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