It is common advice given to job seekers to sprinkle keywords from the job description into their resumes. However, if you don’t possess any of the skills listed in the job description, please don’t include them anyway in your resume just to reflect the language. Although it may seem like you can get away with it now, it will eventually be exposed during the interview process. You do not have to possess all the skills or keywords listed in the job description to apply. As a general rule of the thumb, try to match at least 80% of the requirements.
As a professional resume writer, I would never advise anyone to fabricate any details on their resume. Only if you can back it up in the interview, you should include such skills on your resume. As long as you can confidently explain your contributions to a prospective employer when asked face-to-face, you are not lying.
For example, if you are not good at oration don’t highlight it on your resume. If the job requires you to stand up in front of a group of people and deliver a message on a daily basis, you will probably fail miserably when this is gauged during the interview.
YOU MUST GET THE MESSAGE JUST RIGHT…… NOT TO EXAGGERATE…… AND ALSO NOT TO UNDERSELL.
Here is a quick example:
⌛ Statements that undersell you:
Managed the recruitment function of an IT startup
Supervised a team of 2 members to hire candidates.
⌛ Statements that exaggerate:
Managed candidate traffic and fulfilled all manpower requirements daily.
Coordinated hiring and training of all new employees
⌛ Statements that are just right
Doubled the headcount of an IT start-up within a year.
Reduced dependence on external vendors by 30% by training internal teams on sourcing strategies.
A resume can be perceived as weak if it’s too understated. In contrast, a highly exaggerated version has the potential to end your candidacy before, during, and even after you may have joined a company, with long-term and adverse effects.
Respect the fine line between smart resume packaging, ineffective understatement, and outright lying or exaggerating.
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How are you depicting your professional journey on your resume?
Underselling myself
Exaggerating my journey
Honest, Precise & Proper
A smart mix