forget one vital step. An editor. Preferably an editor versed in all the elements of writing including grammar, punctuation, storytelling … wait! Storytelling?
Yes. And some other surprises like marketing— and a little knowledge about psychology won’ t hurt either.
The list is long but it can be shortened by thinking“ experience.” A broad range of experience. So, no, your high school English teacher may not be your best choice. Nor, your mother who“ did really well in English.”
There are a whole lot of tattletale words you shouldn’ t use in your résumé or related documents like biographies, proposals, query letters, and media kits. All of these documents are designed to convince the reader of your ability to do the job— your expertise— and to nudge your career( or product) toward success. So what are those words? And how do they relate to storytelling? Ambitious is one of the most frequently used tattletale words. It seems like a wasted word doesn’ t it. A couple more that mean little because of overuse or are downright laughable are highly motivated or responsible. That you are writing this document is an indication that you are ambitious.
This is where that storytelling thing comes in. You tell a little story that subtly shows the responsible, ambitious, or highly motivated aspect of your work habits. Using the age-old writers’ motto,“ show, don’ t tell,” will keep your reader from asking— often with a touch of irony— what makes you ambitious. King Midas was ambitious. Maybe your reader assumes your father got tired of seeing you playing video games and you got ambitious only when it looked as if the couch would no longer be a good place to park yourself.
So what is your story? Tell about the upward movement in your chosen career or even between careers— how one informs the other and gives you knowledge and a dimension that no other applicant is likely to have.
CAROLYN HOWARD- JOHNSON
AUTHOR, BOOK PROMOTER
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WINTER 2017