Between my work as a college advisor and career counselor and in my consulting work now, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes. Hundreds. So when I see students attempting to "stand out" by using big words they'd never use in real life or overly-embellished descriptions, I want to scream.
Look, you weren't a "financial business transaction facilitator," you were a cashier. Please just say cashier on your resume. You didn't "disseminate program information to solicit potential donors," you handed out flyers on the quad for a club fundraiser. Just say that. Adding this fluff doesn't make you stand out, it makes you look untrustworthy, naive, and even foolish to the person reading your resume.
Ugh, just don't do it. Don't rely on gimmicks to get you noticed. It's kind of like lying. And there is a big difference between highlighting things and lying on your resume, so don't even think about crossing that line. For example, let's say you are an assistant that works at the front desk of a marketing firm. Saying you are a "Front Desk Assistant" would be highlighting your position with a working title and calling yourself a "Communications Facilitator" would be lying.
On your resume it's okay to use a working title (like Front Desk Assistant) instead of a payroll title (like Assistant II), as long as it's something that your boss would be comfortable calling you and accurately describes what you do without making it sound more important. It is never okay to make stuff up just so you sound more accomplished.
Your positions and accomplishments can stand out without the big words and over-embellishment. Please stop trying to beef up your resume with this type of fluff. Trust me, the people reading your resume know the difference.
Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.
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