How to Fluff Your Resume: Use it In Your Favor

Writing a resume can be one of the greatest challenges of job searching. While it is tempting to fill a resume and add information that may not be relevant, it is advised you avoid extending the document with any details that are not directly related to the job you are seeking.

If you feel the need to make your resume a bit more interesting, consider using a narrative resume format. Here, you can tell a story instead of simply listing bullet points. This type of document is a great way of providing employers with an overview of your skills and experience in a narrative format while avoiding unnecessary fluff.

Enhancing Your Resume

If you need to know how to fluff a resume and still have its appeal to employers, here are some great tips. As you start searching for the perfect job, you will have start by creating a CV that will attract attention and make you stand out. Even if there is not a long list of employment history, there are things that can be included when writing a CV  that will enhance the document and let potential employers see what you can offer.

While learning how to fluff your resume, you might also wonder, does GPA matter for engineering jobs? We’ve got a detailed guide to answer that question and help you understand the significance of GPA in the engineering profession.

If you are a recent graduate, it will be obvious that you have little or no on-the-job training. You can still create an impressive resume by including information on your educational experiences. This is often the strongest asset of those entering the workforce. Always include schools attended as well as any special achievements, such as being on the Chancellor’s or Dean’s List. If you have studied abroad, include this. Many employers will easily be impressed with academic achievements.

How to Fluff Yor Resume Without Lying

You may be tempted to add some details that may not be entirely true. This is a crucial mistake. If you want to know how to fluff up a resume, there are ways this can be done without lying. Lying on a resume occurs when you intentionally provide false information or even when you omit details with the intent of impressing a hiring manager. Unfortunately, telling some lies on a resume is very common and many applicants may not be aware that some of their claims are considered lies. Here are a few examples of lying:

• Exaggerating skills
• Embellishing your role in former positions
• Extending dates of employment
• Altering a job title
• Claiming to have earned a college degree

The best way to prevent lying is by using a standard format when creating the document. It should contain important and relevant details. Always start with an opening statement that is your objective. Follow this with your work history and then list your educational experiences. Make a small section of soft and technical skills if you need to extend the document and add some legitimate resume fluff. The next sections can contain information on certificates earned, specific achievements or awards, and finally volunteer positions or community involvement.

Should I Fluff Up a Resume?

While you may want to make your CV longer, it is not always a good idea to include fluff. Sometimes this can hide your strongest points. Try making the document short and to the point, including relevant experiences and skills that can be used in the job in which you are applying. A common mistake is using fancy words that make your qualifications seem more than they are. To avoid this, there are professional resume writers that can help create the perfect document that will not be full of fluff and will attract the attention of employers.

Do Employers Care If I Fluff on a Resume?

When you are applying for a job and providing your CV, employers want to be able to quickly scan the document and find important details. They will have many applications to review and will not want to deal with documents that are loaded with fluff.

On average, a hiring manager will only spend 7 seconds scanning your resume. This means you need to make the best of that time and highlight your skills and abilities only. By adding irrelevant information and fluff to fill space, the hiring manager is more apt to pass right over your document and on to the next.

To make sure that you stand out in the crowd, take time to fine-tune your resume before submitting it. Remove any irrelevant bobbies or interests and narrow down the list of soft skills, only including those that will be beneficial in the position. When listing employment, only list jobs held in the last 10 to 15 years and only list 4 or 5 positions related to the job you are seeking.

How Do I Write a Resume When There is Nothing to Add?

If you find you are coming up short when creating a resume and have nothing to add, there are some things to consider. Need to know how to fluff your resume? There are ways of padding your resume so that it includes relevant information even if you have no past experience. Skills that are valuable to an employer do not always come from employment. The key is listing experiences that will be impressive and will be useful in performing the job.

Here are some sources where you may have learned skills and you can use them when writing CVs:

• Volunteer positions
• Youth organizations
• Extracurricular activities
• Part-time or seasonal jobs

Conclusion

Creating a perfect document for a perfect job is always a challenge. While you may be tempted to enhance the CV by over exaggerating, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Employers will know when you pad your resume and will be looking for documents that are clear and concise. Whether you are preparing a traditional or unsolicited resume, it must be honest and straightforward.

What is an unsolicited resume? This is one that is submitted even when there are no job postings. Employers will often keep that document on file for when positions open up, provided you have impressed hiring managers with a stellar document.

FAQ

• Do I need a different resume for every job I am applying to?

Yes. It is suggested that you tailor your CV for every position. Take time to alter key points and be sure you include pertinent information related directly to the job.

• How long should it be?

Employers want to be able to quickly scan it and get a good idea of your skills and experience. Keep it to one or two pages, but avoid only filling half a page. Use bullet points for lists and avoid using too many descriptive words.

• Should I include keywords?

Yes. Always use keywords when creating your document. These are words that will demonstrate skills. This can help you get through applicant tracking systems that companies use to value and rank applicants.