Resume Inflation: Top 5 Overstatements

The Bluster and Blarney of Today’s Job Seeker

Filling out your job history? Why settle for being a waitress when you can be a Dining Experience Liaison? While there’s nothing wrong with being a garbage collector, Waste Management Technician does have a certain ring to it. These types of exaggerations, termed “resume inflation” are on the rise, nudged by a competitive job environment and a culture that insists our resume should reflect our uberselves.

While some job candidates are experts at taking hyperbole to its outer limits, employers have an eye for resume padding even if you’re not an outright fabulist. Don’t say we didn’t warn you – here’s some of our favorite examples of bluster and blarney providing HR departments with colorful reading.

Top 5 Resume & Application Overstatements

1. Job Titles

Job titles like Genius and Sandwich Artist don’t even raise an eyebrow in today’s landscape. But some, whether Assistant Director in a department of two, or Innovation Sherpa in a technology company, just don’t pass the smell test. Hiring directors are up to their lapels with jargon. Put your best face forward, but think twice about listing your job title at a call center as Communication Executive.


2. “In Transition”

We’d all prefer to consider ourselves in transition when we don’t have a steady paycheck, but any potential employer knows that means unemployed. There’s no shame in being employment challenged. But if the story you’re sticking to is that you’re in transition, how you’re spending your time during this evolutionary stage better be compelling, and include things like training for a new career or building skills by volunteering.

3. “People Person”

This phrase had its heyday decades ago, but some applicants haven’t retired their people person status either in their resumes or introductory letters. These “people” people probably just want to emphasize their outgoing personality and willingness to plan the office Christmas party, but today’s typical people person also can wear the mantel of social maven.  Translation: they’ll spend more time on Facebook than on the monthly inventory report. If you interface well with clients, say so, and explain whether your skills are in answering the phone or negotiating a multi-million dollar deal.

4. “Results-Oriented”

Many applicants showcase their value with strong phrases like “results-oriented”. Trouble is, this can prompt the red flag brigade for application-weary employers hungry for details about your accomplishments. Phrases like this are dead weight if you don’t provide actual results to support your powerful turns of phrase, and they have a tendency to sound like you’re masquerading simple job duties as successes. According to a recent piece in Business News Daily, even the mere appearance of the phrase can land your resume in the circular file. Runner up: “was instrumental in” – you better not mean playing second flute in the high school band.

5. “Excellent”

Finally, this is your resume, not a Bill and Ted Adventure, and if your typing fingers are itching to upgrade your accomplishments as “outstanding” or your skills as demonstrating “expertise”, sit on your hands until the feeling passes. Your resume is fact-based, and opinions about your awesomeness quotient should be red-lined and left to those qualified to put the gloss on your abilities – like your references, who exist to sing your subjective praises.


Have you encountered a particularly egregious resume or job applciation euphemism, overstatement or outright misrepresentation? Let us know!

SPOTLIGHT: Skilled Manufacturing

Skilled Positions Beckon Job Seekers in Maine & New Hampshire

Manufacturing plays a prominent role in the nation’s economy, but a skills-job mismatch continues to challenge the industry. While some experts consider the skills gap in manufacturing an exaggeration, it’s a reality for employers in Maine and New Hampshire. Scan regional job boards, and you’ll likely see a number of openings in manufacturing: CNC and Manual Machinists, skilled Machine Operators, and Technical Production jobs are in high demand, as employers and staffing companies vie for these desirable workers with the experience and knowledge needed to keep operations humming.

"With the economy improving and production ramping up at many companies, the demand for these workers is big," said Tracey Chase, BONNEY Staffing Center Branch Manager in Auburn. "If you’ve got the skill set we’re looking for, I can place you in a great paying job on the day you walk in to our office.”

Skilled manufacturing jobs require specialized skills in a trade or in operations that can range from industrial machining to applications engineering. CNC Machinists are in particular demand, according to Chase. CNC Machinists work in setup and operation of computer numeric controlled (CNC) heavy machinery to produce parts and tools from metal, plastic or other materials. Manual machinists, another in-demand job, work in a variety of industries operating drill presses, mills or lathes, for example. While entry level positions can start at minimum wage, those requiring skills and experience can exceed $25/hour, and lead to higher salaried jobs down the line.

While salaries can be attractive, job seekers can’t just walk into skilled manufacturing positions. Training, education, or experience – and sometimes all three – is required. According to Krista Thurlow, BONNEY Branch Manager in Windham, the demand for employees with technical math, along with trades such as electromechanical skills & precision machining is through the roof.

The need for specialized skills has led to hiring challenges for businesses ramping up and those just recovering from the fog of recession. Vacant positions have even led some employers to target women, as they make efforts to broaden training and recruitment. Thurlow said she has seen more women in high skilled manufacturing jobs, especially in technical positions. Veterans represent another potential recruiting source, as many have the technical expertise and discipline gained in their service that can translate to the civilian sector.

In the current climate, even recent graduates are well-positioned to leverage their education and accumulate experience on the job. "Recent grads often have a combination of theory plus at least some hands-on experience. We do have employers who will hire recent grads who can be trained and developed on the job, and pay rates will go up," Thurlow said. "The job that starts at $15/hour can become a $28/hour job."

Wanted: Highly Skilled Workers for High Quality Jobs

Most industry experts agree that filling the skills gap in manufacturing requires collaboration with educational institutions. By coordinating training with the realities of the job market, community colleges, training programs, and even high schools can better prepare students with relevant skills. In the shorter term, a focus on worker retraining and providing opportunities to current employees can fill voids and create valuable workers.

Across the nation community colleges are ramping up degree programs and recruitment in related areas. In Maine, a bill in Congress aimed in part toward the need for workers in the manufacturing sector was introduced last year to allow tax credits for apprenticeship training. In addition, the Maine House Speaker proposed a $5 million initiative last month, meant to boost the partnership between manufacturers and community colleges in the state. Some employers have responded with opportunities to be certified as part of employment, offers of in-house training, and competitive salaries.

Training for skilled jobs in the industry can be a long-term commitment, but the payoff is worth it. Advantages of skilled manufacturing and machining jobs include promotion opportunities, job security, and good pay – skilled manufacturing exceeded average worker pay in 2013 by 24% according to the National Association of Manufacturers. And, manufacturing is a crucial cog in the wheel of a successful economy. In short, if you are a job seeker in Maine and New Hampshire, skilled manufacturing is calling.

The Bottom Line On Skilled Manufacturing for Job Seekers

If you have the skills, contact a reputable staffing company. Companies that specialize in job placement have good-paying positions that start immediately, and they’ll help you find an employer that fits your needs and skill level.

If you’re seeking a career, consider manufacturing. Local colleges, training programs, adult education, and apprenticeship programs are strengthening their manufacturing focus. By joining them, you’ll be training for a career with longevity and mobility.

If you’re a woman, consider manufacturing. Employers are broadening their reach, and that means positions traditionally held by men welcome women in manufacturing, machining, production and manual labor.

If you’re a veteran, consider manufacturing. Many of the skills you learned will be transferable to high-paying civilian job.

If you are willing to learn on the job, find an employer that will work with you. Ask a reputable staffing company about employers willing to train on the job or collaborate with employees on training opportunities.